Gunners handed tough test

Arsenal will have to see off Serie A outfit Udinese if they are to reach the group phase of the UEFA Champions League.

The Gunners were paired against the Italians in Friday's play-off draw.

Arsene Wenger's men are regulars in Europe's premier club competition, but are paying the price for a fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season.

They were seeded in the play-off draw, but have been unable to avoid one of the tougher unseeded sides.

The Gunners will face Udinese in a two-legged tie to determine which side will progress to the group phase.

Elsewhere, German giants Bayern Munich, another European heavyweight to have endured a disappointing 2010/11 campaign, have been drawn against Swiss side FC Zurich.

French outfit Lyon will face Russia's Rubin Kazan, FC Twente must tackle Benfica and Villarrealare to take on Odense BK.

Malmo's reward for seeing off Rangers in the third qualifying round is a meeting with Dinamo Zagrab.

Full draw for the UEFA Champions League play-offs:

Wisla Krakow v Apoel Nicosia

Maccabi Haifa v Genk

Dinamo Zagreb v Malmo FF

FC Copenhagen v Plzen

BATE v SK Sturm Graz

Odense BK v Villarreal

FC Twente v Benfica

Arsenal v Udinese

Bayern Munich v FC Zurich

Lyon v Rubin Kazan

Ties to be played on August 16/17th and August 23/24th.


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