110% Football

Udinese Vs Arsenal 

1-2: Champions League Qualifier

24/08/2011

Report

The first half got underway in what was a massive game for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal football club; if they don’t get into the Champions League the club will not be able to attract top quality players in my opinion. The start to the game was outstanding, both sides were flying, inside the first 30 seconds Gervinho broke down the left which opened up the Udinese defence but his final ball let him down as the keeper managed to cut it out, away from the onrushing Theo Walcott. The first shot on goal was only a minute later; again it was a good break forward by Arsenal, where Walcott got into a position 20 yards out to unleash a shot which the keeper beat away, the ball luckily falling to an Udinese player to clear.

Then Udinese’s first shot on target arrived after Frimpong gave the ball away, however the shot was easily held by Szcesny. On 8 minutes Di Natale put the ball in the back of the net, however it was offside which the replay proved the linesman gave the correct decision, an early warning for Arsenal though, no doubt about that. The first 15 minutes of the game had been the most open I have ever seen a football match it was truly great to watch. As the game means so much to both clubs I thought it might’ve been a bit cagey but absolutely not in this game.  

On 16 minutes Udinese hit the post! Great play down the right hand side, a nice one-two between two Udinese players got them away from Sagna , the ball crossed in towards Di Natale who gets pushed wide he crosses back in and a header comes in just off the post. Arsenal again under pressure, I thought that Gervinho could’ve helped to protect Sagna a bit better on a few occasion, he didn’t really track back at all.

Both teams got forward really well but just seemed to keep making the wrong decision when getting close to their opponents goal. Udinese looking really impressive down their right hand side, managing to get crosses in with ease.

On 25 minutes another chance goes begging for Udinese, going down the right again, crossed in by Isla to the near post, Di Natale gets across the front of his marker and smashes it against the post. Having seen the replay he does really well but possibly he should’ve hit the back of the net there been the quality player that he is.

5 minutes later it is Arsenals turn to have a foray forward, and it pulled a great save out of Handanovic! Cracking play down the left from Gervinho, he pulls it back to Walcott whose 1^st time shot is brilliantly turned away from Handanovic, the rebound drops to Van Persie and its Handanovic again making his second save in succession. Another chance went begging for Arsenal. Straight back up the other end there’s a good save from Szcesny, a long ball gets Di Natale in behind the Arsenal defence, with the angle narrowing he manages a shot on target which Szcesny manages to chest away.

The first goal of the game then arrived on 38 minutes, a great cross into the box found the head of Di Natale who expertly angled a looping header over Szcesny off the post and into the back of the net. Brilliant header from the Italian.

Halftime then arrived just in time for Arsenal who were looking like they were on the ropes a bit. Every attack from Udinese seemed to be resulting in a chance.

At half time, Rosicky replaced Frimpong, with Arsenal looking to go a bit more attacking to grab that away goal.

That goal for Arsenal arrived on 54 minutes, again it was Gervinho, with some great work down the left hand side, he pulled the ball back for Van Persie to blast home the equaliser, which meant Udinese now had to score 2 goals to get through.

Three minutes later Udinese were given the chance to get their comeback underway,  the referee gave a penalty after a handball from Vermaelen, Di Natale stepped up to take the Penalty which was expertly saved from Szcesny, diving to his right to tip over the powerful effort from the Italian striker. A really really top save from the young Arsenal stopper!

Arsenal then went further ahead 10 minutes later, Walcott broke through, yet again down the left hand side and finished clinically into the bottom left of the goal sending the keeper the wrong way. I have been quite impressed with Walcott during the game he’s made some great runs all match and seems to be becoming a better all round player. With Fabio Capello watching on I’m sure he’s done himself no harm!

The game then slowly petered out, a few chances for both sides but nothing of real note, apart from Szcesny pushing away a free-kick from Di Natale. Arsenal over 180 minutes fully deserve to go through and I look forward to seeing another English club in the Champions League this season. Arsenal go through with a 3-1 aggregate win.

This win will surely lowers the pressure on Arsene Wenger and allows him to focus on the last days of the transfer window to bring players in, with the players he is after now knowing they will play Champions League football if they head to the Emirates Stadium!