Extended highlights from Udinese v Arsenal
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Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
90
REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and David Hillier will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
90
ARSENAL ARE THROUGH TO THE GROUP STAGE: A mixed first half was followed by goals from Van Persie and Walcott and -- perhaps most importantly -- a world class save by Szczesny on a Di Natale penalty
Full Time FULL TIME: Udinese 1-2 Arsenal (1-3 agg)
90
VAN PERSIE LOOKS TO ADD ANOTHER: He fires from 20 yards, but Handanovic parries. Traore pounces on the rebound, but Handanovic steps up again
90
THREE MINUTES ADDED ON
90
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Arshavin comes on for Walcott
87
Yellow Card FABBRINI BOOKED
87
Substitution UDINESE CHNAGE: Pasquale on for Benaatia
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
This is just the tonic Arsenal needed. This result is big, and hopefully it will signal the start of many wins to come.
86
UDINESE FOUL: Armero catches Ramsey. Free kick to Arsenal
86
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Gervinho goes off for Armand Traore. What a game for the Ivorian!
Top Comments:
@justinforsyth on Twitter says:
Well done Arsene Wenger and Arsenal - skill and confidence tonight.
86
FOUL ON UDINESE: Armero catches Ramsey. Free kick to Arsenal
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke says:
Arsenal are frustrating Udinese, and in truth, the heart has gone out of the Italians now. They know they're out of the competition.
84
GOOD BALL FROM VAN PERSIE: He finds Walcott, but the Englishman can't keep posession
Top Comments:
@Chloeee_Wright on Twitter says:
Hopefully this is a turning point for us and we can win some more games!
83
Substitution UDINESE CHANGE: Denis comes on for Isla
82
ANOTHER CHANCE FOR DI NATALE: Szczesny makes the save off a free kick
82
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and David Hillier will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
81
FRANTIC DEFENDING FROM UDINESE: A big role reversal in the second half. Arsenal playing patient football
80
ARSENAL PRESSES FORWARD: Van Persie collects the ball at the edge of the Udinese penalty area, but can't find support and turns it over
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Rosicky's calmed things down. He just keeps the ball, keeps things ticking over and he's shown a good appetite for it.
79
MORE FROM DI NATALE: The striker broke free and looked to have another good opportunity, but he was rightly ruled offside
Top Comments:
@leonJPatterson on Twitter says:
The penalty save was a big turning point.
78
DI NATALE GOES FOR GOAL: Plenty of space for the Italian, but his shot is off-target
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal are confident and heading towards the group stage without any nerves.
78
ARSENAL LOOKING CONFIDENT: About 15 minutes and Udinese would need three goals to keep Arsenal out of the Champions League
75
YET ANOTHER BOOKING: This time it's Carl Jenkinson
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal have just looked so much more solid, so much more organised in the second half.
74
Yellow Card YELLOW CARD TO BENATIA
74
Yellow Card YELLOW CARD TO WALCOTT: The referee books Theo for his reaction to a challenge
73
Yellow Card YELLOW CARD TO SAGNA
Top Comments:
@Ben_Dunne on Twitter says:
Being an Arsenal fan just got a little sweeter!
72
THEO ON THE FLOOR: Walcott goes down in a heap in the Udinese penalty area after taking a an elbow in the jaw. He's back up and play restarts
69
FANTASTIC FINISH FROM WALCOTT: Theo Walcott bursts past the Udinese defenseon the left side, and knocks it just inside the near post.
Top Comments:
Tim Peters on Arsenal Player says:
Two excellent goals from Arsenal this evening, and they will now hopefully restore the confidence that's been lacking so far this season.
69
GOAL! - Theo Walcott 1 : 2 GOAL ARSENAL! Udinese 1-2 Arsenal (1-3 on agg)
67
GREAT SKILL FROM GERVINHO: The Ivorian gets through the Udinese defence and gets off a shot. Not too much behind it however, and Handanovic scoops it up
66
HOW ABOUT YOU? Feeling more confident? Get your comments on Twitter at #ArsenalLive - we'll publish a selection of them right here
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
I'd like to think Arsenal will use their greater Champions League experience now. They know what it's all about, they've just got to kill the game.
64
GERVINHO LOOKING CONFIDENT: Gervinho looks to find Van Persie with a cross, but a Udinese defender gets a piece of it before the Dutchman can pounce.
63
Substitution UDINESE CHANGE: Fabbrini comes on for Pinzi
61
RAMSEY GOES DOWN IN THE PENALTY AREA: No call from the referee and the play goes on
60
Yellow Card BOOKING
60
Looking at the replays, it was a handball on Vermaelen that led to the penalty decision.
Top Comments:
@magnificmanny on Twitter says:
Come on, Szczesny! This team is going places.
59
SAVE BY SZCZESNY! Di Natale goes for the corner, but a diving Szczesny reaches with his left hand to tip the ball over the cross bar. World class.
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
It was a powerful penalty, what a great save it was.
