Arsenal have progressed through to the Champions League group stages after a nervy 1-0 victory over Besiktas.
Alexis Sanchez netted his first goal for the North London club in added-on time in the first half, but the Gunners had to dig deep in an enthralling second period.
After they had wasted a number of chances, Arsenal had Mathieu Debuchy sent off for a second yellow card, but after Demba Ba squandered a close-range opportunity in the final minute, the Gunners hung on to qualify for the main stage of Europe's premier competition for the 17th successive year.
Read below to see how the action unfolded at the Emirates Stadium.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match between Arsenal and Besiktas in the Champions League playoff round.
When the draw was made for this stage of the competition, it had been hoped that a couple of away goals had put Arsenal in full control against a side that could potentially hurt them in the final third. However, after drawing a blank in Turkey, the Gunners go into tonight's match requiring a victory to guarantee their progress through to the group stages of the Champions League for the 17th successive year.
The team news is already out at the Emirates Stadium. Full details coming right up.
ARSENAL XI: Szczesny; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Flamini, Cazorla, Ozil; Sanchez
ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Martinez, Chambers, Coquelin, Rosicky, Podolski, Campbell, Sanogo
We already knew that the suspended Aaron Ramsey and the injured Olivier Giroud would be missing for Arsenal this evening, but one optional change that Arsene Wenger has decided to make is replacing Calum Chambers with Laurent Koscielny. The centre-back partnership has changed a couple of times already this season but Wenger has opted to go with his most experienced duo this evening.
In attack, Wenger had to choose between Alexis Sanchez and Yaya Sanogo to lead the line, and the Frenchman has decided to go with the Chilean, despite his preferred position being out wide. Playing Sanchez centrally didn't really work against Everton at the weekend but with Arsenal expected to have more of the ball this evening, maybe we can still see the best of the former Barcelona attacker this evening.
BESIKTAS XI: Olga, Ismail, Pedro, Ersan, Motta, Atiba, Veli, Mustafa, Oguzhan, Olcay, Demba Ba
Besiktas, who are coached by Slaven Bilic, are at full strength this evening with Demba Ba, who was awarded the man of the match award for his first-leg performance, leading the line in attack. The former Chelsea man will be keen to prove a point to his doubters on his return to England.
Going back to the Arsenal starting lineup, on paper, it's still a strong team, despite the selection problems that Arsene Wenger has had. He's arguably missing five players - Kieran Gibbs, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud - who would have started at the Emirates Stadium, but it would come as a major surprise if the players that he has selected can't get past tonight's opponents. Arsenal have also been boosted by the return of Lukas Podolski, who looks set to remain at the club despite interest from Europe.
On the off chance that Champions League football isn't your thing, you could always switch over to our League Cup coverage of the Yorkshire derby between Bradford City and Leeds United. With local pride at stake, that should be a tasty affair!
If Arsenal can find a way past Besiktas, their prize would be a place in the Champions League group stages for a 17th successive year, which would be some achievement! There would also be the added bonus that they would take a place among the top eight seeds, meaning that they would avoid the Spanish trio and Bayern Munich, but they would still be in danger of being paired with Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain or Borussia Dortmund. Still, let's forget about that until they get there...
One of the positives to come from Arsenal's performance in Turkey was the success that they had down the right-hand side, and it's an area that Arsene Wenger may look to exploit this evening. Alexis Sanchez was a constant threat before he was substituted for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who used his pace to cut inside and strike the post late on. Both men have been included this evening, and if they can combine in the same area, Arsenal should be able to create a number of opportunities inside the penalty box.
Arsene Wenger has been speaking ahead of the match, including giving his thoughts behind the selection of Alexis Sanchez and Laurent Koscielny.
PREDICTION! While Besiktas proved last week that they are more than capable in the final third, you have to fancy Arsenal to be too powerful in attack to avoid any chances of an upset tonight. It will be cagey in the opening stages, but if Arsenal can establish a rhythm with their passing, they ought to have too much for the Turkish side. 3-1 to Arsenal.
One danger for Arsenal tonight will be the threat of an away goal from Besiktas. It will only take one goal from the Turkish outfit to force Arsenal to get the job done in 90 minutes. They will back themselves to score more than a couple of goals this evening, but still, it's a dilemma that they would prefer not to have. If they can start well and get an early goal, Arsenal should win this, but I suppose stranger things have happened.
