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Kieran Gibbs
51'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F13%2F34%2Fchelsea-aston-villa_3.jpg "Fenerbahce 0-3 Arsenal - as it happened")
Arsenal travelled to Turkey for the first leg of their Champions League qualifier tonight, with Fenerbahce standing in their way of a place in the group stages for a 16th successive season.
The Gunners started brightly at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, eventually making their dominance count to take the lead through Kieran Gibbs on 55 minutes.
Aaron Ramsey doubled their advantage soon after with a strike from range, with Olivier Giroud's late penalty sealing a morale-boosting win for Arsene Wenger's men.
Look back at a heartening display from the Gunners with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
9.48pmThat just does about does it on a night that gives Arsenal something to build on after a tough opening game. New recruits are still badly needed for Wenger's men, but this performance under pressure should provide the current cast with a much-needed confidence boost ahead of a trip to Fulham this weekend. Goodnight!
9.45pmPlenty of positives tonight for Arsenal, which must be a welcome relief for Wenger. Ramsey and Rosicky were terrific in central midfield for the visitors, while Walcott eventually made his pace count out wide. Another goal for Giroud too, who is two for two this season!
9.42pmWell in truth Fenerbahce were very poor tonight but Arsenal produced an efficient display to get a morale-boosting, and resounding win. Wenger's side have one foot in the group stages for a 16th successive season.
9.39pmFULL-TIME Fenerbahce 0-3 Arsenal
90 min+3Fener hoist forward as Alves smashes a diagonal to the back post, which eventually falls to Kuyt outside the penalty area. Arsenal win the ball back through Podolski, before Cazorla switches play beautifully to Jenkinson, who forces a late save from Volkan.
90 min+1SAVE! Szczesnt protects his clean sheet as we head towards stoppage time, turning behind a hopeful blast by Emmunike towards the near post. Three minutes of added time to come here.
89 minJenkinson shows terrific running to get forward late on, sending a dangerous cross into the penalty area that is sliced behind by Yobo for a corner kick, which the Gunners take short to Cazorla.
88 minSUBSTITUTION: A late first involvement of the season for Nacho Monreal, with the Spaniard on in place of Theo Walcott to help shore things up at the back with added protection.
86 minEmenike sneaks in between Arsenal's two central defenders to head at goal, but his looping effort is never troubling Szczesny and flies over the bar. Mertesacker and Sagna share heated words before the goal kick, with the both men clearly desperate to keep this clean sheet in the closing stages.
83 minSAVE! Fener nearly catch Arsenal cold when play resumes, with Kadlec's scuffed drive from 12 yards tipped clear by a sprawling dive form Szczesny, with Gibbs hammering under pressure from Sow at the far post. Fener have also made a late change, with Potuk replacing Meireles for the final few minutes.
81 minSUBSTITUTION: Arsenal could really go in for the kill now in the closing stages, with Fener looking tired and deflated. Wenger has opted for a change in attack ahead of a trip to Fulham on Saturday afternoon, with Giroud replaced by Podolski for his first action of the season.
78 minGOAL! Fenerbahce 0-3 Arsenal (Giroud)
77 minPENALTY TO ARSENAL! Walcott has won Arsenal a penalty after being bundled over on the far side by Kadlec. Fenerbahce are protesting to the official behind the goal who seemed to give it, but that challenge was clumsy and gives Giroud a chance to net from the spot.
76 minArsenal get another warning to maintain concentration as Meireles slides a ball into the penalty area that evades Sow at the near post. Szczesny then gets booked for timewasting from the goal kick, as he runs off to collect another ball.
74 minKuyt is caught offside on the far side as Fener desperately search for a way back into the tie. At the other end Walcott reacts quickest to a sliced clearance from Volkan, hammering well over from a tight angle.
71 minEmenike's first involvement is a hurried drive from distance, which hurtles off towards the corner flag. Sow then goes much closer though from the next attack, evading Sagna to flash just over the crossbar from 20 yards!
