Arsenal welcome Besiktas at their Emirates Stadium in the Champions League play-off round, second leg. The two sides played out a goalless draw in Istanbul, meaning that we are about to see an interesting encounter in London on Wednesday night.
Arsenal owners did well to keep hold of their key players in the summer transfer window and their decision is already proving fruitful. The Gunners lifted the Community Shield trophy and they are still unbeaten in the new Premier League campaign. On the other hand, Arsene Wenger’s team are trying to secure their place in the Champions League group stage for yet another term, but they need to beat Turkish side Besiktas at home ground if they are to meet their goal. The two sides played out the 0-0 draw in the first leg, meaning that the Premier League team need to go for a win at their Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. Newly-signed attacker Alexis Sanchez has yet to find his form, but seeing that Giroud and Sanogo are likely to miss the return leg, the Chilean footballer is likely to lead the line for the hosts against Besiktas.
Aaron Ramsey is out of contention due to suspension, while Walcott, Sanogo, Arteta and Giroud all miss the return leg through injuries. Gibbs and Koscielny are both doubtful.
Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Szczesny – Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal – Flamini, Wilshere – Chamberlain, Ozil, Cazorla – Sanchez.
Besiktas were more than fortunate to book their place in the Champions League qualifiers. Their local rivals Fenerbahce were banned from taking part in the elite competition and the Kara Kartallar are now on the quest to secure their spot in the Champions League group stage for the first time since the 2008/2009 season. The Turkish outfit totally outplayed Feyenoord in the two-legged tie, but eliminating Arsenal in the Champions League qualifiers is easier said than done. Slaven Bilic’s men, though, managed to keep a clean sheet (0-0) in the play-off round, first leg, but they need to find the net at the Emirates Stadium if they are to turn their dream into reality. Both sides looked very solid at the back in Istanbul and seeing that Arsene Wenger faces difficulties up front, I do not believe that we are about to see a real football festival on Wednesday evening. Taking everything into account, under 2.5 goals bet should be considered this time out.
Necip Uysal has yet to overcome his respective injury, but the good news is that Ersan Gulum and Atiba Hutchinson return to contention. Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba will lead the line for the visitors.
Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Zengin – Koybasi, Franco, Gulum, Motta – Hutchinson, Kavlak – Pektemek, Ozyakup, Sahan – Ba.
0 comments:
Post a Comment