Champions League Playoff Ties Released, Arsenal Have Drawn Udinese

In what was a draw that produced a number of enticing play-off matches, Arsenal have drawn Udinese in their clash for a place in the group stage of the Champions League.

Matches to be played include (courtesy of Goal.com):

Arsenal vs. Udinese

Bayern Munich vs. FC Zurich

FC Twente vs. Benfica

Odense vs. Villarreal

Wisla Krakow vs. APOEL

Maccabi Haifa vs. Genk

FC Copenhagen vs. Viktoria Plzen

BATE Borisov vs. Sturm Graz

Dinamo Zagreb vs. Malmo

With a number of contenders from last year's European competitions all vying for a place in the final 32, it will be a nervous few days leading up to match day. Arsenal will face a depleted Udinese, a team that has sold off stars Alexis Sanchez and Gokhan Inler to Barcelona and Napoli, respectively.

Bayern Munich will get more than they bargained for, as they face Zurich, a team that caused some trouble for Italian giants Milan in the group stage last year. Elsewhere, Villarreal will look to make a return to the Champions League after failing to qualify last year. The Spanish side will face Danish club Odense, a team looking to make club history, as they have qualified for the Champions League for the first time.

The fixtures will set the scene for what is looking to be an electric Champions League for 2011-2012.