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Champions League | Playoffs
Aug 27, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 

2-0

Ramsey (25', 72')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Live Commentary: Arsenal 2-0 Fenerbahce (5-0) - as it happened

Live coverage of the second leg of Arsenal's Champions League qualifying tie with Fenerbahce at the Emirates Stadium.
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Arsenal secured their place in the group stage of the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Fenerbahce at the Emirates this evening, giving the club a 5-0 win on aggregate.

Aaron Ramsey netted a brace to ensure that the Gunners' 3-0 lead from Istanbul last week never came under threat.

Arsene Wenger's side will learn who they will face in their group on Thursday.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good evening. Arsenal will look to seal their place in the group stages of the Champions League when they get the second leg of their tie with Fenerbahce underway in just under an hour's time.

Neither side has named their starting lineups yet, but Arsene Wenger has already indicated that Jack Wilshere is likely to start against the Turkish side, having come off the bench against Fulham at the weekend.

However, the home side will be without several of their regular first-team members. Thomas Vermaelen will miss out with a back injury, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to be out for several weeks with a knee injury. Mikel Arteta is still recovering from a thigh injury.

Ahead of this evening's game, Thomas Vermaelen told the club's website: "We need everyone to be on top of their game because the tie is not over yet. We’ve put ourselves in a strong position with last week's performance, not everyone expects to go to Fenerbahce, with the support they have and the names on their teamsheet, and win 3-0. Now we have to finish the job."

The Gunners have just announced their lineup, let's take a look at the starting XI...

ARSENAL STARTING XI: Szczesny, Monreal, Mertesacker, Sagna, Jenkinson, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski, Giroud

ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Fabianski, Koscielny, Gibbs, Frimpong, Rosicky, Ryo, Sanogo

FENERBAHCE STARTING XI: Demirel, Korkmaz, Alves, Gonul, Meireles, Cristian, Sahin, Erkin, Sow, Kuyt, Emenike

FENERBAHCE SUBSTITUTES: Gunok, Kaldirim, Irtegun, Potuk, Topuz, Ucan, Webo

As expected, Wilshere comes into the side for Arsenal. Monreal also starts, while Koscielny and Gibbs drop to the bench, having started in Istanbul last week.

Meanwhile, the visitors have made six changes to the starting XI for this evening's game. Among the changes, Emmnauel Eminike comes into the attack in place of Pierre Webo, who is among the substitutes for Fenerbahce.

Fenerbahce manager Ersun Yanal believes that, despite Arsenal's three-goal lead, his team can cause an upset this evening. He told reporters: "It was a difficult score and they have a squad they have been playing for a long time, but nothing is a surprise for Fenerbahce. A difficult game is ahead of us. The first game we lost, [but] that's not the real Fenerbahce. We're a great team, a great club, with great fans, some of the greatest fans in the world. With their energy and strength we will always show a great performance on the pitch. Fenerbahce can play against any team in the world. With the result we wish to get we want to take our performance to an even greater level."

Even if Fenerbahce do manage to overturn the first-leg score to win the tie, the Turkish side could find themselves kicked out of the tournament tomorrow. The club was handed a two-year ban from European competition over match-fixing allegations earlier this year, but were allowed to play this tie while an appeal took place. The findings of the appeal are due tomorrow.

At his pre-match press conference, Arsene Wenger said: "It's a very, very important tie for us, because we want to be in the group stage the next day. I have big experience in the Champions League, I have over 150 games, and I know if you want to knock somebody out you need attitude and commitment or you don't do it. That is what is at stake for us. That demands attitude and commitment and desire to play the game with full power, like we love to do it."

The draw for the group stage will place later this week. If Arsenal maintain their lead, they will join Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United in the draw.

According to the Champions League's official Twitter account, Arsenal have lost just two home UCL games by more than three goal in the last 50 years. The first was against Spartak Moscow during the 1982-83 season, while the more recent was against Inter Milan in 2003-04.

