• Champions League round-up

Szczesny the hero as Arsenal survive Udinese test

ESPN staff
August 24, 2011
Theo Walcott killed the tie for Arsenal © Getty Images
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Wojciech Szczesny produced a quite incredible penalty stop at a crucial stage of Arsenal's Champions League qualifying tie against Udinese, helping the Gunners progress to the group stages with a 3-1 aggregate victory after a 2-1 triumph on the night.

After Robin van Persie had cancelled out Antonio Di Natale's opener to leave the Italians needing two goals to stay in the tie, Udinese were handed a soft penalty with half an hour still remaining. The classy Di Natale stepped up and drilled the ball towards the top corner, only to see Szczesny produce one of the all-time great penalty stops.

On the day that Samir Nasri formally completed his switch to Manchester City, Arsene Wenger welcomed back Gervinho and Alex Song from domestic suspensions as Arsenal attempted to secure the lucrative step into the Champions League proper.

There were moments of concern from the opening whistle as Di Natale saw an excellent volley disallowed for offside inside 10 minutes. The Gunners also created plenty of chances, with Gervinho testing the goalkeeper at his near post, but they looked worryingly shaky at the back.

Di Natale had signalled his quality often enough in the first leg and he continued to threaten, striking a post from six yards when he really should have buried it. A goal simply had to arrive, and it was Di Natale who eventually provided it, levelling the tie with a delightful arcing header that dropped in off a post.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, Arsenal needed an away goal to leave Udinese needing two more, and they got it from the ever-reliable Van Persie, who converted from close range 10 minutes after half-time. The nerves were still abundantly evident though, with Song barely providing cover to his over-exposed back four.

Then arrived the pivotal moment of the match as Szczesny made a penalty save he had no right to make after Thomas Vermaelen had been penalised for handball. And 10 minutes later the tie was over as Theo Walcott scored a lovely solo goal to ease pressure on Wenger.

Elsewhere, Benfica never looked in trouble as they beat FC Twente 3-1 on the night for a 5-3 aggregate triumph. Axel Witsel scored twice for the Portuguese side, with Luisao notching the other to render Bryan Ruiz's late strike nothing more than consolation.

Plzen knocked out Copenhagen 5-2 on aggregate after coming from behind to win 2-1 in front of their own fans. Marek Bakos and Michal Duris were the heroes for the home side.

Earlier in the night, Lyon were relatively comfortable in cementing their place in the group stages, drawing 1-1 at Rubin Kazan. Bakary Kone's late equaliser ensured the Ligue 1 side progressed 4-2 on aggregate.

And Sturm Graz are out after a 2-0 loss to BATE Borisov, meaning they exit 3-1 over the two legs.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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