69 minYELLOW CARD! Sow wins a corner for Fener form a long ball when play resumes, but from the corner Bruno Alves knees Mertesacker in the back while contesting a header. The veteran deserves his caution as the German writhes round in pain on the floor, but after a moment to catch his breath is fine to continue.
67 minClear daylight for the Gunners as Aaron Ramsey gets a goal his terrific driving performance in midfield probably deserves. The Welshman was given time and space to shoot outside the box and let fly with a low strike. His effort was well inside the bottom corner and should have been saved by Volkan, but the keeper reacts late and can only palm into his own net.
65 minGOAL! Fenerbahce 0-2 Arsenal (Ramsey)
64 minSUBSTITUTION: Fenerbahce make a second change in search of a much-needed spark in the final third. Summer signing Emenike is the player introduced, with the Nigerian replacing Webo. Just before that change Arsenal forced Volkan to palm clear at his near post, with Wilshere's strike from a tight angle punched away.
61 minWebo sends a frankly embarrassing strike well wide of the target. We have just received an injury update on Koscielny's head wound, with Arsenal physio Colin Lewin describing the cut as a "horrible, ridiculous" gash that is still being stitched up.
58 minThe Gunners should have just added a quick-fire second. Walcott arrived at the right time to take the ball off Wilshere, but his attempted chip over Volkan was read by the onrushing goalkepeer. At the other end Fener nearly catch the Gunners off-guard in the box with a high ball, but Szczesny is brave to beat Sow with a sprawling stop, clearing danger but taking studs to the face for his troubles.
55 minArsenal get a goal after carving the hosts open with some sublime passing in the final third. First Ramsey clipped Walcott beyond Kadlec with delicious flick inside. He then looked up and rolled in Gibbs at the far post, with the full-back arriving unmarked to roof into the top corner from close range. No less than the Gunners deserve and a precious away goal!
53 minGOAL! Fenerbahce 0-1 Arsenal (Gibbs)
52 minSHOT! Kuyt is presented with a chance to shoot from range as Ramsey is caught in possession, with the Dutchman driving over from around 25 yards out. Fenerbahce look more vibrant early in the second half, as Arsenal choose to keep possession deep before Cazorla finds Gibbs with a quick switch of play.
50 minJenkinson breaks down the right and wins a corner under pressure from two covering defenders. Walcott goes across to take, but his curling cross is headed away. Wilshere attempts to recycle possession and pass forward, with his attempted through ball blocked away by Meireles.
48 minSUBSTITUTION: A change to report for the hosts as they kick off for the second half, with Gokhan Gonul replacing Irtegun at right-back. Fener are quickly on the attack when play resumes, but Meireles gives the ball away before Topal fouls Rosicky on the halfway line.
8.48pmJust to underline Arsenal's dominance so far tonight, a quick look at the stats shows six shots at goal with three on target to Fenerbahce's zero. 52% possession matters little at this stage though for Wenger's side, who must turn their control into clear-cut chances when play resumes.
8.46pmWalcott could well be the key for Arsenal as tired legs start to kick after the break. The winger frightens Kadlec every time he bursts down the right, but has so far failed to turn that promise into a meaningful moment for the visitors. I'd also definitely expect to see Podolski come on at some point during the second period, with a German a forward who despite inconsistency is more than capable of hammering home if given service in and around the penalty area.
8.43pmThe Gunners could also have done without losing Koscielny during the first half, with the Frenchman taking a whack to the head from Webo's right boot that has forced him off with a head split wide open. Sagna has moved to centre-back, a position he will almost certainly be forced to retain when Arsenal visit Fulham in the Premier League this weekend.
8.40pmThere has been much to admire about Arsenal's play during that opening period, without a ruthless streak in the final third. Ramsey, Rosicky and Cazorla have dictated play with a frenzy of short passes in midfield, but at times Giroud has looked isolated in the penalty area.
8.37pmWell Arsenal have been in almost total control of the match without having a goal to show for it. Fenerbahce have failed to muster a shot at goal in the first 45 minutes, but surely can't play that badly again after the break.
