Udinese 1 Arsenal 2: Van Persie and Walcott help raise vexed Wenger’s spirits

Arsene Wenger’s fortnight from hell was in danger of reaching a new low when Antonio Di Natale levelled the play-off with Udinese in the first half of last night’s second leg.

But the Gunners showed the kind of character Wenger has always insisted was present – but which has so often been inevident – to turn the game on its head thanks to goals from new captain Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott and Wojciech Szczesny’s brilliant penalty save.

The win eased the pressure on beleaguered Wenger, who was spared the inevitable questions about his future which would have arisen had Arsenal failed to reach the lucrative Champions League proper for the first time in 14 years.

Last night’s game was therefore a defining moment in the club’s season and possibly the career of their manager, who has endured one of the worst fortnights of his near 15-year reign.

The Frenchman has now lost star players in Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, and has had to contend with a raft of injuries, suspensions and charges from the game’s governing bodies.

He was at least given a stay of execution from his latest touchline ban and was in the dugout last night in 31-degree heat in Udine, in the Italian north-east.

There were even rumours before kick-off, following Fenerbahce’s expulsion from the competition, that Arsenal might be reinstated should they be eliminated.

But UEFA put paid to those by confirming during the game that Trabzonspor would replace their fellow Turks.

Di Natale gave Szczesny no chance with a looping header from Giampiero Pinzi’s cross that went in off the post to give Udinese the lead. But Arsenal silenced the home fans 10 minutes into the second half when Gervinho got the better of Medhi Benatia and squared for van Persie to slot home from six yards.

Two minutes later, calamity appeared to strike again when Thomas Vermaelen was adjudged to have handled Di Natale’s corner and Olegario Benquerenca pointed to the spot.

But Szczesny produced a wondrous one-handed save to tip the striker’s penalty over the crossbar.

It was fittingly Walcott who killed the contest in the 69th minute after outpacing the hapless Benatia and slotting past Handanovic to ensure Arsenal’s place in today’s draw for the Champions League group stage.