Fenerbahce have not made the groups stage since the 2008-09 season. Last season, they lost in the qualifiers to Spartak Moscow, but they did go on to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League. Their best performance in the competition came in 2007-08, when they made the quarter-finals, where they lost to Chelsea.

As kickoff approaches, let's take a quick look at the weather conditions for this evening's game. It's been bright sunshine around the Emirates today, and the clear conditions are set to continue, with no rain forecast tonight.

As well as this match, there's also plenty of Capital One Cup action this evening. You can follow live scores from all of tonight's games with Sports Mole.

As the action is due to get underway in the next few minutes, it's time for a prediction. While Arsenal should easily dominate, Wenger's focus may switch to Sunday's North London derby as the game goes on, so some of the more experienced players could be in line for an early departure. I can see Arsenal adding another two goals to last week's total this evening.

The players have just come out of the tunnel ready for tonight's game. There are quite a few banners and placards among the Arsenal fans calling for Wenger to dust off his chequebook before the transfer window closes next week.

Fenerbahce kick off the first half.

It's a bright start by the visitors as they force a corner inside the opening minute. Mertesacker puts the ball behind before Emenike can attempt a header, while the second delivery into the box is quickly cleared.

Podolski is fouled in the centre circle, giving the hosts a free kick. Wilshere quickly takes it, finding Ramsey, who pushes forward before looking for Giroud, but Fenerbahce manage to halt to hosts' progress, forcing them back into midfield.

Emenike looks to set himself up for another chance, breaking free on the edge of the box, but he's flagged offside before he can take a shot. The Turkish side have made a very positive start here, they're clearly after an early goal to give themselves some hope of overturning the 3-0 first-leg deficit.

Korkmaz fires the ball forward for Emenike, who controls it well before looking for Sow out wide, but the striker mis-judges his teammate's run, allowing Arsenal to regain possession. However, Christian wins it back in midfield, allowing Sow to apply pressure inside the home side's half, but Mertesacker is fouled, bringing Szczesny out to take the free kick.

Sow tries to deliver the ball into the Arsenal penalty area looking for Emenike, but Mertesacker makes the block. It looks like the German defender is going to be kept busy by the Fenerbahce striker.

CHANCE! Raul Meireles forces a finger-tip save from Szczesny as Sow's initial strike is blocked by Sagna, before falling to the Portuguese midfielder who tries to smash the ball in.

CHANCE! Jenkinson shows some brilliant pace down the wing to take the ball deep into the Fenerbahce half, but he doesn't have room to get the cross in. He wins a throw in, and manages to find Theo Walcott, but the England international has to take the shot with his less-favoured left foot, giving Demirel an easy save in the Turkish side's goal. That's the first time he's been tested this evening.

Fenerbahce are quickly on the counter attack, with Gonul attempting to cross the ball in with Emenike and Sow waiting in the box, but Szczesny comes off his line to take the catch.

CHANCE! Cazorla wins the ball back for Arsenal in midfield and turns on the pace before finding Wilshere, who looks to set up Giroud, but the Frenchman drills his shot just wide.

Ramsey, Jenkinson and Wilshere are working well together as Arsenal patiently build in midfield. Eventually, Podolski tries to find a gap through the Fenerbahce defence, but is fouled when Emenike grabs his arm to hold him back, giving the Gunners a free kick in a dangerous position. Walcott takes the set piece, but the wall does it's job on the edge of the penalty area.

CHANCE! The visitors attempt to catch Arsenal out with a quick counter attack, but the Gunners quickly get themselves back into position. Selcuk Sahin attempts a 35 yard rocket, with no teammates ahead of him, and it doesn't miss by much.

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Fenerbahce (Ramsey)

Volkan Demirel manages to clear a Jenkinson cross, but Podolski picks it up, calmly sliding it through the Fenerbahce defence to find Ramsey, who finds a powerful, clinical finish to extend Arsenal's aggregate lead.

Fenerbahce had shown plenty of promise in the opening 25 minutes of this game, but 4-0 seems an impossible mission for the Turkish side. They haven't let their heads drop though, as they have a corner. Cristian curls it in towards Alves, but the defender's header is well high of the crossbar.

