Match Preview: Champion’s League Qualifier Arsenal v Udinese Calcio (1st Leg)

When the Champion’s League qualifier was about to happen a lot of Gooners I spoke to were nervous that Arsenal could draw giant killer Rubin Kazan. Instead we’ve got drawn with Udinese who finished 4th in Serie A. And now all the news is that Arsenal could well be on their way out to the Europa Cup. Well, tonight all the speculation gets put aside and the teams actually take the pitch tonight for the first leg of the Champion’s League qualifier.

What makes Udinese difficult for Arsenal is that is not a squad typical for Italian football and would likely be more comfortable playing in Spain where technical skill isthe focus of the game. They were the darlings of the season last year in Serie A and were applauded wherever they went with their young talent and skillful displays.

While they maintain Serie A’s best striker for the last two seasons in Di Natale they’ve lost key players. Alexis Sanchez  who happened to be the team’s assist leader is now plying his trade at Barcelona. Gohkan Inler has also departed and was the heart of the midfield and they lost arguably their best defender in Christian Zapata. Still,  they’ve moved quickly to replace players and they’ve brought in 21 year old Diego Fabrini. Fabrini is versatile like Sanchez and can play in a forward role similar to Baggio, Totti and Del Piero or as a winger. He looks to take players on one on one and use his skill and pace to out wit opposing defenders.

Udinese have also brought in Danilo Larangeira to replace Inler and Sergio Piccolo Neuton to replace Zapata. Whether or not they can integrate quick enough remains to be seen. Udinese have a penchant for starting slow in their seasons so how they fair with this type of match early on is anyone’s guess.

As for Arsenal, well, they be without suspended and newly minted team captain, Robin Van Persie and want-away midfielder Samir Nasri. Additionally, they will be without rising English star Jack Wilshere. They obviously will be without newly signed Barcelona midfielder, Cesc Fabregas. So from the outward signs, it is a large task that lays ahead for the Gunners.

It’s not hard to imagine that this tie and the next few EPL matches are definining moments for Wenger and this Arsenal club. It will be interesting to see if anything that has been said in the press or happened in the transfer market acts as a galvinizing moment for the players. For them it must seem like a constant barrage of news and dire predictions.  If you like me, believe that part of this game is mental then you have to believe that they can rise above the din of frustration and overcome this challenge.

Statements from both Aaron Ramsey and Andrei Arshavin indiciate that the players sense they are under seige by the media and by the fans. They’ve said they realize the magnitude of what is they have to do and they are ready to perform. Arshavin has come out again and once again reiterated his goal scoring target – 15 for the season. While it seems a small thing, it shows that at the very least the players sense what is going on and what role they must play.

For Arsenal the stakes are high. If the club fails to move out of the qualifying round a run of 15 years of Champion’s League football ends. So does the enhanced revenue that comes with it. I hate bringing up money but if money is part of the primary focus of this club then losing a spot in the Champion’s League has to weigh heavily on the organization.

I honestly believe that one of the reasons we have not heard of any further signings is they wait on the results of this one match. If Arsenal eek a draw or win – then they will likely release the funds. If we lose – well I don’t expect money to be spent until the second leg is resolved.

Either way there are interesting times for Arsenal, its players and its fans. How it all shakes out right now is open to any one’s best guess. Since I am going to remain bullish on the club let’s just say our record against Italian clubs is impressive and our record in playoffs is even more impressive, 4 playoff rounds, 8 matches, 21 goals scored, 2 conceded. Let’s hope we stay true to form in all accounts.

How the Match Should Play Out:

Early indications are that Udinese intend to line up in a 4-1-4-1 with Di Natale alone up top. This will allow them to take advantage of their young wingers feeding the striker. Arsenal are either going to go with their requisite 4-2-3-1 or a straight out 4-3-3. My preference would be for a 4-4-2 with Gervinho and Bendtner up front. That’s right I said Nicky B. Wenger dropped a hint that he intends to play the Danish striker in this match. Look for Arsenal to play keep away from Udinese. Something they are always prone to do. The key will be what the do with the ball in the Italian’s final third. If we are going with the 4-2-3-1 I’d like to see Walcott up front with service from Gervinho and Arshavin.  To me that offers our best possible solution to winning this match. I am looking for a gutsy performance from the Gunners. The key will be if they can score more than their opponent.

Projected Starting XI:

Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs, Ramsey, Song, Rosicky, Gervinho, Arshavin, Walcott

YAMA Prediction:

Arsenal: 1
Udinese: 1

Something Extra:

This weekend I was interviewed by the great guys over at Arsenal Review USA. During the interview we discussed my thoughts coming out of the Newcastle match as well as my thoughts heading into tonight’s Udinese clash. I was pretty guffed to help them kick of the season and be quickly followed by Jamie Sanderson of Young Guns Blog.

If you don’t know what Arsenal Review USA is, its a free weekly podcast for the Gooners here in the US. The Podcast is free for download and available via iTunes. If you’d like to listen and subscribe you can get this week’s installment right here:

http://t.co/tPys2wV

Finally, we close with this. In a move that was expected, Robin Van Persie has been named Captain of Arsenal replacing the departed Cesc Fabregas. Thomas Vermaelen is the teams new vice-captain and will wear the arm band tonight for the suspended Van Persie. Van Persie had this to say about his appointment as Captain:

“As captain you are an ambassador for the Club and I’m ready for that,” Van Persie told the Official Matchday Programme. “I’ve been in the game now for more than ten years, so I know how this world works.

“When I was 18 I didn’t have a clue! Every day I was always surprised by something, when I went to training or when I had a game, every day was just one big surprise for me. How people reacted after the game – the fans, players, media – it was all a surprise to me, I was just thinking about playing football.

“But now I know how things work and I understand that certain actions have consequences. I know that quite well, I feel experienced, so I feel ready for this. I know that every single player represents their club anyway, everywhere you are, 24/7. I’ve been dealing with it for a few years now, so I know what my part is.

“You should always try to show respect, and this is just basic stuff that all human beings should have in their life – just being nice to people. It’s the little things, like giving people a minute of your time in the street, you show them respect, and live with your principles on life.”