58
Yellow Card THE REFEREE POINTS TO THE SPOT: Vermaelen picks up a booking, Udinese gets a penalty, and we're not clear why
55
BRILLIANT FROM GERVINHO AND VAN PERSIE: Gervinho finds Van Persie, who knocks it home from five yards
55
GOAL! - Robin van Persie 1 : 1 GOAL ARSENAL!!! Van Persie gives Arsenal the lead on aggregate!
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
It's a big away goal, the pressure's right back on Udinese now. Arsenal's good work this half has paid dividends.
54
ANOTHER ARSENAL CHANCE: Theo tries to bend it inside the far post, but Handanovic saves again
52
GOOD CHANCE FOR ARSENAL: Beautiful delivery from Van Persie, but Song can't get his head on it. Handanovic saves
52
Yellow Card HOT TEMPERS ON THE PITCH: Isla picks up a booking for talking a bit too miuch
Top Comments:
@Asimyousuf on Twitter says:
Arsenal need to show more urgency in the second half, there's so much at stake.
49
PINZI GOES TO GROUND: Song not happy with the Udinese player's reaction
48
FREE KICK TO UDINESE: Near the halfway line after Gervinho and Di Natale get tangled
46
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SUBSTITUTION? Leave your comments on Twitter at #ArsenalLive
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Udinese smell blood, they fancy themselves. So far you have to say they've been good value for their lead.
Kick Off AND THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY
45
Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Tomas Rosicky comes on for Emmanuel Frimpong
Top Comments:
@SanjuroMartell on Twitter says:
We've done it before, you can do it again. All you need is an equaliser!
45
MIXED FIRST HALF: Arsenal have been looking strong in possession and on the attack, but Udinese's counter-attack has been causing problems. Di Natale had a number of good chances and his 39th minute header gave Udinese the lead and put them even on aggregate.
Half Time HALF TIME WHISTLE: Udinese 1-0 Arsenal (1-1 aggregate)
Top Comments:
Charlie George on Arsenal Player says:
The game's far too spread for me. Di Natale was never put under pressure - any player can play like that.
Charlie George on Arsenal Player says:
When we get into good positions we need to make sure we don't give it away. I'd like to see us take on more shots - we have created chances.
45
ONE MINUTE OF EXTRA TIME
45
NICE CONTROL BY WALCOTT: He nearly creates a scoring opportunity with a great first touch, but Udinese manages to knock out for a corner
43
POOR DEFENDING FROM ARSENAL: Djourou's clearance rolled straight to a Udinese player, but fortunately he fires it over the crossbar
Top Comments:
@A3360H on Twitter says:
Nervous about Arsenal now. Come on you Gunners, get us an away goal!
42
UDINESE KEEPING UP THE PRESSURE: The Italians get a throw in deep in Arsenal territory
39
1-1 ON AGGREGATE: The Udinese captain scores off a well-taken header that floated over Djourou and Szczesny
Top Comments:
Tim Peters on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal have just given Di Natale too many opportunities. You got the sense that eventually one may just go in.
39
GOAL! - Antonio Di Natale 1 : 0 GOAL UDINESE: Di Natale gets his goal
38
GERVINHO GIVES THE BALL AWAY: Udinese look to counter again, but Di Natale can't catch up to a long pass
36
UDINESE CORNER: Di Natale takes the kick. Arsenal defends the set piece well and pick up a throw-in
Top Comments:
@Silent_Mick on Twitter says:
Nice, open and quick-flowing game. Good for the unbiased viewer, horrible for us fans.
33
UDINESE COUNTER: Who else? Di Natale with the chance, but Szczesny blocks the close range shot and the rebound falls to Djourou at the edge of the six-yard box
32
SO CLOSE! Gervinho shows fantastic skill to find Walcott, whose shot is staight at Handanovic. Van Persie pounces on the rebound, but can't convert the follow-up
Top Comments:
Tim Peters on Arsenal Player says:
Gervinho is looking sharper by the moment.
30
MORE STRONG PLAY FROM DI NATALE: He beats Djourou, looks to make the cross, but Szczesny reaches high to collect the ball
Top Comments:
@RichRichardsUK on Twitter says:
I've never felt so tense watching a game of football...
29
VAN PERSIE FROM THE EDGE OF THE BOX: The Dutchman's right foot lets him down and he launches it over the cross bar
27
GOOD PLAY FROM SAGNA: The Frenchman is showing confidence on the left side. He nearly sets up Gervinho on the edge of the area, but Udinese intercepts
Top Comments:
@PrimetimeLou on Twitter says:
Such an open game so far! Exciting stuff.
26
FOUL BY FRIMPONG: He's not afraid to stick his foot in, but he may have been lucky not to see yellow
23
OFF THE POST! Di Natale shoots from the edge of the six-yard box, but fired at the post. He's looking VERY dangerous
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Udinese are beginning to get some real confidence now, they really are a threatening outfit.
22
HAVE YOUR SAY: Click on the Twitter button on this page, leave your comment at #ArsenalLive and it might just appear on our text commentary
21
DI NATALE LOOKING DANGEROUS: The Italian shoots from distance, but Szczesny is there to make the save
20
COUNTER ATTACKING FOOTBALL: Plenty of back and forth tonight. It might come down to who makes the first defensive error
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
It's a really open game, it's like a training game. This really is end-to-end stuff, this will suit Arsenal.
