Arsenal through to the group stages : Udinese 1-2 Arsenal

 

Arsenal avoided the absurd as they began the process of getting over their dreadful start to the season by qualifying for the Champions League group stage.

Home side Udinese started the game with a bang with skipper Di Natale equalized the Arsenal’s first leg goal.

But new Gunners skipper Robin Van Persie ‘s gave the home fan a shock with a six yard strike. The Italian side once again had a life line as they were awarded a penalty as the ball was handled by defender Thomas Vermaelan.

Young goal-keeper Szczesny produced a incredible one-handed save to tip Di Natale’s penalty over the crossbar.  

The English side added one more on the 69^th minute as Walcott outpaced the hapless Benatia and slotting past Handanovic.

After this victory Arsenal will join the top seeded sides Man Utd, Barcelona, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Porto, Inter Milan in the Champions League draw.

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Malouda linked with Juventus move

 

Chelsea winger Florent Malouda could be heading to Italian side Juventus in a bid to revive his career.

The French international is set to fall down the pecking orders at Stamford Bridge following the arrival of Juan Mata from Valaencia.

And with new Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas looking to add Porto's Alvaro Pereira into his ranks, Malouda's future at the club is uncertain.

According to The Daily Mirror, Italian outfit Juventus are prepared to hand the 31-year-old a lifeline in Turin.

However, they are only willing to a loan deal whereas Chelsea would prefer a permanent move.

The Old Lady have reportedly offered Malouda a three-year contract at a lower salary but with the chance to play first-team football.

Malouda joined Chelsea from League 1 side Lyon in 2007 and has played nearly 200 games for the Blues, scoring 42 goals.

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Real Madrid beat Galatasaray in friendly: Madrid 2 - 1 Galatasaray

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Turkey side Galatasaray 2-1 in a friendly at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening.

Selcuk Inan opened the scoring for the visitors after 10 minutes, but goals either side of half-time from striker Karim Benzema and full back Sergio Ramos sent the Madrid fans home happy.

New signings Nuri Sahin, Hamit Altintop, Jose Maria Callejon, Raphael Varane and Fabio Coentrao were presented to the fans before the game.

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Allegri: Only Barcelona better than Milan

AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri believes only reigning European and Spanish champions Barcelona are a better team than his AC Milan side.

"I am convinced that, with a full squad, we are on par with Real Madrid," Allegri told La Stampa.

"The only exception is Barcelona."

The Italian tactician is clearly in positive mood following the Rossoneri's Serie A title victory, although Milan's shortcomings in the UEFA Champions League last season means Allegri's side still have something to prove.

Milan failed to successfully pilot the round of 16 in Europe after they fell to Barclays Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

"We went out against Tottenham because of some ill luck and a full infirmary," Allegri said.

"I do not have to build a team, but I have to improve it. AC Milan are not perfect, if perfection is something that exists. Let me give you an example: when Barcelona lose the ball, they try to regain possession at a frenetic pace. That is one aspect we have to improve."

Milan are looking to strengthen their midfield with the arrival of Liverpool mid fielder Alberto Aquilani after failing to lure Fiorentina's Riccardo Montolivo to the San Siro.

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Juan Mata completes Chelsea switch

 

Chelsea have completed the signing of Valencia winger Juan Mata on a five-year deal.

The 23-year-old Spaniard becomes Andre Villas-Boas' fourth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Oriol Romeu, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois.

Mata could make his debut in Saturday's clash with new comers Norwich and moves to Stamford Bridge for a reported transfer fee of £23.5million.

"Right from the first moment there have been good feelings all around me," Mata told the club's official website, www.chelseafc.com.

"Training has been great and the players are a great group to train with.

"Valencia was a big club anyway but I have left to join a bigger club and it is all about the opportunity to win trophies and I have that here."

Mata becomes the third Spaniard at the Blues, linking up with the aforementioned mid-fielder Romeu and fellow Spain international striker Fernando Torres.

"Fernando got me excited about the thought of coming here," Mata said.

"He said it would be good for me here and that me and him together could be good.

"I also talked to my family and friends about it as well."

The former Real Madrid forward’s father, also named Juan Mata, played professionally for Burgos and Salamanca, leading the player to add: "This is obviously a big thing for me, to have a father who knows football.

"He has always given me good advice and I never had a problem because he was there to help.

"Despite there being football in my family, I always wanted to have skills other than football so I studied while I was in Madrid.

"It wasn't easy but I wanted to do it, and I learned about marketing and sports science."

While Torres and his father had an influence on his move to west London, Mata admits it was boss Villas-Boas that eventually made him decide to end his four-year spell at the Mestalla.

"He said he wanted Chelsea this season to play more attacking football, and that I would be a big part of that," he added.

"Villas-Boas is someone who won almost everything last year and we are both here with the idea of winning lots this season.

"The plan is that I can play on either flank or even in the middle playing in between the lines of midfield and attack.

"I like to keep the ball and use it well, I am an attacking player and above all I like to set up goals and score them also.

"I want to adapt as quickly as possible to my new surroundings, my colleagues and this league, and I would love to win a trophy in my first season.

"If it can be the Premier League then great."  

The move brings a quick end to the transfer after Valencia accepted an offer on Sunday evening. Mata trained with his new team-mates at Cobham earlier on Wednesday and could feature for Villas-Boas' side this weekend.

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Inter Striker Eto'o completes Anzhi Makhachkala move

Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala have signed striker Samuel Eto'o from Inter Milan.

The Cameroon striker has joined the big-spending Russian Premier Liga outfit on a three-year deal which will make him one of the highest-paid players in world football.

Anzhi spokesman Alexander Udaltsov told Sky Sports News: "Just right now in Italy, Samuel signed a three-year contract so we can officially say the deal is done.

"We just received the medical results maybe one hour ago and he is in the right physical condition so we can sign the three-year contract."

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