Arsenal began their quest to be in the group stage of the UEFA Champions league with a 0-0 draw in Turkey. The gunners finished the game with 10men with Aaron Ramsey getting two yellow cards with 10 minutes to play.

Match report, Wengers comment, ratings.

Canons from Turkey.
1. Arsenal cannot rely on Giroud and Sanogo.
Yaya Sanogo was all over the place against Crystal Palace with clumsy touches, rough edges and no shot on goal. In came Giroud, back to the starting line up only to equate himself with his country statistically and clumsy-cally. Olivier Giroud completed less than 60% of his passes having no shot at goal.

“@EPLStatman: Olivier Giroud failed to have a single shot on target against Besiktas and only completed 52% of his 29 passes #AFC #Arsenal”
“@enigma106: looool RT @eromzy: Lmaooooooooooo “@f_osa: Abi arsenal de owe Giroud money? What on earth is this nonsense?!””

Can Wenger rely on these frenchmen to win the Premier league? I strongly doubt that. Their potency is woeful, and their clumsiness is amongst the best in the League. Just when you think Giroud will get better, he gives gooners worldwide a plate of bile to digest. Giroud has to be awake. A new, sharper striker may help. What of Campbell? Wenger….

2. Clean Sheet, Ba Sheet.
Two names sounded familiar in the Besiktas team: Demba Ba and Oguzhan. The later, an Arsenal youth FA cup winner and the former, prevented from joining Arsenal. Ba tested Szczesny twice in the game but the Pole kept his sheets.

This is Arsenal’s first clean sheet of the season, although it came in the 2nd game. Clean sheets promotes the confidence of the goalie especially after he has made some fantastic saves. Ba may have not scored but he was a threat unlike his counterpart in red and white.

3. One Game, One Injury.
Captain Mikel Arteta wobbled off the game due to injury and was replaced by Flamini. Few days ago, Gibbs had to give way for Monreal. We are yet to know the extent of Arteta’s injury but these injuries call for some concerns.

Has the injury gods visited Arsenal again? Well, we have a new physio. I hope he fixes this. Even Koscielny looks like he is carrying a knock. Arsenal will benefit from a full squad. Hope we don’t another player in a 3rd game of the season against Everton.

4. Red Aaron, Yellow Elijah
Two cheap yellow cards and Arsenal’s balon d’or got his matching others. The first red of the season. A shirt tug and an easy route made difficult will deprive the Emirates faithfuls the opportunity to watch Ramsey run the show in the return leg. Hopefully Ozil is back and fit by next week.

As for Elijah, he rains brimstone everytime. Elijah Flamini is always sure of drinking a yellow label tea in the name of defensive duties. The hatchet man, returning from industrial attachment will need to be more careful else he fugacity and over the top agility will cost Arsenal dearly. Afterall, he doesn’t need to cut his shirts again.

5. The Return leg will be easier.
Yes, the gunners were not at their best, misplacing passes, mistiming runs, unlucky shots but the return looks certain for a goal harvest. Chambers and Koscielny were solid. So ware the full backs.

At the luxury of the Emirates, hopefully Sanchez will get his 1st goal and Ozil will feature. Tonight’s game was poor and looked like Arsenal’s first preseason game.

A draw is better than a lose. For now, let’s focus on Goodison Park.

Enjoy

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