Champions League: Arsenal 1-0 Besiktas (Agg: 1-0) – Sanchez Stars As 10-Man Gunners Battle Into Group Stages Once Again (Photos & Highlights)

Alan Duffy

27th, August 2014

4 Comments

By Alan Duffy

Arsenal 1-0 Besiktas (Agg: 1-0) – Champions League Play-Off 2nd Leg – 27th August 2014

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Arsenal’s 17th consecutive season in the Champions League proper was a hard-fought achievement with nerves frayed and nails chewed at the Emirates against Besiktas.

The Gunners were matched by the Turkish visitors throughout but got that vital goal on the stoke of half-time courtesy of Alexis Sanchez with his first for his new club. Jack Wilshere had a major part to play in that goal and the England midfielder was one of the Gunners’ better performers on the night.

The home side were lucky to see a rash Mathieu Debuchy challenge in the Arsenal box ignored by referee Pedro Proença although the Frenchman would see red for a second bookable offence in the second period. As the game wore on, the tension in the stadium rose with Besiktas pushing for a goal. However, Sanchez along with Santi Cazorla amongst others never stopped running although Arsenal did ride their luck a bit late on when Demba Ba missed a great chance to head home a decisive equaliser.

Arsenal go through but the need to add a few orcs to his team of hobbits remains vital for Arsene Wenger if his side are to challenge for both the Premier League and Champions League titles this season.

Photos…

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Highlights…

Photos: PA

Highlights: Footytube

Posted in Arsenal, Champions League, Newsnow, Videos

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4 Comments

  1. Jarren says:

    Anyone else having problems today with WAATP when loading pages?

    My browser keeps freezing for 15-20 seconds then says “widgets.outbrain.com/outbrain.js:69” in a popup.

    And no, I don’t have malware.

  2. London Broncos Rugby League Fan says:

    @Jarren: Not at the moment. Maybe you caught the page at a time of uploading.

    Thank you for the highlights and pics WAATP! Was gutted I missed this match due to work, but thanks massively for the great highlights. Much appreciated!

  3. Straight Dave says:

    You didn’t mention anything about Besiktas having two stonewallers turned down.

  4. Jarren says:

    No worries, all back to normal now.

    Cheers for the reply London Broncos Rugby League Fan.

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