The two teams have made their way out onto the pitch at the Emirates Stadium to embrace the traditional Champions League theme tune. For one club, that will be the last time that they hear that music this season...
We are underway in North London.
Straight from the off, Arsenal target the right-hand side to make inroads into the penalty area but Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross is well cleared by the defence. Positive start though.
It's Mathieu Debuchy's turn to burst down the right and on this occasion, Arsenal win a corner. Per Mertesacker almost gets his head to the ball but Besiktas survive.
The pattern to this game is pretty much as you would imagine. Apart from one early break, Besiktas have barely come out of their own half, which is allowing Arsenal to build some momentum in the middle third. Another Arsenal set piece is sent into the penalty area, but it is easily claimed by the goalkeeper.
CHANCE! The first real opportunity for Arsenal falls to Jack Wilshere, but after dancing into the penalty area, the Englishman could only drag his left-footed effort wide of the far post.
CHANCE! Besiktas goalkeeper Tolga Zengin has had an almighty let off. He was indecisive when attempting to clear the ball, but after it arrived at the feet of Santi Cazorla around 50 yards from goal, he could only float the ball several yards wide of the post. He should have done better.
BOOKING! The first yellow card of the evening goes to Mathieu Debuchy after he jumped in late on Olcay Sahan. On first viewing, it looked a tad theatrical from the Turkish attacker but he was definitely caught by the Frenchman's shoulder.
That booking has allowed Besiktas the chance to have a bit more time on the ball and slow the pace of the game down a notch. They can't create anything of note though, and Arsenal have regained possession.
Like at the weekend, we haven't seen much of Alexis Sanchez in a central position. He seems more inclined to be dropping wide or deep to take possession of the ball but when he does, that's leaving Arsenal a bit light in the middle.
Arsenal win a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, but it looks a little harsh on Ersan Gulum, who seemed to win the ball from Santi Cazorla. Veli Kavlak has been booked for his protests.
Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are the men standing over the ball. It's Sanchez who takes it, and while his effort is on target, it's lacking pace and Tolga Zengin easily deals with the shot.
OUCH! Mathieu Debuchy and Ramon Motta both have eyes on a high ball but they only succeed in clashing with one another. It's a nasty collision but the two players are back on their feet after treatment.
We are 30 minutes into this contest and so far, Arsenal are definitely missing their absentees. Despite having some joy down the flanks, there isn't a clinical touch in the middle and it would come as no surprise if Arsene Wenger changes things up at the break.
BOOKING! That was pretty blatant from Oguzhan Ozyakup, who takes out the advancing Laurent Koscielny on the right touchline. The French defender didn't look too impressed with being sent sprawling to the ground.
Talk about fine margins! After beating Laurent Koscielny, Mustafa Pektemek raced into the penalty area only to be stopped by a last-ditch challenge by Mathieu Debuchy. It had to be perfect or else that would having been a sending off for the full-back and a penalty for Besiktas.
You have to be impressed by Besiktas this evening. They haven't been overawed and are prepared to be patient with their build-up play. Keep this up and they could definitely sneak a result against Arsene Wenger's side.
That's better from the Gunners, who surge forward through Jack Wilshere, but after the midfielder attempted a difficult ball through to Alexis Sanchez, the Chilean couldn't bring the ball in time to get his shot on goal before an intervention from Tolga Zengin.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Besiktas (Sanchez)
Literally seconds before the half-time whistle, Arsenal take the lead! Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil combined before the ball was flicked over the Besiktas defence for Alexis Sanchez to net his first Arsenal goal by firing home from 12 yards. The return ball looked to be intended for Wilshere, but the midfielder won't mind - his team have the advantage at the Emirates Stadium.
HALF TIME: Arsenal 1-0 Besiktas
What a time to open your account for your new club, huh? The half-time whistle goes and Arsenal are ahead against Besiktas. In truth, it's been a poor performance from the Premier League side, with only Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla having any impact in the final third before Sanchez's goal, but Arsenal are ahead and that's all that matters.
The half-time statistics aren't too complimentary to the Turkish side, but despite going a goal behind, they are well in this. They've had Arsenal on the back foot on more than one occasion, while they've perhaps been unlucky not to have been awarded a spot kick after a couple of debatable challenges.
