Match of the day (copied from www.goonersguide.com)

Arsenal will only have one aim in this clash with Udinese, and that is to qualify for the UEFA Champions League group phase and lift the spirits in the club. Arsene Wenger has had to deal with a couple of uninspiring performances in the league after starting their campaign with a draw against Newcastle and that was followed up against a defeat against Liverpool on home soil.

Things are not looking good in the side with star midfielder Samir Nasri set to join Manchester City just a week after captain Cesc Fabregas left for Barcelona, and with Wenger having so far failed to bring in any big names to the side, the supporters are calling for Wenger to spend some money. The Gunners are missing a number of key players for the journey to Udinese and if they were to make an early exit from the Champions League, that would be a huge blow for the club.

However, the good news is that Arsenal have a 1-0 advantage for the second leg of their play-off tie thanks to Theo Walcott's early goal at the Emirates Stadium and if they can protect that lead to make it to Thursday's draw for the group stage, things can get better for Wenger. A good result from this match could also attract top players to the club and change things around if Wenger could avoid defeat in this match. The good news is that Robin van Persie is back from his European ban, while Gervinho, Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong are available despite domestic suspensions. And an away goal here can do greatly to help them despite failing to find the target in both of their Premiership games to date. Nasri has been left out of the side as he is due to join Manchester City, while while Jack Wilshere has still not recovered from an ankle problem and has been left out of the side. Also out of the side are Laurent Koscielny (back), Nicklas Bendtner, Abou Diaby (both ankle), Kieran Gibbs (hamstring) and Sebastien Squillaci. Carl Jenkinson could start at left-back after he weas signed in the summer. Wenger will at least be able to coordinate proceedings from the dugout after Wenger, who claimed the rules were not fully clear, asked for a stay of execution so his touchline ban does not come effect for this match. Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin, has warned his players not to be fooled by Arsenal's off-field problems as they aim to get the better of the Premiership side. Udinese competed well in the first leg and will be confident of overturning the one-goal deficit at the Stadio Friuli. They made their home their fortress and that was what enabled them to finish fourth and qualified for the Champions League playoffs. The new Italian season does not start until this weekend but Antonio Di Natale is the man to watch as he was the Italian Serie A leading scorer last season. Fellow frontman Antonio Floro Flores is set to miss out again for this match. They have problems in defence with centre-half Maurizio Domizzi sidelined due to a thigh problem and right-back Dusan Basta also doubtful. Predicted Udinese Lineup : Handanovic, Neuton, Danilo, Benatia, Ekstrand, Pinzi, Amero, Agyemang, Isla, Armero, Di Natale Predicted Arsenal Lineup : Szczesny, Jenkinson, Miguel, Vermaelen, Sagna, Song, Ramsey, Arshavin, Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho