Arsenal began life after Cesc Fabregas in unconvincing fashion as Theo Walcott’s goal secured a fortunate 1-0 win over Udinese in the Champions League play-off round first leg at the Emirates Stadium yesterday.

Just 24 hours after Fabregas finally completed his long-awaited move to Barcelona, Arsene Wenger’s team began their attempt to qualify for the group stages of Europe’s elite club competition with a patchy display that hardly bodes well for their prospects without the Spaniard.

Although Walcott’s first-half goal at least gave Arsenal a slender advantage to protect in the second leg in Italy today week, the Gunners will have to improve to avoid an embarrassing early exit.

Fabregas’s ability to retain possession and launch attacks was sorely missed and Arsenal needed a large dose of luck to hold on to their lead as Udinese carved open their shaky defence time and again.

Udinese captain Antonio Di Natale had described this as the biggest game in the Italian club’s history, but the repercussions of failing to make the main draw would be far more damaging for Wenger and Arsenal.

After six years without a trophy, it is no longer just a restless minority of the club’s supporters who doubt Wenger, as emphasised by the rows of empty seats and gloomy atmosphere.

In the circumstances, spending a season in the Europa League is an extremely unpalatable thought for Wenger, who was serving a touchline ban following last season’s stormy Champions League exit in Barcelona.

Robin van Persie, newly-installed as captain, was banned after his red card in the Nou Camp, while Jack Wilshere and Samir Nasri were also missing through injury and suspension.

In France, a Jimmy Briand header 19 minutes from time completed a rousing fightback from Lyon as the French club beat Rubin Kazan 3-1.

Vladimir Dyadyun had stunned the Stade de Gerland as he handed the Russian visitors a third-minute lead, but Bafetimbi Gomis led the Lyon response, by scoring one and creating another to give Remi Garde’s side the lead before Briand sealed the win in a refreshingly open contest.

Lyon are bidding to reach the group stages of Europe’s elite club competition for the 12th consecutive season.

Benfica are favourites to advance to the group stage after coming away from their trip to face Twente Enschede with a 2-2 draw.

Jorge Jesus’s side were under the cosh early on in this first leg and fell behind just six minutes in when Luuk de Jong fired home from the edge of the area.

However, Benfica responded well, with Oscar Cardozo equalising from the distance after 20 minutes before former Barcelona ‘B’ star Nolito finished off a fine move inspired by Axel Witsel to allow the visitors to go in at the interval with the lead.

The concession of those goals highlighted the Dutch Cup holders’ defensive weaknesses, but the introduction of Marc Janko in attack after the break gave them more of a threat going forward.

There were only ten minutes remaining when Bryan Ruiz headed past Artur to square the tie on the night, although the away goals leave the Portuguese team in a strong position ahead of the return in Lisbon.

Play-off round

Second legs: August 23-24.