When the Champions League Third Qualifying Round draw was made, I think I'm right in assuming we would have all liked to avoid Udinese. Arguarbly the trickiest side in the pot, the Italians were strong in Serie A last year, bolstered by the firepower of club captain Antonio Di Natale.
But fate, in it's usual cruel twist, decided to carry on it's usual tradition of pairing us with the hardest side in the draw (Barcelona two seasons running anyone?) and handed us the most difficult qualifying tie since Everton's visit to Vilarreal in 2005.
Nasri is suspended for this one (shame! could have cup tied him!), as is Van Persie, whilst Jacky Boy misses out once more and Walcott and Ro-shitsky face late fitness tests. Any doubt on the former can only be a positive, and so it looks like we will see Emmanuel Frimpong starting in our threadbare midfield whilst Marouane Chamakh will spearhead the attack.
Arsene Wenger had this to say earlier today, "You never knock somebody from Italy out in an easy way so we prepare ourselves for big challenges. We are ready to give our all to be part of the Champions League group stage."
Udinese 'keeper Samir Handanovic added, "We know Arsenal is a strong team, they usually get eliminated only by Barcelona, but Arsenal are not only Fabregas, Nasri and Van Persie. We are different than one year ago too."
In other news, two more of the troops left our ranks today as Eboue sealed a 3m switch to Galatasary whilst Carlos Vela packed his bags for Spain once more in a year-long loan deal at Real Sociedad. Neither will be particularly missed, (particularly the former) though to let two utility men leave when we are already low on numbers seems somewhat baffling. Vela, I suspect, much like Denilson, will be 'on loan' from the club permanently.
Anyway, that's all for today. Here's hoping for a clean sheet tonight and a fair few goals to cushion us for the away leg!
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