IT'S a lead - but Arsenal's hopes of Champions League progress are precariously balanced.
Gunners fans were looking for signs there will be life after the sale of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona.
But their dreams of success in Europe's biggest competition could be snuffed out as early as next Wednesday, when the second leg of this play-off takes place in Udinese.
And defeat will mean dropping into the Europa League.
There was a lot of huff and puff without much quality from a team who are so far removed from the 2003-04 glory days of The Invincibles.
If there is a chink of light, at least new skipper Robin van Persie will be back after suspension for the return.
And the Gunners will pray influential midfielder Jack Wilshere recovers from injury.
They could see Arsenal through. But it will take more than those two to bring the club long-term success again.
Arsene Wenger - who was banned from the touchline last night and had to watch from the stands - has surely seen enough to know he has to recruit players of real pedigree or their season will be over before it has begun.
Theo Walcott's fourth-minute strike seemed to have set up the Gunners nicely to get through this tie.
And if Walcott had finished a great chance from 10 yards in the final minute - which was superbly saved by Samir Handanovic diving to his left - they would have been breathing a lot more easily.
Instead it will be a nervous night in Udinese.
And the Italians certainly showed enough to give Arsenal serious concern. Udinese really should have gone home with a goal in the bank.
Experienced Italy international Antonio Di Natale hit the bar with one free-kick, had another well saved by Wojciech Szczesny and missed two more opportunities.
Pablo Armero was also denied by a fine Szczesny stop.
Arsenal had been in four previous play-offs for the Champions League proper and come through easily.
But last night was a very different proposition, with boss Wenger under so much pressure from the fans and a perception the whole edifice was falling apart.
The Emirates was far from full either, which was another sign of the times.
Udinese had not started their season in Serie A, which meant Arsenal had the advantage they were already up and running.
But there was a nervousness round the stadium and an awareness the opposition had dangerous players in the likes of Ghanaian Kwadwo Asamoah and Di Natale.
Though he is now 33, Di Natale has been top scorer in Serie A for the last two seasons and averages a goal every two games.
Arsenal needed to start well to ensure the crowd did not get restless - and did exactly that.
Udinese's defence was nowhere as Bacary Sagna picked out Aaron Ramsey in acres of space down the right and the Welshman fired in a low cross towards the near post.
Walcott had timed his run perfectly and steered home a side-foot volley from close range.
After such an uncomfortable summer, Wenger could not have wished for a better pick-me-up.
But his side did not build on their early success. And when Walcott was booked for fouling Neuton, Di Natale produced a brilliant curling free-kick which rattled back off the crossbar.
Udinese were dangerous on the break and Armero should have equalised on 26 minutes after a burst out of defence which took him past Sagna and clean through.
The Colombian almost had too much time and shot too near Szczesny, who saved well.
The rebound fell to Mauricio Isla. But Alex Song, who had run back 70 yards, was on top of him to block.
Di Natale went close again with a 16-yard shot.
And the Italian had another chance soon after the break when he collected in the box.
But as he shaped to shoot, Johan Djourou - on as sub for Kieran Gibbs - slid across to make a crucial block.
Unfortunately for Djourou, he lasted only eight minutes before limping off to be replaced by new-boy Carl Jenkinson.
Udinese sensed they could embarrass Arsenal.
Isla wrestled his way past Jenkinson to shoot across goal while Armero fired just over from 20 yards.
Wenger's men needed a second goal to ease the growing tension. And when Ramsey put Walcott away it looked like the moment had come.
But the England man made a right hash of the opportunity, scooping a strange effort with the outside of his right foot straight to the keeper.
Another special Di Natale free-kick curled over the wall but Szczesny saved well.
So Arsenal held out - and Walcott knows he should have made it two at the death.
If only that had gone in, life would be so much easier.
Now there is still a lot of work to do.
Gunners fans were looking for signs there will be life after the sale of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona.
But their dreams of success in Europe's biggest competition could be snuffed out as early as next Wednesday, when the second leg of this play-off takes place in Udinese.
And defeat will mean dropping into the Europa League. There was a lot of huff and puff without much quality from a team who are so far removed from the 2003-04 glory days of The Invincibles.
If there is a chink of light, at least new skipper Robin van Persie will be back after suspension for the return.
And the Gunners will pray influential midfielder Jack Wilshere recovers from injury.
They could see Arsenal through. But it will take more than those two to bring the club long-term success again.
Arsene Wenger - who was banned from the touchline last night and had to watch from the stands - has surely seen enough to know he has to recruit players of real pedigree or their season will be over before it has begun.
Theo Walcott's fourth-minute strike seemed to have set up the Gunners nicely to get through this tie.
And if Walcott had finished a great chance from 10 yards in the final minute - which was superbly saved by Samir Handanovic diving to his left - they would have been breathing a lot more easily.
Instead it will be a nervous night in Udinese.
And the Italians certainly showed enough to give Arsenal serious concern. Udinese really should have gone home with a goal in the bank.
Experienced Italy international Antonio Di Natale hit the bar with one free-kick, had another well saved by Wojciech Szczesny and missed two more opportunities.
Pablo Armero was also denied by a fine Szczesny stop.
Arsenal had been in four previous play-offs for the Champions League proper and come through easily.
But last night was a very different proposition, with boss Wenger under so much pressure from the fans and a perception the whole edifice was falling apart.
The Emirates was far from full either, which was another sign of the times.
Udinese had not started their season in Serie A, which meant Arsenal had the advantage they were already up and running.
But there was a nervousness round the stadium and an awareness the opposition had dangerous players in the likes of Ghanaian Kwadwo Asamoah and Di Natale.
Though he is now 33, Di Natale has been top scorer in Serie A for the last two seasons and averages a goal every two games.
Arsenal needed to start well to ensure the crowd did not get restless - and did exactly that.
Udinese's defence was nowhere as Bacary Sagna picked out Aaron Ramsey in acres of space down the right and the Welshman fired in a low cross towards the near post.
Walcott had timed his run perfectly and steered home a side-foot volley from close range.
After such an uncomfortable summer, Wenger could not have wished for a better pick-me-up.
But his side did not build on their early success. And when Walcott was booked for fouling Neuton, Di Natale produced a brilliant curling free-kick which rattled back off the crossbar.
Udinese were dangerous on the break and Armero should have equalised on 26 minutes after a burst out of defence which took him past Sagna and clean through.
The Colombian almost had too much time and shot too near Szczesny, who saved well.
The rebound fell to Mauricio Isla. But Alex Song, who had run back 70 yards, was on top of him to block.
Di Natale went close again with a 16-yard shot.
And the Italian had another chance soon after the break when he collected in the box.
But as he shaped to shoot, Johan Djourou - on as sub for Kieran Gibbs - slid across to make a crucial block.
Unfortunately for Djourou, he lasted only eight minutes before limping off to be replaced by new-boy Carl Jenkinson.
Udinese sensed they could embarrass Arsenal.
Isla wrestled his way past Jenkinson to shoot across goal while Armero fired just over from 20 yards.
Wenger's men needed a second goal to ease the growing tension. And when Ramsey put Walcott away it looked like the moment had come.
But the England man made a right hash of the opportunity, scooping a strange effort with the outside of his right foot straight to the keeper.
Another special Di Natale free-kick curled over the wall but Szczesny saved well.
So Arsenal held out - and Walcott knows he should have made it two at the death.
If only that had gone in, life would be so much easier.
Now there is still a lot of work to do.
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