8.34pmHALF-TIME Fenerbahce 0-0 Arsenal
45 min+3Giroud collects a through ball from Wilshere inside the penalty area, but under pressure from Alves skies over the crossbar. The Gunners have just lacked a cutting edge to their fine play in midfield in an encouraging first 45 minutes.
45 min+1Kuyt shuts down a cross from Gibbs as Arsenal continue to probe patiently heading into first-half stoppage time. The referee has awarded three additional minutes as Rosicky and Ramsey exchange passes in midfield for the visitors.
45 minRamsey and Walcott are both by last-ditch blocks inside the box as Arsenal threaten once more. Giroud then does brilliantly to keep the move alive under pressure, hooking a cross towards the far post that is eventually hammered away by Kadlec.
43 minWilshere finds some space on the left wing for Arsenal after losing his marker, but a telegraphed cross chipped high is easily gathered by Volkan. At the other end Mertesacker is then forced into action, smashing clear Topal's low pass in search of Webo.
41 minKuyt is a little unlucky to concede a free kick after appearing to beat Wilshere to the ball in central midfield, with Arsenal attacking down the right soon after as Jenkinson overlaps.
39 minThe Gunners desperately need to get more support to Giroud inside the penalty area. The Frenchman was the only player attempting to meet a clever ball towards the penalty spot from Walcott, with Fenerbahce able to use a numerical advantage to clear with relative ease.
37 minArsenal press forward when play resumes, with Walcott's pass in search of Giroud cleared by a covering challenge from Yobo. Fenerbahce will want to put a changed Arsenal defence under pressure quickly before the break, with the noise levels going up a gear as the home crowd look for a response from their team.
35 minSUBSTITUTION: Kosicelny is losing blood and cannot continue, with Jenkinson quickly swapped on as a replacement. That change will mean Sagna moves across to centre-back, a position he played in frequently during pre-season, more out of necessity than anything else.
34 minYELLOW CARD! Webo picks up a yellow card he merits after kicking Koscielny full in the face. The striker was attempting to meet a high pass but was clearly second favourite, with a dangerous challenge rewarded with a caution. The French defender has stayed down and looks to be bleeding, which is a massive concern for Wenger given their lack of options in central defence.
31 minRosicky's attempted exchange with Giroud inside the penalty area is just about cleared by Volkan as Arsenal probe inside the final third. The Gunners need to get Walcott on the ball more down that right-hand side, with the winger definitely capable of beating Kadlec to create chances.
29 minWilshere concedes a free kick for a rather harsh foul on Sow, giving Fenerbahce a chance to cross inside the final third. Szczesny comes out quickly to gather and launch a swift counter, but Walcott's bright run down the right is not read by Ramsey on the counter.
27 minKadlec and Sow are quick to combine again down the left flank, but the experienced Czech full-back is eventually flagged for offside in a late call by the linesman. When play resumes Cazorla wins a free kick, with both sides now struggling a touch to keep possession in a congested midfield area as Ramsey scuffs wide from range.
24 minMoussa Sows gets involved for Fener after finding some space inside, with his ball towards Kadlec eventually winning a corner kick for th hosts. From the corner Emre sends a high cross towards Alves, but Koscielny is on hand to clear at the second time of asking.
22 minWIDE! Arsenal get an effort on goal as Giroud heads wide from a difficult angle. The forward met a cross from Rosicky after Volkan had been forced to rush out and stop Walcott meeting Cazorla's diagonal pass inside the full-back, but with the ball low and behind him Giroud twists to send an effort well beyond the far post. Encouraging signs for the Gunners early on, but still no clear-cut opportunities.
20 minWilshere limps to the touchline after treatment from the physio, which is a concern for Wenger given his horrible recent injury record. The England midfielder thankfully returns and looks fine to continue, as Rosicky works hard to build an attack in the final third. Neat work sees Ramsey force Alves to smash away under pressure, with his clearance deflected back into the grateful arms of Volkan.