We are back underway at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are soon on the attack but after Alexis Sanchez and Alex Olxade-Chamberlain linked up on the right before playing in Santi Cazorla, the Spaniard couldn't get his shot away from the edge of the penalty area.
CHANCE! At half time, I should have mentioned that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has had his moments, and he shows his quality once again by spraying the ball out to Santi Cazorla. The Spaniard seems in two minds what to do, but after deciding to take the shot on, his left-foot strike went wide of the far post.
CHANCE! That could have been the moment for Arsenal! Jack Wilshere does tremendously to dink the ball to Alexis Sanchez, but after six yards out, the Chilean's shot is deflected wide for a corner. That should have been 2-0.
Besiktas have improved during the past few minutes and a late challenge from Laurent Koscielny has given them win a free kick from 30 yards out. There are a number of men standing over the ball but it's Oguzhan Ozyakup who steps up to bend the ball over the crossbar.
CHANCE! Jack Wilshere has been excellent this evening and another promising run ends with him playing the ball out to Mesut Ozil, who manages to draw the foul out of the defender to the side of the penalty area. Santi Cazorla's free kick finds Mathieu Debuchy at the back post but the Frenchman can't head home from two yards out. It's a sharp chance but he should have found the back of the net.
SUBSTITUTION! Besiktas make the first change of the evening, with former Chelsea youngster Gokhan Tore coming on to replace Olcay Sahan.
CHANCE! Arsenal play themselves into trouble inside their own penalty area and the ball ricochets to Demba Ba, who fires the ball into the side-netting from eight yards. He should have perhaps done better.
It's all Besiktas at the moment and Arsenal are having to dig deep to try to clear the ball. it can't be long before Arsene Wenger makes a change because the Turkish side have upped their work-rate in the last few minutes.
Alexis Sanchez has started to show some of the industry that won so many admirers at this summer's World Cup, but after winning a free kick, the delivery into the box was poor and Arsenal conceded a free kick of their own.
RED CARD! Drama at the Emirates Stadium. Mathieu Debuchy has been sent off for a second yellow card after it was deemed that he had unfairly brought a halt to a Besiktas breakaway. The Frenchman is furious and he comes close to crossing the line with the referee until he is encouraged to leave the pitch.
BOOKING! The referee has lost control of this. Calum Chambers has been introduced to replace Debuchy on the right-hand side but he has instantly been booked for entering the field of play without permission! There's petty and there's what the referee has just done. Unbelievable.
Before all of that, Arsenal wasted three opportunities to put this game to bed. After a three-on-two counter-attack, Alexis Sanchez failed to get his shot away when well placed before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fired straight at the goalkeeper from six yards. After the controversy regarding sending off and booking, Sanchez was given the ball inside the penalty area but his shot was directed over the crossbar.
CHANCE! The ball is fizzed across the area towards Demba Ba, but the forward can't direct his header into the corner from 12 yards. It's all very nervy at the Emirates now!
This has been such an enthralling match, even more so that Arsenal are down to 10 men. The action is going back and forth and there might just be another goal in this. Arsenal need to be careful.
BOOKING! The referee is having an absolute nightmare! After the ball was given to him for a goal kick, Wojciech Szczesny was in possession of the ball for just a few seconds before the referee gave him a yellow card for time-wasting.
CHANCE! Oh my word, what a chance for Demba Ba! Gokhan Tore sends in the perfect cross from the right-hand side and it appears as though Ba only needs to glance the ball into the corner. However, he fails to make contact and the ball goes out for a goal kick.
There will be four minutes of added-on time.
It's end to end at the Emirates! Arsenal aren't safe yet.
Besiktas are really applying the pressure here but Arsenal have a goal kick. Just a minute to go!
FULL TIME! Arsenal 1-0 Besiktas
Arsenal supporters, you can finally breathe because your team have just about hung on at the Emirates Stadium! They can count themselves fortunate but they are in the group stage of the Champions League for the 17th successive year.
Some of the Arsenal players are out on their feet. Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez ran themselves into the ground in that second half. Others, namely Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and Wojciech Szczesny, are asking the referee why they received the punishment that they did in the final 15 minutes. Debuchy has to be advised to move away by his teammates!
That will be all from Sports Mole's coverage of this match. We hope that you stick around for all of the reaction from the Emirates Stadium, but if not, we hope to see you for coverage of the Champions League draw tomorrow afternoon. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
