Udinese vs. Arsenal Champions League Preview - Arsene Wenger's Decisive Night

It's a long time since Arsenal went into such a massively important game in such a state. After winning the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Udinese by the solitary one goal at the Emirates last week they go into tonight's match knowing that dropping out of the world's biggest footballing stage before the competition has really begun could bring with it irreversible long term damage to a team that is crumbling from within. Importantly the Gunners have Robin Van Persie back (and manager Arsene Wenger who has been granted permission by UEFA to stand on the touchline as their appeal against his two match ban for using a third party to communicate to the bench is still under review), but will start without Kieran Gibbs and Laurent Koscielny who both didn't travel to Italy. The game also comes hot on the heels of a very dispiriting defeat to Liverpool last weekend and is also sandwiched between a match against title holders Manchester United on Super Sunday and the sale of Samir Nasri to Manchester City, after finally clarifying exactly how much money his agent will be able to skim off the transfer. A relapse of Jack Wilshire's ankle injury has heightened the need for Wenger to strengthen most areas of the squad by September 1st but it's tonight's match that must be the focus for the long-standing Arsenal manager. The big decisions before the game will be whether Djourou or Song partners Vermaelen in central defence, whether Traore or Jenkinson plays at full back and over Emmanuel Frimpong (sent off at the weekend for simply being too over eager) or Tomasz Rosicky in midfield. Given that Traore hasn't played yet this season and Djourou has looked shaky to date, I think Arsenal will line up: Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Song, Jenkinson, Ramsey, Frimpong, Rosicky, Gervinho, Van Persie, Walcott Last week Udinese attacked with speed, however they were often reluctant to commit many players to each attack well aware that they had an additional 90 minutes at home to cancel out Theo Walcott's goal. Arsenal will hope that the lack of an away goal should prove decisive in their favour. They know if they score, then Udinese will need to score three times and that would seem to be a stretch. If they are to manage their own crucial away goal, Arsenal will need to involve Van Persie in this game more than they have involved a centre forward in any game so far this season. This will prove difficult as Walcott and Gervinho will need to support the fullbacks (especially Jenkinson) and so will need to cover a huge amount of ground in order to be effective in attack and useful in defence. Against Liverpool, Theo Walcott managed to lend cover to Jenkinson but wasn't as helpful in attack. Arsenal miss the direct running of Wilshire & Nasri and the passing range of Fabregas and they'll need whichever three players play in central midfield to demonstrate those qualities better than they have so far this season. They will also need to show more restraint in the tackle than they have done recently as they are unlikely to receive any favours away in Europe . This is a hard game to predict as the first goal is all important. The longer the game goes on without a goal, the slower and tenser the game will become. An early Udinese strike will open the game up, whereas an early Arsenal goal could effectively end the tie. This game will have huge implications for Arsenal's season, not just in who they play but the quality and numbers of signings they will hope to make before the transfer window closes. The general consensus is that Arsenal have budgeted to be in the last 16 of the Champions League, not making it means funds will be diverted from Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas fees to cover this gap in income rather than to replace them. The lack of the glamour and money of the Champions League will have a big impact on the potential signings of Yann M'vila, Marvin Martin and Gary Cahill as well as the unlikely target of Eden Hazard. If Arsenal can get through tonight, they should be able to regroup after the International break and get their season back on track. Losing doesn't bare thinking about. Prediction: Udinese 2 v Arsenal 1 (Arsenal through on away goals)