With Laurent Koscielny still struggling for fitness, the return of Johan Djourou will ease Wenger’s fears slightly, I didn’t want to see Alex Song moved back into defence for such an important game, especially

I seriously cannot remember the last time I felt this way about an Arsenal game, if ever. It is normal to have a few nerves before the game, I usually do. I am usually excited at the prospect of good football, nice combinations, Van Persie pieces of magic, someone slipping Theo through or a last ditch Koscielny challenge. This is very different.

I find it hard to think about it and even more difficult to construct a preview of this game. At the time of writing this I am filled with nerves and this is being written on Tuesday evening. I dread to think what I will be like come kick off time.

Too much is riding on this one game. Literally we cannot afford to lose this match and that is enough pressure in itself. Arsenal fans are accustomed to being in the Champions League, we have taken it for granted, I certainly have but there is a genuine chance of being knocked out if things do not go our way.

The knock on effect from elimination will hamper our chances of adding quality in the transfer window, it could change the opinion of other star players in the squad and the negativity around the club will only increase.

But on the other hand, this is a chance for the players to step forward puff out their chests and fight for the cause. To show that they have the quality to put this club back on the straight and narrow. Progression to the group stages will be accompanied by new acquisitions and returning players from the treatment table will make us a force once more.

Mixed news on the injury front which isn’t a surprise. Jack Wilshere who was back in training has suffered the dreaded setback and will be missing for 2-3 weeks. With Cesc and Nasri already departed, we look short in midfield but the return of Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong from suspension will give us extra defensive stability in that area. Tomas Rosicky is fully rested and available for selection. I suspect that he will go straight into the team and possibly Aaron Ramsey could be rested for Old Trafford as he looked out on his feet at the end of the Liverpool game.

With Laurent Koscielny still struggling for fitness, the return of Johan Djourou will ease Wenger’s fears slightly, I didn’t want to see Alex Song moved back into defence for such an important game, especially with our depleted list of midfielders.

Given our one goal advantage and lack of midfield creativity, it will be very interesting to see how we approach the game. Will Arsene shy away from risking the inexperience of Frimpong and go for a more attacking midfield of Song, Ramsey and Rosicky. They would have a better understanding together and would add more guile, but adding Frimpong would give us a physical edge and an extra drive from midfield. It would also free either Rosicky or Ramsey to concentrate more on the creative side of the game. I personally hope to see the latter.

I would expect our team to come out fairly compressed and conservative with an onus on breaking quickly when we win the ball back. With Gervinho and Walcott out wide, we have plenty of pace to hurt Udinese should their back line wonder up field. Hopefully van Persie will drop off his marker a little more than he has done in recent games to allow the wide players to move into the spaces vacated by the Dutchman.

If ever there was a time to stand up and be counted then this is the game. Players like Thomas Vermaelen, Tomas Rosicky, Bacary Sagna, Alex Song and Robin van Persie have to wear their hearts on their sleeves and put in mature and committed performances. I want every player on the pitch to do themselves proud and leave everything they have on that pitch.

A massive 90 minutes awaits. Let us hope the boys can deliver.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up