Arsenal vs Udinese Champions League Qualifier Preview

Newly-crowned Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie won't be able to lead the Gunners out today. |Both the Dutchman and Samir Nasri are still serving suspensions from last season, which will come as bad news after their rather inauspicious Premier League opener against Newcastle. The match proved to be the focal point in an oddly underwhelming first weekend that only saw four matches not wind up as a draw. Big-spending Manchester City top the table after routing Swansea with four second-half goals in a 4-0 victory.

Arsenal are not getting much in way of backing in regards to their chance to win the English Premier League with the majority of bookmakers floating them around a 10/1 or 12/1 price.

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The Gunners must also qualify for the Champions League this year and face a play-off fixture against Udinese today at the Emirates Stadium.

To compound matters, manager Arsene Wenger is also set to serve a one-match touchline ban for this fixture.

Cesc Fabregas is now gone and it's time for other players to step up. Arsenal have the edge in this one according to the betting public with a price of around 8/15 available for the outright 90 minute win today. The Italian side pay a full 11/2 and the draw, which would favour the visitors, is priced at 11/4.

In regards to outright qualification, Arsenal are a slim 3/10 at the outset while Udinese trade at a reasonable 12/5 listing.

The events of the weekend, when Gervinho was sent off after an elaborate rouse from Joey Barton, seem to have produced a bit of a siege mentality at Arsenal. Gervinho will be available for today's fixture as his ban only applies to English fixtures.

Gervinho is 5/1 to open the scoring while Marouane Chamakh (remember him?) is considered co-favourite alongside Nicklas Bendtner at a 9/2 listing. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a new signing, could feature and he trades at 8/1 for the first goal.