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Arsenal logo
Champions League | Playoff Round
Aug 27, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Besiktas

1-0

Sanchez (45')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Arsenal vs. Besiktas

Sports Mole takes a closer look at the upcoming Champions League qualifier between Premier League side Arsenal and Besiktas at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal will hope that their failure to score an away goal in Turkey last week will not return to haunt them when Besiktas arrive at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The two sides will meet for the second time in a week in North London, having played out a 0-0 draw in Istanbul, with the winner confirming their place in the group stages of this season's Champions League.

If the hosting Gunners are to qualify, they will have to do so without the services of Aaron Ramsey, who is suspended following the first red card of his career that he received in the first leg. The Welsh midfielder has scored in both of Arsenal's Premier League matches this season.

Captain Mikel Arteta has also been ruled out with an ankle injury, while the same type of complaint could keep centre-forward Olivier Giroud from featuring.

In terms of replacements for Giroud, Yaya Sanogo is facing a race against time to be fit because of a hamstring problem, which is likely to mean that Alexis Sanchez will take up the lone striker responsibility. With Lukas Podolski expected to leave the club, the only other alternative available to manager Arsene Wenger would be Costa Rica international Joel Campbell.

Germany internationals Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker also returned to the fold against Everton and both are likely to retain their places, with the latter potentially replacing youngster Calum Chambers.

As for visiting Besiktas, who are yet to start their domestic campaign, they have no fresh injury concerns, with former Chelsea striker Demba Ba expected to start.

Arsenal are yet to lose to a Turkish side at home, having remained unbeaten in their three matches, while no club from the Eastern European country has been able to get the better of the Premier League side over 90 minutes.

However, Besiktas have previously won in England following victories at the expense of Chelsea and Manchester United in 2003 and 2009 respectively.

Recent form

Arsenal: WDD

Besiktas: WWD

Possible starting lineups

Arsenal: Szczesny; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Wilshere; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Cazorla; Sanchez

Besiktas: Zengin; Koybasi, Franco, Gulum, Motta; Ozyakup, Uysal, Kavlak, Sahan, Pektemek; Ba

Sports Mole says: 2-0


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Olivier Giroud of Arsenal scores his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on August 23, 2014
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