• Arsenal 1-0 Udinese, Champions League qualifier

Theo goal hands Arsenal narrow advantage

Theo Walcott volleys Arsenal ahead © PA Photos

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Theo Walcott's early goal handed Arsenal a slender 1-0 advantage to take to Udinese for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier.

There is some £20 million riding on the outcome of the match and Arsenal looked well set following Walcott's volley, but they were unable to add to their tally and were fortunate not to concede as their Italian visitors carved out a number of decent chances.

It started superbly for Arsene Wenger's men, as Aaron Ramsey skipped down the right and whipped in a perfect cross for Walcott who volleyed home from inside the six-yard box.

Udinese are an attacking outfit and Antonio Di Natale crashed a free kick against the bar, although it is fair to say Wojciech Szczesny had it covered.

Walcott was an effervescent figure for Arsenal and had a shot saved mid-way through the first half, but shortly afterwards the Gunners survived a real scare.

Arsenal gave the ball away on the edge of the Udinese box, Pablo Armero drove forward and headed in on goal after skipping past a poor challenge from Bacary Sagna. Szczesny stood up well and made the save, while Di Natale saw his follow-up effort blocked.

The Gunners are looking light on numbers and lost Kieran Gibbs to injury at the break and his replacement Johan Djourou - who made one telling block to deny Di Natale - limped off after nine minutes on the pitch.

Carl Jenkinson was thrust into the action, less than a year after plying his trade in the Blue Square Premier, while Tomas Rosicky was the third Arsenal player to limp out of the action.

But despite the injury problems Arsenal were able to hold on and could have had a late second but Walcott saw a late chance superbly turned round the post by Samir Handanovic.

Dutch side Twente Enschede were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Portuguese champions Benfica. Twente went ahead early through Luuk de Jong, before the visitors turned the tie around with goals from Oscar Cardozo and Manuel Nolito before halftime. The home side found an 80th-minute equaliser through Bryan Ruiz.

Lyon enjoyed a 3-1 first leg victory over Russian side Rubin Kazan at the Municipal De Gerland. Vladimir Dyadyun gave the visitors an early lead on three minutes, but the French hosts replied through Bafetimbi Gomis and went ahead with an own goal from Solomon Kverkvelia. Jimmy Briand gave Lyon a two-goal cushion on 71 minutes.

Czech champions Plzen had a notable 3-1 victory away to FC Copenhagen of Denmark. A Solvi Ottesen own goal put the visitors ahead on 52 minutes, with Vaclav Pilar doubling their lead soon after. Copenhagen replied through Solvi Ottesen, but Plzen midfielder Martin Fillo made it 3-1 to make the Czech side strong favourites to go through to the Champions League proper.

Bate Borisov came from a goal behind to draw 1-1 at home to SK Sturm Graz. The Austrian visitors went ahead through Manuel Weber on 12 minutes, but Marko Simic's 59th-minute equaliser will see the Belarus champions in the second leg on level terms.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.