19
FREE KICK TO ARSENAL: Djourou fouled and Arsenal press forward quickly.
18
THEO JUST OFFSIDE: He nearly had a one-on-one chance, but the linesman didn't hesitate to raise the flag
Top Comments:
@GeneralOma on Twitter says:
Frimpong seems to be everywhere tonight...
16
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT: Di Natale chips the ball in for Armero, and the ball ricochets off the outside of the post
12
UDINESE COUNTER-ATTACK: Armero breaks down the left side, but his cross is poor and nothing comes of it
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal, to their credit, are knocking the ball about at will.
10
GERVINHO BREAKS FORWARD: The Ivorian tries a low shot across the face of the goal from the right side, but Handanovic makes the save
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Udinese are a counter-attacking side. They sit back, look to hit back in possession and they can be dangerous.
9
PHEW! Di Natale finds the back of the net with a remarkable finish, but was a couple of yards offside.
Top Comments:
@LionelTabifor on Twitter says:
My heart stopped for a second. Watch out for Di Natale!
8
FRIMPONG BREAKS UP PLAY: Pinzi goes down and is getting some treatment
7
RAMSEY SHOOTS: ball is deflected out for a corner
5
UDINESE SHOOTS: Frimpong gives the ball away, and Udinese's Agyemang breaks through the Arsenal defence. Rather weak shot and Szczesny saves.
4
ARSENAL OFFSIDE: Theo looks to break forward, but the linesman raises the flag
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
It's a different role for Ramsey tonight, he's playing in a more advanced position. He'll enjoy himself.
2
BRIGHT PLAY FROM ARSENAL: Theo goes for goal from 20 yards, but the Udinese keeper manages to parry the shot
1
EARLY CHANCE FOR ARSENAL - Gervinho gets past his mark on the left side and looks for Van Persie in front of the net, but Handanovic makes the save
Kick Off And we're off - Udinese on the attack
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
The main intention is to get on the score sheet. For Udinese to score three goals tonight is a big ask.
The teams have emerged from the tunnel and both look very determined as the Champions League anthem plays
Just over five minutes to go until kick-off. Are you ready Arsenal fans? Leave your comments on Twitter at #ArsenalLive - we'll publish a selection of them right here
It's about 35 minutes to kick-off and Arsenal have come out to warm-up. It's a sweltering night in Udine.
Top Comments:
Charlie George on Arsenal Player says:
I don't really see too many goals, I'll say 2-1 Arsenal.
Arsenal XI tonight: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Djourou, Sagna; Song, Frimpong, Ramsey; Walcott, Gervinho, Van Persie.
Top Comments:
@Joe__Pearson on Twitter says:
Team is looking good, finish the job today!
TEAM NEWS: Gervinho, Frimpong, Jenkinson start. Full team to follow
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Dan and Charlie will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
Dan Roebuck and Arsenal legend Charlie George are in the studio for today's match while former Gunner Adrian Clarke joins Tim Peters in the commentary box. As for me, I'm Kevin Mooney and I'll be providing the text updates.
Our coverage starts at 7.30pm (UK time) and kick off is 15 minutes later. Open up your laptop and visit player.arsenal.com to hear live audio commentary. If you're following the game on your iPhone or iPad you can listen and read our text updates too.
Theo Walcott's early strike gives Arsene Wenger's side a slender advantage after the 'first-half'. But this tie is still very much alive.
Welcome to Player's Matchday Show for unashamedly Arsenal-centric commentary of tonight's Play-Off second leg against Udinese.
Win or draw in Italy tonight, and Arsenal are in the Champions League. It is as simple as that.
Udinese
HANDANOVIC, Samir
DANILO
NEUTON
BENATIA, Mehdi
PASQUALE, Giovanni (87)
EKSTRAND, Joel
ARMERO, Pablo
ISLA, Mauricio
DENIS, Germán (83)
AGYEMANG, Emmanuel
ASAMOAH, Kwadwo
PINZI, Giampiero
FABBRINI, Diego (63)
DI NATALE, Antonio
BELARDI, EMANUELE
BASTA, DUšAN
PASQUALE, GIOVANNI
ABDI, ALMEN
DOUBAI, THIERRY
DENIS, GERMáN
FABBRINI, DIEGO
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
25 JENKINSON, Carl
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
20 DJOUROU, Johan
03 SAGNA, Bacary
25 SONG, Alex
12 FRIMPONG, Emmanuel
07 ROSICKY, Tomas (45)
16 RAMSEY, Aaron
14 WALCOTT, Theo
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey (90)
27 GERVINHO
03 TRAORE, Armand (86)
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin
21 FABIANSKI, LUKASZ
03 TRAORE, ARMAND
54 MIQUEL, IGNASI
07 ROSICKY, TOMAS
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, ALEX
23 ARSHAVIN, ANDREY
29 CHAMAKH, MAROUANE
Top Comments:
@latito_za on Twitter says:
Di Natale has run out of options of how to beat Szczesny!