BOOKING! Egeman Korkmaz is the first player to pick up a yellow card, having carelessly tackled Theo Walcott around 35 yards out. Cazorla takes the resulting free kick, carefully lofting it into the box, but Alves makes the clearance for the visitors.

Ramsey has a chance to set up Arsenal's second as he slides to ball into the box for Giroud, but the Frenchman is being too tightly marked and knocks the ball behind for a goal kick.

BOOKING! After some strong build up play from Fenerbahce, Emenike tries to get the ball into the box for the visitors, but he's brought down on the edge of the box by Mertesacker.

CHANCE! Arsenal burst into the box, catching the visiting defenders napping. Cazorla takes a shot but it's deflected behind for a corner. Demirel is caught out of position as he tries to punch the ball away, but Alves gets back to clear the ball off this line.

CHANCES! Szczesny makes two superb stops to keep Arsenal ahead. Sow sees his initial shot tipped onto the post, before a follow up effort from Eminike is stopped at point-blank range by the Polish keeper. However, the offside flag goes up late, so it wouldn't have counted anyway.

CHANCE! Arsenal look to end Fenerbahce's strong spell with Wilshere putting the ball into the box for Walcott, but the flag goes up.

Walcott manages to keep himself onside as he breaks again moments later, but Demirel comes out to gather the ball before the England international takes his shot. Fenerbahce have had their chances this half, but everytime Arsenal get down the other end they're looking dangerous.

PENALTY APPEAL! Arsenal appeal, somewhat half-heartedly, for a spot kick as Podolski takes a tumble inside the box, but they don't seem convinced, and neither was the referee.

HALF TIME: Arsenal 1-0 Fenerbahce

Arsenal have increased their chances of reaching the group stage in the opening 45 minutes of this match, Aaron Ramsey adding to their 3-0 lead from the first leg. Fenerbahce have a mountain to climb.

Let's take a look at some of the statistics from the first half. Arsenal had 58% of the possession. Fenerbahce had six shots to Arsenal's five, but just two of them tested Szczesny, while the Gunners had three efforts on target.

The visitors have, in all honesty, looked stretched at the back, struggling with the pace of Walcott and Giroud in particular. Sow and Emenike have showed promise up front, but Dirk Kuyt has been pretty anonymous so far.

One spectator at tonight's game has resulted in some transfer speculation this evening. Juan Mata's dad, who is also the Chelsea midfielder's agent, is reportedly watching this game from the director's box. He may just be watching as a fan, but his son has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, having seen limited action so far this season, and Arsenal haven't exactly been busy during this transfer window.

The players are back out ready for the second half.

Arsenal get the second half underway.

Podolski breaks straight from the kickoff and wins a corner, but appears to pull up with a hamstring injury. He remains off the pitch receiving treatment while Cazorla delivers the corner, which is cleared by Alves.

SUB! Podolski has been forced off in a stretcher with a leg injury, so Arsenal bring Kieran Gibbs on in his place. Meanwhile, Ramsey gets the ball from a Walcott cross, but tries to flick it behind him for Giroud, and gets the first touch wrong.

Cristian wins the ball in midfield, passing to Emenike, who tries to cross in to Kuyt, but Monreal is back to block the delivery. Cristian heads it back in, and Arsenal put the ball behind for a corner, which Monreal clears again.

Korkmaz and Emenike look for an attempt at the Arsenal goal, but the defender is judged to be marginally offside as Meireles delivers the ball in.

BOOKING! Emmanuel Emenike is booked for diving, as Szczesny came to the edge of the box to clear a delivery for the Fenerbahce striker. Replays show that the Arsenal keeper didn't touch Emenike until after he had gone down.

Bruno Alves has blood gushing from his head after tangling in the air with Giroud. The defender goes off the pitch for some stitches and probably a fresh shirt.

SUB! Giroud makes way for Yaya Sanogo. The substitution makes this the first game of the season that the Frenchman has not scored in. Meanwhile, Alves is back on the pitch.

