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Arsenal will face off against Italian side Udinese in the Champions League qualifying draw on Friday. The draw took place at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland and also threw up several other interesting ties which have got tongues wagging.
The most feared team in the draw Bayern Munich were paired with FC Zurich of Switzerland, whereas French giants Olympique Lyonnais and Portuguese runners-up Benfica were paired against Rubin Kazan and FC Twente respectively.
The draw will give Arsene Wenger’s men food for thought as they battle against Serie A’s most talked about side behind the Milanese giants.
With the second leg set to take place at the intimidating Stadio Friuli, the Gunners will need a positive showing at the Emirates Stadium to avoid a potential Champions League embarrassment.
After a poor Emirates Cup, doubts have already seeped deeply into the minds of Gooners everywhere as the futures of both Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas hang in the balance.
Arsenal have rejected yet another bid from European champions Barcelona for their captain, however, Cesc’s desire to want out, could soon poison team morale.
Likewise, as seen (and known), the Arsenal defence is still a shambles and has yet to be strengthened, so the likes of Antonio Di Natalie in particular (Serie A’s top goal scorer last season with 28 goals) will be licking his lips with anticipation.
The Zebrette smashed home the third highest amount of goals in the Italian league last season (65) which helped the club cement a well deserved fourth place finish and only their second UEFA Champions League outing ever.
Upon bagging that much desired fourth spot, Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin did a famous ‘Boateng dance’ in the middle of the pitch. Should the Italian lead his men to a famous victory over Arsene Wenger’s struggling troops, expect to see something a little more, well…strange!
Do not rule it out. In The Stands told you first.
The Full UEFA Champions League Qualifying Draw is as follows:
League route
Odense v Villarreal
Twente v Benfica
Arsenal v Udinese
Lyon v Rubin Kazan
Bayern Munich v Zurich
Champions Route
Wisla Krakow v APOEL
Maccabi Haifa v Genk
Dinamo Zagreb v Malmo
BATE v Sturm Graz
Copenhagen v Viktoria Plzen
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