MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 15:04:46| >> :60:1379:1379:
[monks data]
Besiktas
Champions League | Playoff Round
Aug 19, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

0-0

FT

Team News: Olivier Giroud returns to Arsenal starting lineup

Olivier Giroud returns to the Arsenal starting lineup as one of two changes as the Gunners take on Besiktas in a Champions League qualifier.

Olivier Giroud has been named in Arsenal's starting lineup for tonight's Champions League playoff clash with Besiktas in Istanbul.

The French striker was left out of the side to face Crystal Palace in the Gunners' opening match of the new Premier League season on Saturday but, with Yaya Sanogo not travelling with the squad, Arsene Wenger has brought Giroud back into the fold.

It is one of two changes for the English side, with Nacho Monreal also coming in to replace Kieran Gibbs at left-back.

Laurent Koscielny has passed a late fitness test to be included, while big-money summer signing Alexis Sanchez is also involved from the start.

Besiktas, meanwhile, start with Demba Ba up front after the former Chelsea man scored a hat-trick in their win over Feyenoord in the last round.

Slaven Bilic has also made two changes to his side from that victory, bringing in Ismail Koybasi and Oguzhan Ozyakup in place of Atiba Hutchinson and Kerim Frei.

Besiktas: Zengin; Koybasi, Franco, Gulum, Motta, Ozyakup, Uysal, Kavlak, Sahan, Pektemek, Ba
Subs: Gonen, Kurtulus, Sivok, Frei, Tosun, Boral, Tore

Besiktas' team players pose prior to the UEFA Champions League play-off football match Besiktas vs Arsenal at Ataturk Olympic Stadium on August 19, 2014© Getty Images

Arsenal: Szczesny; Debuchy, Chambers, Koscielny, Monreal; Arteta, Wilshere; Ramsey, Alexis, Cazorla; Giroud
Subs: Martinez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Bellerin, Miquel, Campbell, Flamini, Rosicky

You can follow Sports Mole's live coverage of tonight's Champions League qualifier here.

ID:172007: cacheID:172007:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4302:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal celebrates his goal with team mate Mikel Arteta during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on August 16, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: Besiktas vs. Arsenal
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool660018
2Barcelona650115
3B. Leverkusen641113
4Inter Milan641113
5Brest641113
6Arsenal641113
7Aston Villa641113
8Lille641113
9Bayern640212
10Dortmund640212
11Atletico640212
12AC Milan640212
13Atalanta632111
14Juventus632111
15Benfica631210
16Feyenoord631210
17Brugge631210
18Monaco631210
19Sporting Lisbon631210
20Real Madrid63039
21Celtic62319
22Man City62228
23PSV62228
24Dinamo Zagreb62228
25PSG62137
26Stuttgart62137
27Shakhtar61144
28Sparta Prague61144
29Sturm Graz61053
30Girona61053
31Red Star61053
32Salzburg61053
33Bologna60242
34RB Leipzig60060
35Slovan Bratislava60060
36Young Boys60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!