By Alan Duffy
Galatasaray 1-4 Arsenal – Champions League Group D – 9th December 2014
Arsenal produced an impressive, if ultimately meaningless, performance in Turkey on Tuesday, battering Galatasaray 4-1 but still finishing second in Group D courtesy of a goal difference.
The Gunners’ capitulation at home to Anderlecht (which ended 3-3) left them needing to beat Gala by six goals and hope group leaders Dortmund would draw against the Belgians on Tuesday night. Jurgen Klopp’s men did indeed only manager a draw against Anderlecht but Arsenal fell three goals short of the required target. Still, it was a positive display from the Gunners, with both Aaron Ramsey (with one particularly outstanding effort) and Lukas Podolski bagging a brace each.
Arsene Wenger rested Alexis Sanchez but was able to call on Mathieu Debuchy at right-back while a number of youngsters also got their first taste of Champions League action in the second-half. Wesley Sneijder did net a free-kick late on but overall, despite only finishing second in the group, the win will give the north Londoners a welcome boost in what has been a difficult season so far.
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Highlights…
Photos: Getty Images
Highlights: Footytube