Arsenal vs. Udinese: 5 Things We Learned from a Great Win in Italy

On a hot, humid night in Udine, there was much uncertainty about Arsenal's ability to win against an Udinese side that had certainly proved its worth with a lively display at the Emirates a week ago.

Indeed, there were questions about Arsenal's overall standing as a club.

But a good, solid win over an Udinese side that was still very resilient served to quiet many of those critics and, more importantly, Arsenal have qualified for the 2011-12 UEFA Champions League.

They weathered a potent Udinese side early, but found their feet and came away with a conclusive 2-1 result that answered many questions people had asked of the Gunners, and taught us a few things about the side, as well.

With that, here are five of those things that we learned from Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Udinese.

Enjoy.

Theo Walcott Deserves to Be a Central Striker

One of the most considerably lively and threatening players on the night, Theo Walcott popped up with a great second goal that effectively sealed the tie off and allowed Arsenal to coast to a comfortable win.

He did botch some chances, most notably in the 33rd minute when he had the ball fall to him with only the goalkeeper Handanovic to beat, but he had his shot saved.

Despite that, though, Walcott played on the shoulder of the last defender all night and was a constant nuisance to Udinese even when he wasn't shooting. Alas, the times when he got into the middle with Robin van Persie were when he was most effective and dangerous.

The brilliant one-two he played with Bacary Sagna could become a feature of his game and they could lead to more threatening chances and more goals if he were to played through the middle.

It is also worth noting, by the way, that Theo has scored two of our three goals so far this season.

Wojciech Szczesny Is a Fantastic Goalkeeper

And I do mean fantastic, in the truest sense of the word. The young Pole once again showed class and maturity beyond his years when he made a number of fine stops during the game and was extremely alert in goal.

And then there was the penalty.

After a Thomas Vermaelen handball, Szczesny somehow pushed Antonio Di Natale's screaming penalty over the bar, changing the dimension of the game, as Arsenal had just recently gotten on level terms with Udinese.

It was one of the best penalty saves you will ever see, and after Di Natale whipped in a great free-kick late in the game and an alert Szczesny stopped it, the Italian striker was clearly exasperated and threw his hands up as if to say, "Well, I'm out of options. That's about the best I can do."

Certainly a great sign for one of our brightest future stars. 

Tomas Rosicky Still Has Some Life Left in Him

After poor showings to start the season, nearly everyone—including myself—had written the veteran Czech off as way past his best.

That certainly might be, but Tomas Rosicky showed that there is still a considerable amount of life left in those 30-year-old legs of his after coming on at half-time for Emmanuel Frimpong.

When he arrived on the pitch, Rosicky gave the Arsenal midfield a much more positive direction and gave the attack a certain tempo, which it had lacked beforehand. He was able to control the game from midfield at times and was also there to make good clearances in defence.

While certainly no longer a bona-fide starter for a club like Arsenal, if Rosicky can get in a good run of form and regain the touch and composure that he once had, Arsenal will gain much in the way of depth, in addition to the experience and leadership he provides.

Gervinho Will Be Fantastic

Another Gunner who shone through on the night, was Gervinho, who most frequently pierced the Udiense defence with his runs and dribbling skill, setting up chance after chance.

When one of those chances was converted by Robin van Persie for the game's first goal—one that was eerily similar to his goal against Benfica—it settled Arsenal down greatly and it was no surprise that it was the Ivorian who had provided the assist.

As he showed, he adds a different, more direct element to the Arsenal attack, and this change of pace proved to be invaluable for the Gunners when they at times ran out of options.

I don't think there is another player in this Arsenal squad who would have dribbled past Neuton to set up van Persie's goal like Gervinho did.

It is really a shame that Joey Barton's idiocy is keeping a player who is rapidly developing into a huge asset out of the match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, but if Gervinho can keep up his development, he looks to have been a fine signing by Arsene Wenger.

There Is Hope for the Gunners Yet

Perhaps it is not doom and gloom for Arsenal after all?

I'm probably getting ahead of myself a little bit, but now that we have the dark cloud of the Europa League gone from over our heads and Champions League qualification is secured, there may yet be light for Arsenal at the end of the tunnel.

Of course, we shall really see about the mettle of the squad in the cauldron of Old Trafford on Sunday, but the Gunners showed in Italy that they are still capable of playing good football, and, yes, sometimes the Arsenal will win a match now and then.

But, with the transfer window still open for another week and prospective signings knowing that will will be dining with Europe's elite once again, there is still ample opportunity to boost the squad with quality and experience.

Really, though, whether or not the 2-1 tin over Udinese was a landmark result in Arsenal's season or not, it at least gives me some hope that the Gunners are still capable of being great. And that alone is enough to keep me going.

Until the next loss, at least.