Arsenal - Udinese Preview: Jack Wilshere absent as both sides look to future without a number of influential players

ARSENAL Szczesny Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs Rosicky, Song, Ramsey Gervinho, Walcott, Arshavin

UDINESE Handanovic Domizzi, Larangeira, Benatia Isla, Pinzi, Asamoah, Doubai, Armero Di Natale, Barreto

Expect Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to name a largely unchanged side to the one that faced Newcastle United on Saturday, but he will be without Robin van Persie, who is suspended after his sending off against Barcelona last season, meaning that Theo Walcott could return to the starting XI, possibly interchanging with Gervinho.

The imminent departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasir will compound the club’s midfield woes, with both Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby remaining sidelined through injury, leaving Alex Song as the sole holding midfielder and Aaron Ramsey as the primary creative force.

The Udinese side has been has been picked apart by a number of European vultures, with Alexis Sanchez switching to Camp Nou and defender Cristian Zapata also opting for life in Spain with a move to Villarreal.

Despite this, boss Francesco Guidolin looks set to stick with a backline of three central defenders, whilst Antonio di Natale continues to spearhead the away side’s attack, with the Italian footballer of the year entering his eighth season at the Stadio Friuli.

• If Wenger’s side can negotiate their way past their Italian visitors, it will be the 14th consecutive season in which they have qualified for Europe’s elite competition.

• The last time Arsenal played in the Champions League preliminary rounds was in the 2009-10 season, when they defeated Celtic 5-1 on aggregate, only for their campaign to be halted with a quarter-final defeat at the hands of Barcelona.

• The north Londoners find themselves under pressure to perform from the very start of the new season, having only won three competitive fixtures since February’s League Cup final capitulation against Birmingham City.

• This is the second time Udinese have reached the qualifying rounds of the Champions League in their history.

• Having finished fourth in the 2004-05 Serie A season, Udinese defeated Sporting Lisbon 4-2 on aggregate to reach the Champions League group stages, in which they were drawn with Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen and Barcelona – finishing third.

• The men from Udine edged out Lazio to a fourth-placed finish on goal difference last season, with both sides ending the season on 66 points.

• Whilst Arsenal opened the Premier League season with a goalless draw against Newcastle United, the Italian league does not get under way until August 27, with Udinese facing Juventus the following day at home.