Arsenal Qualify for the Champions League - 1st Leg

Theo Walcott's fouth minute goal was enough to give Arsenal victory in the first leg of their Champions League qualifying tie with Italian side Udinese at the Emirates. This was Arsenal's first game without Cesc Fabregas as he had now joined Barcelona. Robin Van Persie and Samir Nasri were both banned for the match after serving a suspension picked up in last years Champions League. However Gervinho was allowed to play after being sent off at the weekend against Newcastle as the ban was not carried over into UEFA competitions, just FA competitions. Song was also allowed to play after being charged for the stamp on Joey Batron, also against Newcastle at the weekend. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was serving a touch line ban and had to sit in the stands. Jenkinson, Frimpong and Oxlade-Chamberlain were all on the bench. As Van Persie was suspended Thomas Vermaelen captained the side.

Walcott celebrates his goal

On just four minutes Arsenal took the lead. Sagna played Ramsey down the right who got forward and delivered the ball into the six yard box. Walcott was there to fire the ball into the back of the net to give Arsenal an early and important lead in the tie.

Udinese's first chance of the game fell to the Italian league's top scorer last season, Antonio Di Natale, as he saw his freekick beat Szczesny and then smash against the bar and come back out again.

Udinese again had a great chance to equalise as Armero broke from inside his own half and got through two Arsenal defenders before racing into the box. He then hit a shot straight at Szczesny who palmed away the ball but the rebound dropped to Isla but Song was in the way to block the attempt on goal.

The score at half time remained 1-0 despite Udinese's dominance. Johan Djourou was forced to come on at the break for the injured Kieran Gibbs, Vermaelen was pushed out to left back and Djourou came straight in at centre back.

The first chance of the second half fell to the visitors as Armero found Di Natale in the box but Djourou slid in to make the challenge on the Italian and blocked his shot.

Johan Djourou, the half time substitute then got injured and was forced to come off as Carl Jenkinson came on in his place. Vermaelen then went back into the centre of defence with Jenkinson playing at left back.

Then the visitors grabbed another chance on the hour mark as Isla out muscled Jenkinson down the right before firing a shot towards the far post but again Szczesny was there to save the shot.

Ramsey gets away from Asamoah

The Italian sides next chance fell to Armero as a corner was headed out of the box towards him, as it came to him he drove a shot towards the Arsenal goal but the ball went over the crossbar.

Arsenal then finally managed to create themselves a chance as Ramsey played Walcott through, who got a shot on goal but it was a scuffed shot and the ball fell kindly into the hands of Handanovic in the Udinese goal.

Di Natale then tested Szczesny with a free kick just as he had done in the first half as he curled a free-kick around the wall which Szczesny dived to his left to save the shot.

In the very last minute of the match Gervinho put the ball through to Walcott who from 8 yards out placed a shot towards the bottom corner but for Handanovic who made a brilliant save to keep the tie at 1-0 to Arsenal.

The final score finished Arsenal 1-0 Udinese.

The teams lineups: 

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs(45), Song, Rosicky(73), Ramsey, Walcott, Gervinho, Chamakh. 
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou(45)(55), Jenkinson(55), Frimpong(73), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin, Bendtner.

Udinese: Handanovic, Ekstrand, Benatia, Danilo, Neuton(60), Badu, Isla, Asamoah, Pinzi(88), Armero, Di Natale.
Subs: Belardo, Denis, Vydra, Abdi(88), Pasquale(60), Doubai, Fabbrini.

My man of the match: Wojiech Szczsesny

Referee: Kevin Blom

Attendance: 58,159