They say it never rains but pours and for Arsene Wenger a deluge of questions await should a worrying start to the new season be compounded by an early exit from the Champions League on Wednesday.
A 2-0 home defeat by top-four rivals and new-look Liverpool on Saturday means the north Londoners remain without a win from their opening two games of the domestic season and Wenger is charged with the task of galvanising an inexperienced squad for a difficult assignment against Udinese in north-east Italy.
Confirmation on Monday that the Frenchman has received a two-match ban from Uefa for breaching the terms of a previous Champions League suspension means his involvement at Stadio Communale Friuli may be limited. This, coupled with a host of injury problems, makes for worrying times for Gunners fans.
The loss of captain and talisman Cesc Fabregas has blunted Arsenal as an attacking unit and principal striker Robin van Persie is in desperate need of support – not helped by yet more conjecture about the future of Samir Nasri.
Arsenal were fortunate to secure a 1-0 first-leg win on home soil and their wretched away form in Europe – just one win in eight games – suggests they have to be opposed and Bianconeri could be the bet at 9/4 To Qualify.
The Serie A side have lost only twice at home in the league since the turn of the year – and four in total all last season – and also kept six clean sheets among their 11 wins.
Arsenal will have the edge in terms of match sharpness given that the Italian season does not start until this weekend but a lack of teeth in the final third is as tangible as it is worrying for seasoned Arsenal followers fearing a horror start to the new campaign.
A Udinese team short of competitive games against a nervous and immature Arsenal side makes for a difficult fixture to pin down in terms of a betting proposition, but the 5/2 for Total Goals (1 or less) in the 90 minutes appeals given that punters have both teams running for them.
Udinese only managed to score more than two goals on three occasions in Serie A at home all last season and the enormity of the fixture means the 5/6 for Under 2.5 goals looks decent.
Wenger, who had the look of a condemned man at the final whistle on Saturday, was adamant in his assessment that his players will turn the corner and that he will not walk away from the club.
“I don’t feel it is all doom and gloom. I feel there are also positives,” he added.
After Wednesday, next up for Arsenal is the small matter is a trip to Old Trafford to take on 6/4 Premier League title favourites and reigning champions Manchester United.
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