Arsenal 1 – 0 Udinese
Theo Walcott scores only goal of the game after 4 minutes to take a slender lead back to Italy in the second leg of this tie.
Bacary Sagna released Aaron Ramsey on the right wing and the Welshman’s cross was side-footed in expertly by Theo Walcott at the near post.
Theo Walcott scores only goal of the match
For all the home sides quick movement, the Gunners were regularly caught out on the counter attack by a Udinese side playing its first competitive match of the season.
Udinese went close on several occasions with the brilliant Antonio Di Natale striking the bar with a free-kick and scraping the post with a shot.
Pablo Armero and Mauricio Isla also had goalbound efforts blocked.
The victory came at a cost for Arsenal with Gibbs coming off at half time with a hamstring injury and his replacement Djourou forced off with the same problem after less than 10 minutes on the pitch.
Arsenal were not helped by manager Arsene Wenger being unable to directly issue orders as he was banished to the stands by UEFA, his punishment for a outburst against a referee last season after the Champions League loss to Barcelona.
Arsenal have the win but Udinese’s fans and players looked more satisfied. Arsene Wenger’s side will have to work hard to protect their narrow advantage in Italy next Wednesday.
FC Copenhagen 1 – 3 Plzen
Czech champions Plzen had an outstanding 3-1 victory away to FC Copenhagen of Denmark.
A Solvi Ottesen own goal put the visitors ahead on 52 minutes, with Vaclav Pilar doubling their lead soon after. Copenhagen replied through Solvi Ottesen, but Plzen midfielder Martin Fillo made it 3-1 to make the Czech’s strong favourites to go through to the Champions League proper.
FC Twente 2 – 2 Benfica
FC Twente and Benfica shared a 2-2 draw in their first-leg tie.
Hosts Twente took the lead in the sixth minute through Luuk de Jong but Benfica led 2-1 at half-time thanks to goals from Oscar Rene Cardozo and Manuel Nolito.
The goal advantage was not enough to earn the visitors a lead to take back to Portugal, though, as forward Bryan Ruiz drew the Dutch outfit level 10 minutes from the end.
Lyon 3 – 1 Rubin Kazan
Lyon enjoyed a 3-1 first leg victory over Russian side Rubin Kazan at the Municipal De Gerland.
Bafetimbi Gomis scores first of three for Lyon
Vladimir Dyadyun gave the visitors an early lead on three minutes, but the French hosts replied through Bafetimbi Gomis and went ahead with an own goal from Solomon Kverkvelia. Jimmy Briand gave Lyon a two-goal cushion on 71 minutes.
Bate Borisov 1-1 SK Sturm Graz
Bate Borisov and Sturm Graz played out a 1-1 draw in Belarus.
Manuel Weber put visitors Sturm ahead in the 10th minute but Marko Simic levelled the scores up in the 59th minute.
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