Arsenal are applying pressure again as they look to make it 5-0 on aggregate. Cazorla plays the ball into the box, but his attempted cross is easily blocked and cleared. Monreal tries to take it back in for the Gunners, but it's cleared again.

CHANCE! Cazorla finds his way into the box again, and looks for the bottom corner, but Demirel just manages to tip the ball wide. Walcott delivers the ball back in from the corner, with Gibbs going for goal with a header, but his effort goes high.

SUBS! Dirk Kuyt is replaced by Pierre Webo while Baroni Christian makes way for Alper Potuk

CHANCE! Raul Meireles gives away a free kick on the edge of the box, after catching the ball with his hand, although he protests his innocence fiercly with the referee. Walcott attempts to whip the ball in directly from the free kick, but his shot is kept out by the crossbar.

BOOKING! Aaron Ramsey picks up Arsenal's second booking of the night. He's not been involved in any challenges so it must have been for something he's said. He looks confused by the decision.

GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Fenerbahce (Ramsey)

Wilshere plays the ball in to Gibbs on the edge of the box before pulling it back to Ramsey, who hits it first time as he races into the box. It's a brilliant finish by the Wales international.

SUB! Theo Walcott goes off early, with Ryo Miyaichi coming on for the final 15 minutes or so.

Cazorla steals the ball away on the edge of the Arsenal area, tearing down the pitch before picking out Sanogo just outside the box. The Frenchman tries to lob the ball in, but gets a poor contact and slices it into the crowd.

CHANCE! Fenerbahce win a free kick around 25 yards out. Alves goes for goal himself from the free kick, but Szczesny is able to get down low to make the save. There had been some doubts over the Arsenal keeper, but he's performed well tonight.

BOOKING! Raul Meireles is the latest Fenerbahce player to go in the referee's book for a poor challenge.

The crowd goes momentarily quiet as Wilshere goes down clutching his ankle after Selcuk Sahin leaves his boot in a little late. The midfielder is quickly back on his feet, but still seems to be feeling the contact.

Wilshere is back on the ground, holding his ankle again and looking over to the bench. The physio comes onto the pitch to see what the problem is. These are worrying scenes for Arsenal, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain already out injured.

SUB! Fenerbahce make their final chance, bringin on Mehmet Topuz in place of Sow. Meanwhile, Wilshere has managed to get back to his feet, and appears to be carrying on for now.

Fenerbahce give away a free kick just outside the area, but Cazorla attempt to blast the ball into the box is blocked by the wall.

BOOKING! Wilshere is clipped by Gokhan Gonul. The Arsenal man is livid, clearly believing that he's being targetted, as he's already carrying a bit of a knock. The referee has to step in to cool things down, before booking Gonul for the challenge.

CHANCE! Jenkinson breaks down the right-hand side, before crossing it in for Wilshere. However, the midfielder gets a poor first touch as he tries to set himself up on his preferred right foot, giving Demirel time to get ready, and make a comfortable save in the end. There will be three minutes of stoppage time.

Ramsey has gone off, although he doesn't appear to be injured. It means Arsenal will finish the game with 10 men, as they've already made all their changes.

Jenkinson seems really keen to get himself a goal in the final minutes of the encounter, but the defender is struggling with his finishing touch, sending the ball well high and wide.

FULL TIME: Arsenal 2-0 Fenerbahce

ARSENAL PROGRESS TO THE GROUP STAGE OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, BEATING FENERBAHCE 5-0 ON AGGREGATE!

An Aaron Ramsey brace ensures that the Gunners will be in the draw for the group stage of the champions league on Thursday. Fenerbahce had showed promise early on, but struggled to defend against a strong Arsenal side.

That's all from the Emirates Stadium this evening, but stick around for reaction to this match and join us again on Thursday to find out who Arsenal will play in the group stage of this season's Champions League. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.

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Arsenal's players celebrate their goal against Fenerbahce during their UEFA Champions League Play Off first leg match at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul on August 21, 2013
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