Live: Udinese vs Arsenal

Please scroll down below for the LIVE Text Commentary of the Champions League Qualifier between Udinese and Arsenal.

Arsenal and Udinese fight it off in the second leg of the Champions League Qualifying match tonight at the Stadio Friuli tonight, hoping to get into the Group Stage of Europe’s elite competition. Arsene Wenger’s team may hold a slender 1-0 lead from the home leg but they are far from the confident and seasoned side that should be traveling to the Friuli to take on the Serie A fourth place finishers. Marred by the recurring injury to Jack Wilshere and the back injury to Laurent Koscielny, a deflated Arsenal side, devoid of Samir Nasri who has just sealed his switch to Manchester City, will take on the Serie A contenders. Mood in the Arsenal camp is at an all-time low due to supporter unrest from the sales of Fabregas and Nasri and the failure to bring in proper replacements. The pressure on Arsene Wenger right at the start of the season is enormous.

Consolation for the Gunners camp little, one being the fact that Wenger will be allowed to sit in the dugout and boss proceedings as UEFA has postponed his two match European ban. Another good news is the return of new captain Robin Van Persie to the starting line-up as he has completed his European ban. As the Professor seeks to rebuild his crumbling empire, all could be lost if the Gunners exit without qualifying to the Champions League groups stages, and his position could come under more pressure.

Udinese may be a goal down but would have taken a lot of heart from their first leg performance where they showed a lot of attacking spirit, with captain Antonio di Natale in particular impressing the most in his inspirational best. Di Natale will look to lead the line with vigour tonight as Udinese look to spoil Arsenal’s party and take advantage of their low spirits. With home support to count on, the Italians will be invigorated to go for the kill and their attacking philosophy will be perfectly in line with Francesco Guidolin’s brief for tonight: Go for a 2-0 win.

Join us at 00:15 IST for kick off and LIVE TEXT commentary as we take you through the match with min. by min. updates and lively banter.

EXPECTED STARTING LINE-UPS:

Udinese: Handanovic; Ekstrand, Benatia, Danilo, Neuton; Badu; Isla, Pinzi, Asamoah, Armero; Di Natale

Arsenal: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Squillaci, Vermaelen, Sagna; Ramsey, Song, Rosicky; Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho

Udinese vs Arsenal