Can a team's fanbase be simultaneously satisfied and worried sick? That's probably how most Gunners are feeling after Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League playoff match against Udinese, in which their Arsenal side pulled off a 1-0 victory but caused concerns about the club to grow in the process. Arsenal will feel like the Champions League group stages are in their sights after denying Udinese an away goal, but their depth is a very real and obvious problem.
Arsenal Vs. Udinese, 2011 UEFA Champions League Playoff Round: Full Time, Theo Walcott Goal Gives Gunners 1-0 Win
The goal came just four minutes in in a tap-in by Theo Walcott, brilliantly assisted by Aaron Ramsey. Walcott probably should have had two or three more goals in the game, as he put in a solid performance but was repeatedly very unlucky or made poor decisions. This is more or less a description of Theo Walcott's career.
Antonio Di Natale was brilliant for Udinese, and it's mind boggling that he wasn't able to score a goal. His best effort came on the 12th minute when he hit the crossbar with a free kick, and he had multiple other efforts saved by Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who had a very good game. Szcezsny and Thomas Koscielny were actually very good, but Arsenal looked like a very average side despite this. Had someone told you that would happen a year ago, your head may have exploded.
The tie now heads to Udine very much up in the air. Arsenal are in a good position to win, but what personnel will they have at their disposal? Both Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou had to exit the game with injuries while Emmanuel Eboue is on his way out of town. Should Arsenal go with a completely makeshift back four, the scales may tip just a bit.
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