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Missing out on Champions League football will be a disaster for Arsenal, so Wenger and his boys will try to make sure that does not happen after only managing a 0-0 draw in Istanbul in the first leg of the playoffs.
There was real excitement surrounding Arsenal after the transfers of Sanchez, Debuchy and Chambers, combined with the 3-0 drubbing of City in the Community Shield. However, the Gunners took a step back in their last 3 games and did not impress against Palace (2-1), Besiktas (0-0) and most recently Everton (2-2). Against Palace and Everton, Arsenal scored the crucial winner / equalizer in injury time, while the game in Turkey was surprisingly evenly matched. It seems the hosts need some more time to get things going, but nevertheless they are a class side and have shown glimpses of brilliance in this start of the season.
After finishing 3rd last season, Besiktas still does not look able to challenge Galatasaray and Fenerbahce for the title. Besiktas doesn’t really have top class quality in the squad and the first leg against Arsenal was dubbed by media as one of the best they played in recent years, so there is a question mark if they can repeat the performance. Even so, the visitors are a team that deserves respect and can be very dangerous up front with Demba Ba if given opportunities. They dispatched Feyenoord with ease in the previous round.
Team news & lineups
Arsenal again with a lot of injuries, but aside from the old absentees they will also miss Arteta, Ramsey and Giroud for today. Hutchinson is doubtful for Besiktas.
Arsenal: Szczesny – Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal – Flamini, Wilshere – Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Cazorla – Sanchez
Besiktas: Zengin- Koybasi, Franco, Gulum, Motta – Ozyakup, Uysal, Kavlak, Sahan, Pektemek – Ba
Arsenal must be really careful not to concede here and I`m sure that was the focus in training this week. Especially with Ramsey and Giroud out, Wenger knows keeping a clean sheet is key, as the Gunners can’t be certain of scoring 2 or 3 goals today. Besiktas will defend and try to hit on the breaks but I think a cautious approach by Arsenal at the back will deny them too many chances. My tip in these circumstances is Arsenal to win to nil, the odds are way better than a 1 goal handicap and comparable to the 1,5 handicap, but the ‘win to nil’ bet seems safer, as we really can’t exclude a 1-0 result here. Prediction: Arsenal – Besiktas 2-0.
Pick: Arsenal to win to nil
Odds: 2.20 @ Bet365
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 9.6
Event date: 27 August
