Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger 'relieved' to reach group stage

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is "relieved" his side reached the group stage of the Champions League following their 1-0 win over Besiktas.

Alexis Sanchez scored the only goal of the qualifier's second leg, with last week's first leg in Turkey finishing goalless.

"Not qualifying is unthinkable until it happens and then everyone thinks 'why did it happen'," Wenger told Sky Sports News. "It is a weight off our shoulders now because we can focus on the Premier League, wait for the draw.

"We played against a good team and had to show a good fighting spirit. We feel we have done the job and we have a clear conscience."

Arsenal have now reached the group stage of the Champions League for 17 successive seasons.