The tie was sealed when Walcott found Sagna and our dependable full back showed us his best impression of a former number 4 by sliding through a wonderfully weighted pass. Theo was away in the left channel, the area he loves so much, he gave ‘the eyes’ and slotted to the keepers right. A great finish and his second goal in the tie. In both those goals he was in central areas

14 years and counting, a record that is often dismissed due to manager in charge. He has reshaped his squad from talented footballers to talented fighters who are all pulling in the same direction. The foundation of this team looks very impressive, the next step for Arsene is to add the extra quality that

It seems an awful long time since I last felt this way after a big Arsenal game. I feel happy, convinced and proud of the players that represented the Arsenal shirt last night. The pressure on each and every player was absolutely immense as negativity surrounding the club is at an all time high, at least it is during Wenger’s reign at the club.

Not only did we have to contend with a tough quick Udinese team but we had to deal with having some key first team performers out through injury.

I was hoping that Arsene would start the duo of Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong in the heart of midfield and I got my wish. Both players were superb in the first half seizing control of the midfield battle and breaking up the opposition attacks whenever possible.

I was surprised to see Aaron Ramsey back in the starting eleven, I assumed that Tomas Rosicky would have started as he was fresher and more experienced. He would get his chance.

We started the game very well and looked crisp and focused in our approach. Played with little fear considering the stage and plenty of the praise must go to the manager for installing that calm in his players.

Considering the fact that the game was on such a knife edge, it was played at a wonderful tempo. Both teams looking to score goals which made for a thoroughly entertaining spectacle

Gervinho and Walcott were a constant threat in wide areas. Gervinho lead the way, dancing past his full back with barely a minute gone on the clock. His attempted pass to van Persie was cut out by the grateful keeper.

We may have lost a supremely gifted individual in Nasri but with Gervinho we really do have a yin to our yang. When most of our players look to pass the ball on automatically, Gervinho gives us that explosive outlet in the final third. He may frustrate at times but on his day he will leave the best defenders sat on the ground watching his studs zooming away into the penalty area.

It was Gervinho again who presented Arsenal with the best chance of the first half, he twisted and turned his way down the left and laid the ball square to an onrushing Theo Walcott who side footed into the midriff of the keeper. Van Persie’s follow up hooked shot was also saved.

Antonio DiNatale had the ball in the back of the net but was flagged for offside. It is not difficult to see why he has been top scorer in Italy for the last two years. A master in the penalty box, a player with top level movement and expert finishing.

DiNatale was not finished yet. He had already smashed the base of the post before pealing away from Djourou and Jenkinson, his header was precision personified. The direction was perfect and Szczesny had no chance to stop it.

How we could do with a 26 year old DiNatale, he could score bucket loads of goals for Arsenal.

1-0 on the night and 1-1 on aggregate. That is how the scores remained when the two sides went in at half time. Udinese had the momentum and Arsenal’s advantage had been wiped out. The Arsenal team at the end of last season would never had won that game. Heads would have dropped, the pressure would have been too much to deal with.

Tomas Rosicky replaced the impressive Emmanuel Frimpong at half time to add an extra offensive dimension to our game. It was unlucky for Frimpong as he had played well but Wenger wanted that away goal.

Arsene Wenger’s substitution changed the game and the Czech maestro rolled back the years to produce a confident, expressive and hard working performance in midfield. It was Rosicky’s blocked shot that found it’s way to Gervinho on the left side of the penalty box. He shimmied and jinked his way past his man and his left footed low cross found van Persie to slam into the net from close range.

I could have seen Samir Nasri jink inside and out and then turn back to roll the ball back to the full back or the nearest available player. Gervinho commits players and makes things happen. More of that please Gervinho.

We grew as a team after that goal and controlled the game, until the usual controversial strange major decision against us. Thomas Vermaelen was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and a penalty was given.

I saw the verbal’s that Szczesny gave DiNatale before the penalty, he was pointing and looked very pumped up. It is lovely to have someone with that character in the goal. That confidence in himself and it shows. His penalty save was breathtaking. It reminded me of David Seaman’s one handed stop against Sampdoria all those years ago but this was better, DiNatale hammered it with power and it required a very strong wrist to stop that from going in.

The tie was sealed when Walcott found Sagna and our dependable full back showed us his best impression of a former number 4 by sliding through a wonderfully weighted pass. Theo was away in the left channel, the area he loves so much, he gave ‘the eyes’ and slotted to the keepers right. A great finish and his second goal in the tie. In both those goals he was in central areas of the pitch, I don’t know how much more central he wants to go because he can get into all the areas he needs from his current position without the close attention of central defenders.

When our backs were against the wall, many players stood out. Alex Song was the best player on the pitch for me. Won many balls in the air, broke up the Italians time and time again. A real strong performance from him. Carl Jenkinson played like a seasoned pro. Didn’t give his opponent anything and did not mess around in dangerous areas, just cleared his lines and took the pressure off his defenders. Rosicky won many tackles and kept the ball moving all throughout the second half. Thomas Vermaelen continues to lead the defence and organise those around him and Szczesny behind him was flawless once more.

14 years and counting, a record that is often dismissed due to the manager in charge. He has reshaped his squad from talented footballers to talented fighters who are all pulling in the same direction. The foundation of this team looks very impressive, the next step for Arsene is to add the extra quality that this team needs to win silverware.

With all the negativity and pressure thrown at us, we should all be extremely proud of the reaction from every player on that pitch last night. Like I said before the tie, getting through this could see the club really turn the corner and show that we can compete with the very best. Let’s hope Arsene and the board manage to bring in what we require before the window slams shut.

Man of the match: Alex Song