With a 0-2 loss at home to Liverpool last weekend, Arsenal go into their second leg of their Champions League playoff against Udinese with the club’s morale at an all time low.
I am certainly not one of those asking for Arsene Wenger to be sacked. Despite that rather embarrassing defeat against Liverpool at the Emirates, I was proud of the young lads who played for Arsenal. I was happy to see our players play with a lot of commitment and they only fell apart after the first goal. Apart from the lack of creativity, the young guns showed a lot of courage and skill against a superior Liverpool line-up, which packed creativity and experience.
But to be frank, Arsenal were over-run in all departments of the game. It showed that we do require some quality to come in if we aim to challenge for the title. But for now, Wenger’s attention should be solely on the second leg against Udinese.
This match holds great significance for Arsenal. A victory would certainly help the north London club in signing marquee players, as we’ll be able to offer Champions League football. It will also be a timely confidence booster before the weekend game against a red hot Manchester United side. And, most importantly, I don’t want to see ourselves playing in the Europa League alongside Tottenham!
Arsenal team new:
Alex Song and Gervinho will be available after they missed the league game against the Reds due to suspension, while Dutch striker Robin van Persie is also back from his one match European ban.
Emmanuel Frimpong is available after an impressive display on Saturday, which was cut short by an unfortunate red card.
Jack Wilshere is reportedly out for a further 3 weeks, while Johan Djourou and Tomas Rosicky are also expected to recover in time, though Kieran Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny, Armand Traore, Sebastien Squillaci and Abou Diaby are all out injured.
Samir Nasri is set to complete his move to Manchester City later today and as a result has not travelled to Italy with the squad.
Wojciech Szczsney was brilliant against Liverpool and so Lukasz Fabianski will have to wait a little longer to get his first start of the season.
Finally, with our array of talented youngsters like Ryo Miyaichi, Henri Lansbury, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ignasi Miquel likely to be on the bench, Arsenal should believe that they can come out with a positive result tonight.
Likely line-up:
Szczesny
Jenkinson Djourou Vermaelen Sagna
Frimpong
Song Ramsey
Walcott Gervinho
Van Persie
Udinese team news:
Though Udinese played it safe at the Emirates and almost stunned Arsenal, I expect them to tweak their tactics at home – they can’t go all out and risk conceding the crucial away goal. However, they will have to attack if they want to score two goals.
I think they’ll stick with a 4-4-2 system because the loss of Cristian Zapata and Gokhan Inler makes their favoured 3-5-2 a risky option against the Gunners, especially at the back.
Antonio Di Natale will be the focal point for the Serie A outfit, but the x-factor will be winger Pablo Armero. The Colombian international will try to get around young Carl Jenkinson and will be a regular threat to Arsenal’s defensive line with his dribbling abilities and pace off the ball.
Likely line-up:
Handanovic
Ekstrand Benatia Danilo Neuton
Badu
Isla Pinzi Asamoah Armero
Di Natale
Prediction:
Well, my predictions have been as good as Arshavin’s performances so far! But I’ll give it my best shot.
I believe Van Persie is the key to a good result. Udinese have to score goals so they’ll attack more than they did in London a week ago, and having not scored in over 180 minutes of football, our new captain will need to step it up a little.
Gervinho is improving and Theo Walcott has to do what he does best – not stick to the wings and get into central positions more often. I believe Wenger should contemplate playing both Frimpong and Song in order to give Aaron Ramsey more freedom going forward.
If Arsenal don’t score against a team that will surely leave space at the back, serious questions will be asked and they may be without Champions League football for the first time in over 14 years.
As an Arsenal fan, I see a 1-1 draw occurring, but I want us to win this game despite our recent troubles.
If you want me to be more honest, I think Udinese will pick up the win, but Arsenal will just scrap through on away goals.
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Our Wenger, who art in Emirates, qualification be thy name,
Transfers be done,
By August 31, in time,
To save our season,
Give us this day a good result,
And forgive us our poor discipline,
As we forgive those who commit fouls against us,
And lead us not into the Europa League,
But deliver us from mid-table,
For we are The Gooners,
The class and the history,
Together forever,
Amen.
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