Life without Cesc looks bleak
True, Arsenal won the first leg of their Champions League qualifier, but the manner of victory over relatively modest opposition was far from convincing, and one goal is a slender lead to take to Italy next week.
Failing to qualify for the Champions League proper would be a disaster for a club that has lost its best player and is about to lose another, if Samir Nasri joins Manchester City as expected.
Whatever Wenger says, this Arsenal side is not a patch on previous teams in his era, and he must address the situation while there is still time.
Udinese are hardly one of Europe ‘s powerhouses, but the way they ran midfield and cut though Arsenal’s defence time and again showed there is much for Wenger to address.
At least his side won, continuing Wenger’s 100 per cent record in these qualifying games. They got off to a flying start when Theo Walcott scored in the fourth minute with a goal of splendid simplicity. Bacary Sagna played a forward pass for Aaron Ramsey to run on to, and the Welshman bided his time until Walcott had raced into the area before putting in a low cross from the right. Walcott showed a cool head to open his body and sidefoot home from close range with his left foot.
Udinese’s defending looked poor and it seemed like a comfortable night was in store for the Londoners. But the Italians soon proved to be as stubborn in defence as they were lively going forward, and by half-time it was a surprise that no more goals had been scored, particularly by the visitors, who had the better chances.
Antonio Di Natale showed why he has been Serie A’s top scorer for the past two seasons with his relentless running as a lone striker. He hit the bar with a long-range free-kick in the 12th minute and then set up Mauricio Isla, only for Thomas Vermaelen to make a timely interception.
Udinese’s best chance came midway through the first half when Pablo Armero ran unchallenged from deep within his own half before shooting straight at Wojcech Szczesny.
Shortly before half-time Di Natale hit the woodwork again when his snapshot hit the outside of the post.
By contrast, Arsenal had not mustered a serious threat since the tenth minute, when Vermaelen got in Gervinho’s way as the two went for the same cross to the far post.
The natives started to get restless. Wenger, banished to the directors’ box after the events in Barcelona last season, sent messages down to his assistant Pat Rice in the dugout.
It would be too easy to blame the absence of Fabregas, or his successor as skipper, the suspended Robin Van Persie. Without the injured Jack Wilshere, who is expected to take over Fabregas’s role as the heartbeat of the side, Arsenal looked bereft of ideas or fight in key areas.
Aaron Ramsey has talent, but not the experience to impose himself on a game at this level, while Tomas Rosicky appeared to go AWOL once again.
Vermaelen, the acting captain, was the pick of Arsenal’s defenders but the competition was not exactly intense. Kieran Gibbs was replaced at half-time by Johan Djourou, who limped off ten minutes later to make way for rookie Carl Jenkinson.
Di Natale continued to cause problems, being denied by Djourou’s last-ditch challenge as he went round Szczesny shortly after half-time.
Walcott was given a similar run on goal, in the 70th minute, but his final prod at the ball was so weak it could barely be called a shot.
The England winger faded more as the game wore on, hitting his crosses behind the goal and becoming an increasingly peripheral figure.
Gervinho struggled to make an impact, too, and thought he had won a penalty in the closing stages when he went down under the challenge of Joel Ekstrand, whose tackle, it transpired, was perfectly timed.
The Ivorian did set up a terrific chance for Walcott in the final minute, and though the Arsenal man hit his shot sweetly, Samir Handanovic’s save was even better.
By that stage, home supporters were streaming out of the stadium, having made their frustration clear.
They know, and Wenger must know, that Arsenal will not challenge for honours unless they add proven quality – and quickly.
Szczesny 6; Sagna 6, Koscielny 5, Vermaelen 7, Gibbs 6; Rosicky 4, Song 6, Ramsey 6; Walcott 6, Chamakh 5, Gervinho 7.
Djourou for Gibbs (46), Jenkinson for Djourou 55, Frimpong for Rosicky 72
Handanovic 7; Ekstrand 8, Benatia 6, Danilo 6, Neuton 7; Isla 6, Agyemang-Badu 7, Asamoah 7, Pinzi 7, Armero 7; Di Natale 8.
Kevin Blom (Netherlands) 8/10.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
