Arsenal holds on to their luck to win 1-0 against Udinese at home in the 1st leg of Champions League play-off but not without adding more woes to their squad as Gibbs and Djourou limped off the field.
Arsenal wins but fails in players
Arsenal manager urged the team to stand united for better and response is shown by the youngster on Tuesday match against Udinese. There is no Febregas has he left to Barca a day earlier in 35m Euro, no Nasri and Van Persie has both serving their ban and finally no Wenger has he also serving a touchline ban after a fallout in last season match against Barca, yet Arsenal young team started so positively that they managed to score once and miss two within first 10 minutes of the match. Walcott returning from injury netted the first goal in just 4 minutes from Ramsey cross but after that it’s an old story of misery for Arsenal as they struggled to finish the game by missing easy chances to score and Udinese gained confidence to post lot of threats to Arsenal defense which looked tattered.
At the half time, Arsenal forced to make their first change as English International Gibbs reportedly having tight hamstring by Djourou. But it was just 9 minutes for Djourou on the field as he limped off and the new signing Carl Jenkinson made his debut for Arsenal by playing rest of the game. Arsenal defense looked clueless in most times as they committed mistakes one after another but luckily it doesn’t cost them any as Udinese missed the post so nearly atleast three times. If this is the team for Arsenal this season, then it’s going one long hop for their players and manager Wenger.
Even before thinking about second leg, they need to prepare for hot clash against Liverpool this weekend. With Gervinho set to serve his three match ban, Gibbs and Djourou doubtful, Eboue set to join Galatasaray as both clubs agreed terms, Vela left for Spain on season long loan spell and lastly Nasri also confirmed that he will move to Man City soon, it’s going to be long three days for Wenger as he prepares his team for crucial match against Liverpool.
Nasri said “it’s nearly done. I will leave with bitterness and anger in my heart. I am proud for having played with the Gunners. I have been very disappointed by the supporters last weekend. I am still an Arsenal player but I will leave very soon”. Nasri decision was expected to happen any time with Cesc leaving the team strengthening his request for move.
On better note, lots of money is going to come and Wenger can now target any best player he wants as already many of them been linked from Tevez to Samba to Arsenal.
Tags: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Champions League, Johan Djourou, Kieran Gibbs, Udinese