17 minRamsey and Rosicky bring Arsenal forward and work the ball out wide to Gibbs, who wins a corner kick after a patient spell of possession in the opposition half. Walcott's corner is is kept alive by Mertesacker and turned to Wilshere, who goes down holding his ankle under a strong challenge from Topal as play continues.
14 minKuyt gets the home crowd going with a dangerous cross from the left-hand side, which is just too high for Webo in the penalty area as Koscielny heads away. Arsenal are pressing and force a mistake from Alves, who has looked suspect in possession early on as he smashes out for a throw-in.
12 minRosicky and Gibbs press Topal in possession, eventually conceding a free kick on the halfway line. Fenerbahce have finally started to settle after a shaky start, with Emre getting on the ball in central midfield. The hosts play a very direct style, which is on show as a long pass from Alves finds Kuyt at least three yards offside in the final third.
9 minMore positive play from Arsenal as they drive into the final third with Wilshere, before eventually settling for a corner kick as Walcott's cross towards Giroud is blocked behind. This has been an assured start in possession from the visitors, with Ramsey on hand to win the ball back as he beats Kuyt to a loose pass in midfield.
7 minGiroud shows strength to control a goal kick hammered upfield, with his through ball just evading a swift dart inside from Walcott. When play resumes Mertesacker concedes a clumsy free kick after bundling into the back of Webo, but a poor diagonal cross is cleared by Gibbs as Arsenal look to launch another counter.
5 minSagna and Walcott exchange passes before the full-back crosses towards Giroud in the penalty area, but Volkan is on hand to claim as the striker is blocked off by Alves. Fener then break down the left-hand side through Webo, who sends a wayward cross beyond the penalty area and out for a goal kick.
2 minWe are underway in Istanbul as Arsenal take the kickoff, shooting from left to right. The Gunners are quick to establish possession in midfield as Kuyt fouls Wilshere, with the free-kick taken short in a confident start for the visitors.
7.44pmThe two teams emerge from the tunnel to a typically raucous reception at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, with Arsenal in a slightly off-putting change to their home strip of blue shorts and red socks, due to a kit clash with the hosts. Kickoff is just moments away as the Champions League anthem plays, can Arsenal give their fans something to shout about this evening? We are about to find out.
7.41pmPREDICTION: With both sides due out in a matter of moments there is just time to put my neck on the line and predict a positive response from Arsenal this evening. The Gunners should target the space left by Sow on the right flank, with Walcott able to run at pace beyond Kadlec in the final third. I'll go for Theo to net in a 2-1 win for the Gunners, but I fully expect Fenerbahce to score at home, perhaps from a set piece.
7.38pmThe Gunners need players to stand up and be counted tonight, with the likes of Wilshere and Ramsey required to keep possession while driving the visitors forward on the counter. Fenerbahce are no strangers to huge European occasions, after beating the likes of Lazio on the way to a Europa League semi-final last season.
7.35pmDespite frustration over a lack of recruitment Wenger is adamant that his side from 1 to 11 will deliver this evening, and in his defence there is plenty of experience out there from the likes of Sagna, Mertesacker and Rosicky. Cool heads under pressure will be an absolute necessity this evening, in the intense atmosphere provided by a notoriously fanatical Fenerbahce fanbase.
7.32pmThe under-fire Gunners boss has also insisted that he will add quality to his squad before the transfer window closes in less than two weeks.
He told reporters during a fiery press-conference last night: "There is nothing to explain. First of all, you don't know what we have done, you don't know if we did bid and you have come to a conclusion without knowing everything that has happened.
"It is quite amazing that all of the people don't know and yet they always have opinions about things they don't know. I won't explain to you what happened. It is not down to me to explain to you everything I do. It is impossible.
"If we do a transfer, we will announce it. We always inform you. As for the rest, you have to leave us to do our own things."
7.29pmLet's hear from Wenger as we approach kickoff, with the Frenchman in defiant mood that his side have enough quality to bounce back tonight.
"[Responding] is part of our job,†said Wenger. "Since March we have lost one game and under very special circumstances. So we have that deeply ingrained in us. We know we have quality and we want to show that again at Fenerbahce."
