Champions League preview: Udinese v Arsenal

Arsenal’s bid to qualify for the Champions League group stage will be given a stern test by Serie A outfit Udinese on Wednesday.

The Gunners carry a 1-0 lead into the second leg of the fixture, but that win was earned at the Emirates Stadium, with the Italians sure to make life difficult for Arsene Wenger’s side at the Stadio Friuli.

Arsenal lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday but were unlucky, with a freak Aaron Ramsey own goal and an Emmanuel Frimpong red card making things even tougher for a squad that has been cruelled by injuries and suspensions.

“Wednesday night is a game of big importance for us,” Wenger said.

“It is important for us to lift the players because they were very disappointed (after losing to Liverpool).”

“We need to give them credit for their attitude and performance – in that game it is very harsh to lose it the way we did.”

Wenger’s side will be keen to hit back in a match where much of the pre-game attention has focused on whether French midfielder Samir Nasri will feature.

Nasri has sought a move away from Arsenal this summer, with Manchester City the most likely destination.

And City manager Roberto Mancini fanned the flames when he went on the record to say he wished Nasri would not play for Arsenal, as it would leave him cup-tied in the Champions League.

But Nasri started against Liverpool on Saturday and may be used again if Wenger is serious about progressing to the group stage, of which Arsenal have been ever-present in since 1998-99.

The need to play Nasri is not as great as it was on Saturday though, with domestic suspensions for Frimpong and Alex Song not standing in Europe, while Jack Wilshere is a chance to play his first match of the season after he suffered an ankle injury in the Emirates Cup.

Robin van Persie is back from his European ban and will lead the line up front, but Wenger will only be able to watch his new skipper from the stands as he serves the first of a two-match touchline ban.

Udinese’s biggest threat will come from 33-year-old striker Antonio di Natale, who has bagged 57 Serie A goals in his last two seasons and Arsenal’s defence will need to be at their best to stop the poacher.

The outcome of the match will also play a part in the decision of several of Arsenal’s potential transfer targets who want to play in the Champions League, and with so much riding on the result, it is sure to be a fascinating second leg.