Arsenal hang on for a tight 1-0 win over a zealous Besiktas outfit. The Gunners looked good at times but will have to work on their final touch if they hope to be trophy winners this season.
Sanchez struggled as a lone striker and I suspect the Gunners will be looking for a short term replacement for the injured Olivier Giroud.
Arsenal were perhaps lucky in the end to hold on for victory, but Besiktas just couldn’t get that final ball right.
Demba Ba had another promising game and should thrive in Turkey this season.
FINAL SCORE:
Arsenal 1
Besiktas 0
Arsenal will be looking to book their place in the Champions League this morning as they do battle with Turkish side Besiktas. Join us on The Roar for live updates and commentary from 4:45am (AEST).
After a 0-0 away draw in Turkey, the Gunners will be keen to impress on home soil and ensure their place in Europe’s grandest tournament.
Following a come from behind Premier League 2-2 draw with cross-town rivals Everton on Saturday, Arsenal will be looking for a tighter defence against Besiktas if they want their qualification dreams to remain alive.
While Besiktas, yet to start their domestic campaign, are keen to sneak a win against an Arsenal side hit with injuries and suspension.
For Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey will sit out the game after picking up the first red card of his career in the first leg of the competition. Similarly, captain Mikel Arteta and striker Olivier Giroud are both expected to miss out with respective ankle injuries.
Such an injury toll may well leave new comer Alexis Sanchez serving as the Gunners lone striker after an early substitution against Everton.
In Arsenal’s favour, World Cup winners Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker are expected to start after returning to action against Everton.
Besiktas on the other hand are injury free and will field a full strength team including former Newcastle and Chelsea player Demba Ba.
Ba impressed in his third competitive performance for the Turkish side, nearly scoring spectacularly from the kick-off in the first leg, having already scored three times in qualifying.
The Turkish side will likely face an up-hill battle playing away against a team yet to lose at home to a Turkish side in three matches. They do however, have a history of knocking off Premier League giants having beaten Chelsea and Manchester United in 2003 and 2009 respectively.
Could they pull off another upset?
Find out here at the bright and early time of 4.45am as Arsenal host Besiktas in the quest to make it to the Champions’ League group stage.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
MATCH REVIEW Well that's it from me this morning as Arsenal hang on for a tight 1-0 win over a zealous Besiktas outfit. The Gunners looked good at times but will have to work on their final touch if they hope to be trophy winners this season. Sanchez struggled as a lone striker and i suspect the Gunners will be looking for a short term replacement for an injured Giroud. Lucky in the end to hold on for victory but Besiktas just couldn't get that final ball right. Demba Ba had another promising game and should thrive in Turkey this season. I hope you enjoyed the match and are looking forward to Champions League football as much as i am!
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
Some tense shaking of hands as Debuchy storms onto the pitch to argue with the ref about his sending off.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
94'- FULL TIME Arsenal are through to the Champions League with a narrow 1-0 win at the expense of a spirited Besiktas.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
92'- Besiktas with some nice build up play but Arsenal able to block the final shot.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90'- Besiktas pick up a 6th Yellow card as the fourth official inidcates four minutes of added time.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
89'- Ba shoots and narrowly missed from a header at the far left hand post.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
87'- Besiktas make their final change as they look desperately for what would surely be a qualifying goal?
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
85'- Besiktas pick up their 5th Yellow Card as they begin to show their frustration. The Arsenal keeper also picking up a yellow for time wasting.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
84'- A very open final few minutes here, as Arsenal and Besiktas show their desperation to make the Champions League.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
82'- Besiktas with two blocked shots as Arsenal get enough Red and White shirts behind the ball.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
79'- Besiktas pick up their 4th yellow card as Sanchez draws a foul after escaping three defenders.
ian
Guest
Audit the ref
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
75'- RED CARD: Debuchy picks up his second yellow and receives his marching orders. Two clear fouls and Arsenal are put on the ropes with 15 minutes remaining.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
73'- A goal box scarmble here for Besiktas as Arsenal are somehow held. Chamberlain with a shot on goal that is just parryed by the Besiktas keeper who Chamberlain shots straight at. Sanchez had eariler chance as he broke against two Besiktas defenders with two Arsenal players either side but lacked decisiveness.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
69'- Ozil takes the free-kick only for a foul to be called against Chamberlain. Besiktas bombing it forward in the hope of a quick break.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
67'-Besiktas really pushing for a goal here with what looks to be three strikers. They've got to be careful of an Arsenal counter however with Sanchez making a good run down the right and drawing a foul.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
64'- Demba Ba finds himself with the ball in the penalty box after a fortunate deflection, his venomous shot skews wide however rippling the side netting.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
62'- First substition of the game coming for Besiktas as they look to energize their attack and grab a crucial away goal.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
59'- Ozil fouled just on the left of the penalty box, Carzola takes the free-kick beautifully to the far right hand post only for Debuchy to scuff a free header into the side of the net.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
56'- Koscielny gives away a penalty just a few yards out of the box, with the resulting free-kick just skying over the right hand corner.