“We’ve analysed Saturday’s game well. It was really special to lose a game like that and I believe you can consider it is accidental when you look at what happened on the pitch."
7.26pmWenger can also point to a positive omen in their last trip to Fenerbahce, a resounding 5-2 win in 2008. A young team swept the Turkish giants aside that night, with Aaron Ramsey among the goalscorers late on.
7.23pmArsenal's beleaguered squad are attempting to uphold a proud recent record in Europe, which Wenger often holds up as a beacon of success for his management. The Gunners have made the Champions League group stages for 15 consecutive seasons, while winning 10 out of 10 in qualifiers against the likes of Udinese, Celtic and Dinamo Zagreb.
7.20pmTonight's qualifier is of course marred in controversy with Arsenal's transfer policy aside. Fenerbache go into tonight's tie awaiting the verdict of an appeal against a ban of match-fixing against the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Turkish giants should get the verdict before next week's second leg at the Emirates, so could be dumped out of Europe before the tie is decided if the two-year suspension given by UEFA is upheld.
7.17pmFENERBAHCE SUBS: Cristian Baroni, Günok, Potuk, Erkin, Emenike, Korkmaz, Gonul
7.15pmARSENAL SUBS: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Monreal, Frimpong, Gnabry, Podolski, Sanogo
7.13pmArsenal's bench makes for interesting reading this evening, with Nacho Monreal a notable inclusion despite missing the entire pre-season due to injury and international commitments. Yaya Sanogo will make his Gunners debut if he comes on, while German youngster Serge Gnabry has been called in to make up the numbers.
7.11pmFenerbahce have resisted the temptation to name summer signing Emmanuel Emenike in attack, with Pierre Webo and Moussa Sow's experience preferred in the final third. Speaking of experience, Dirk Kuyt will prove a tireless worker on the right flank, while Meireles and Emre are both familiar with big European nights in central midfield.
7.08pmNo surprises then from Wenger this evening, primarily due to a lack of strength in depth at his disposal. Cazorla has been preferred to Lukas Podolski in an advanced role on the left flank, despite joining pre-season late due to Confederations Cup duty. A midfield trio of Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky all keep their places, while Laurent Koscielny will be under increased pressure to perform after his sending off cost the Gunners dear against Villa.
7.05pmFENERBAHCE: Demirel, Irtegun, Alves, Yobo, Kadlec, Meireles, Topal, Emre, Kuyt, Webo, Sow
7.03pmARSENAL: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere, Walcott, Rosicky, Cazorla, Giroud
7.00pmBREAKING TEAM NEWS! We have just received tonight's team sheets from the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, which sees Arsenal make just one enforced change. Santi Cazorla has replaced Oxlade-Chamberlain on the left-hand side, with Gibbs and Sagna both fit to start. A full look at both teams will follow in just a few moments.
6.57pmDespite reports earlier this week suggesting Arsenal may have just nine outfield players fit for tonight the Gunners should be largely unchanged. Wenger will come up against some familiar foes in the white-hot atmosphere of Istanbul this evening, with Fenerbahce's side including former Premier League regulars Dirk Kuyt, Joseph Yobo and Raul Meireles.
6.54pmWenger must be relieved in a way that this crucial Champions League qualifier gives his squad an instant chance to bounce back, despite losing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to a long-term knee injury last weekend. The Frenchman also has concerns over Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs who were hurt against Villa, but both are expected to pass fitness tests and keep their places this evening.
6.51pmArsenal could scarcely have started their season in more negative fashion last weekend, humbled 3-1 by Aston Villa in their Premier League opener at the Emirates. That shock loss has magnified the club's lack of recruitment during the close season, with the pressure on Arsene Wenger now nearing something like a breaking point.
6.48pmEvening European football fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole on a vital night for Arsenal, even this early in the season. The Gunners travel to Turkey tonight to face Fenerbahce in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier, with the pressure on a razor-thin squad to maintain their stellar record in Europe's top club competition.
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Arsenal
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