Two changes for Gunners

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made two changes to his starting XI as the Gunners began life without Cesc Fabregas by taking on Udinese in tonight’s Champions League play-off first leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Theo Walcott and Marouane Chamakh came in for Andrey Arshavin and the suspended Robin van Persie while new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was named on the bench.

Italy striker Antonio Di Natale started for Udinese as the Serie A side looked to book their place in the Champions League proper for only the second time in their history.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song, Rosicky, Walcott, Ramsey, Eboue, Chamakh. Subs: Fabianski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Djourou, Arshavin, Jenkinson, Frimpong, Bendtner.

Udinese: Handanovic, Ekstrand, Benatia, Larangeira, Neuton, Agyemang-Badu, Isla, Asamoah, Pinzi, Armero, Di Natale. Subs: Belardi, Denis, Vydra, Abdi, Pasquale, Doubai, Fabbrini.

Referee: Kevin Blom (Holland)