Tough draw for Arsenal, not sure if it could have been any harder. After a tough start Udinese were one of the better teams in Seria A last season. They have sold Sanchez and brought in Diego Fabbrini to replace him. Fabbrini , one of Italy's rising stars was captain of Italy's U 21 and their best player at the last tournament. So it does not look like Udinese will be any worse than last season especially if Di Natale keeps banging in the goals.

The scheduling of these games doesn't help Arsenal,
13 August Newcastle v Arsenal
16 August Arsenal v Udinese
20 August Arsenal v Liverpool
24 August Udinese v Arsenal
28 August Man Utd v Arsenal


When you add Van Persie and Nasri being suspended for the first leg in London and the confusion surrounding Fabregas, Arsenal certainly have their work cut out for them.

It's not outside the realm of possibility for Arsenal to find themselves out of the Champions League and in trouble in the Premier by the end of August. Even Liverpool's season traditional last longer than that.

Champions League play-off draw:

Wisla Krakow v Apoel Nicosia

Maccabi Haifa v Genk

Dinamo Zagreb v Malmo FF

FC Copenhagen v Plzen

BATE v SK Sturm Graz

Odense BK v Villarreal

FC Twente v Benfica

Arsenal v Udinese

Bayern Munich v FC Zurich

Lyon v Rubin Kazan

Ties to be played 16/17 and 23/24 August

Yeah, I have been bantering with one of my Arsenal friends since this was announced. He normally fades from football just after Christmas once Arsenals season is all but over. He wrote today if they get knocked out of the CL he isnt going to bother going to any of the home games this season.

Haha, I really dont think Wenger understands the bad feeling towards him n the team from fans.

That was a good game to watch. Wide open first half, got a bit sloppy in the second half but livened up the last quarter of the game.

Both teams probably happy with the result. Arsenal keeps a clean sheet and have, Wenger Van Persie and Nasri? back for the return leg. Udinese only down 1-0 going back to Italy and looked capable of scoring today and should look better at home.

Going to be tight in Italy, the tie could still go either way.

Yeah I enjoyed the game too. Thought Udinese performed very well on the night, exactly as the guy from World Soccer Magazine predicted when speaking after the draw had taken place. He said Udinese were the toughest draw for Arsenal and don't be surprised if they beat Arsenal at the Stadio Friuli. Baring in mind Arsenal only take a 1-0 lead to Italy..... His words might end up being spot on.