Four more spots remain in the draw for the UEFA Champions League group stage, and Arsenal is hoping that it will secure one of those places to be a part of Thursday's festivities instead of having to drop down to the Europa League.
The Gunners have dealt with plenty of loss, between on-field results and important personnel bolting for other teams, and they'll look to hold on to a 1-0 lead over Udinese as their tie shifts to Italy. Lyon already booked a place in the draw on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw (4-2 victory on aggregate) with Rubin Kazan. Here is the viewing schedule for Wednesday's remaining UCL matches:
2:45 p.m. – Fox Soccer Channel – Udinese vs. Arsenal (Arsenal leads, 1-0)
2:45 p.m. – FoxSoccer.tv/DirecTV – Benfica vs. Twente (Teams tied, 2-2)
2:45 p.m. – FoxSoccer.tv/DirecTV – Sturm Graz vs. BATE Borisov (Teams tied, 1-1)
2:45 p.m. – FoxSoccer.tv/DirecTV – Viktoria Plzen vs. FC Copenhagen (Plzen leads, 3-1)
If you will be watching any of these games, please feel free to share any thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below. Enjoy the action.
Now we can all read about how Arsenal are back and everyone should lay off Wenger and his players came through, blah blah blah. And it will all be reversed again when they lose to United…
Is Twente throwing the game? I don’t get this.
…time to switch over to Graz vs BATE, from the stadium formerly known as Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadion.
Highlight reel save right there.
Gooners around the world can relax. Up 3-1 aggregrate with 20 minutes left…
…time to switch over to the Benfica-Twente match.
Vermaelen gives away a penalty…… and Di Natale’s ensuing penalty is saved by Szczesny!!!
Wow, that is a HUGE save.
With that save, could their luck finally be turning?
Arsenal self destruct!!
Arsenal redeem themselves! Great Save Keep!
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta love RVP, such a quality player up top!
Arsenal to the group stage!
Benfica SHREDDING Twente’s backline
Trabzonspor replaces Fenerbahce in the UEFA Champions League.
Athletic Club Bilbao goes directly into the UEFA Europa League.
http://www.uefa.com/uefa/footballfirst/matchorganisation/disciplinary/news/newsid=1666823.html
The UEFA Emergency Panel also decided that Trabzonspor AÅž would be replaced in the UEFA Europa League by its opponent in the play-off, Athletic Club. The UEFA Europa League play-off second-leg match between Trabzonspor AÅž and Athletic Club, scheduled for Thursday 25 August, is cancelled.
The UEFA Emergency Panel has decided to replace Fenerbahçe SK with Trabzonspor AÅž after the Turkish FA withdrew Fenerbahçe from the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League.
(uefa.com)
I wouldn’t say uncomfortable, try depressed, impending feeling of doom
Di Natale has scored.
1-1 aggregrate.
Gooners around the world are feeling more uncomfortable.
Di Natale makes it 1-1….
Arsenal still in champions League thanks to the post. This game means so much for Arsenal. They probably can’t buy anyone unless potential buys know they’ll be in the champions league.
Heard it might be the highest rated team not already in a European competition, which would be Liverpool. Arsenal would still be in Europe by dropping into Europa League. Don’t know if this is at all true or not though, pure conjecture.
Need a big comeback for Copenhagen! Come on come on!
Anyone know how the Turkish champion being dropped effects this? I’ve heard reports that Arsenal are already in, no matter what, as the highest ranking team left…