Antonio ‘Toto’ Di Natale – Arsenal Killer?

Adored in Udine and a talisman for the Zebrette or ‘little zebras’, Antonio Di Natale is the man more than any other on whose shoulders rest Udinese hopes of stunning Arsenal and securing a place in the Champions League proper. 1-0 down from the first leg at the Emirates, a 27,000-strong crowd is expected at the Stadio Friuli for what should be a very interesting game given the narrow margin and the problems Arsenal currently have of their own. With the summer departures of Alexis Sanchez and Gokhan Inler, Di Natale’s role as chief attacking threat for Udinese is only further accentuated.

Here’s a closer look at the eye for goal and clinical finishing of the 33-year-old Italian striker, now in his eighth season at Udinese, with 100 of his 112 goals for the northeast Italian club. If Arsenal are to avoid being elminated from Europe’s elite competition before it even begins, keeping ‘Toto’ quiet will be a priority.

Antonio Di Natale, Arsenal, Champions League, Italian Serie A, Italy, Udinese