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Played
August 24, 2011 2:45 PM EDT
Stadio Communale Friuli — Udine
Referee: Olegário Manuel Benquerenca
Attendance: 26031
August 24, 2011 2:45 PM EDT
Stadio Communale Friuli — Udine
Referee: Olegário Manuel Benquerenca
Attendance: 26031
Top of the Match
Wojciech Szczesny
Arsenal
Arsenal
Wojciech Szczesny
Arsenal
Arsenal
Flop of the Match
Mehdi Benatia
Udinese
Udinese
Antonio Di Natale
Udinese
Udinese
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Udinese 1-2 Arsenal (Agg. 1-3): Van Persie, Walcott see off Italian resistance as Gunners edge through
The English side progressed to the group stage once more, despite having gone behind to Di Natale's header, with Wojciech Szczesny making a vital penalty save.
By Mike Slane
Getty Images
Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal squad have finally caught a break.
With his team down one entering halftime, Wenger was relieved to see Robin Van Persie knock in the equalizer, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny make a clutch save and Theo Walcott put the game away as Arsenal advanced to the Champions League group stage with a 2-1 victory over Udinese in the second leg of the playoff.
Antonio Di Natale’s looping header to the far post in the 39th minute gave the Italian team the early lead over Arsenal, which won the first leg 1-0 on its home field last week. But that was all Udinese would get the rest of the way as the Gunners took control in the second half.
Van Persie put Arsenal on the board in the 55th minute off a nice feed from Gervinho, who found the striker at the top of the six-yard box for the easy goal. Gervinho set up the play after beating Medhi Benatia down the left side, giving the English team a two-goal cushion on aggregate.
But Udinese nearly put the pressure on Wenger’s side once again.
As Arsenal was just finishing celebrating Van Persie’s goal, Udinese was being awarded a penalty kick after a Thomas Vermaelen hand ball in the box resulted in a yellow card. Di Natale stepped up for the penalty but was denied by Szczesny, who dove to his right and knocked the ball over the crossbar.
Walcott sealed the match thanks to his lightning-quick sprint down the field past Benatia to beat goalkeeper Samir Handanovic with a side-footed effort inside the near post.
It was a huge win for Wenger, who saw two of his best players - Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas - leave the club during this summer's transfer window. Earlier this week, Nasri delivered a blow to the manager when he accused him of delaying the deal with Manchester City.
Arsenal has now reached the Champions League knockout phase in 11 consecutive seasons.
With his team down one entering halftime, Wenger was relieved to see Robin Van Persie knock in the equalizer, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny make a clutch save and Theo Walcott put the game away as Arsenal advanced to the Champions League group stage with a 2-1 victory over Udinese in the second leg of the playoff.
Antonio Di Natale’s looping header to the far post in the 39th minute gave the Italian team the early lead over Arsenal, which won the first leg 1-0 on its home field last week. But that was all Udinese would get the rest of the way as the Gunners took control in the second half.
Van Persie put Arsenal on the board in the 55th minute off a nice feed from Gervinho, who found the striker at the top of the six-yard box for the easy goal. Gervinho set up the play after beating Medhi Benatia down the left side, giving the English team a two-goal cushion on aggregate.
But Udinese nearly put the pressure on Wenger’s side once again.
As Arsenal was just finishing celebrating Van Persie’s goal, Udinese was being awarded a penalty kick after a Thomas Vermaelen hand ball in the box resulted in a yellow card. Di Natale stepped up for the penalty but was denied by Szczesny, who dove to his right and knocked the ball over the crossbar.
Walcott sealed the match thanks to his lightning-quick sprint down the field past Benatia to beat goalkeeper Samir Handanovic with a side-footed effort inside the near post.
It was a huge win for Wenger, who saw two of his best players - Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas - leave the club during this summer's transfer window. Earlier this week, Nasri delivered a blow to the manager when he accused him of delaying the deal with Manchester City.
Arsenal has now reached the Champions League knockout phase in 11 consecutive seasons.
Follow MIKE SLANE on 
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
14 | 4 |
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Mario Gomez
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13 | 0 |
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Cristiano Ronaldo
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10 | 2 |
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Karim Benzema
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7 | 0 |
|
Didier Drogba
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6 | 0 |