Arsenal cruised to a comfortable victory against Fenerbahçe in the second leg of their Champions League Qualifier.
Any doubt that Arsenal might be nervous on the night was quickly dispelled by Aaron Ramsey who continued his fine form by getting on the score sheet in the 24th minute. Fenerbahçe must be sick of the sight of Ramsey as he scored his first ever goal for Arsenal in the 5-2 victory back in 2008 and he also scored in the first leg last week.
Cazorla nearly doubled the lead in the 36th minute with some typical wizardry and was unlucky to see his effort deflect wide. Wojciech Szczesny made a brilliant double save towards the end of the first half from Emineke to ensure Arsenal kept a clean sheet going in at half time.
Lukas Podolski tweaked a hamstring right at the beginning of the second half and with the big game against Spurs on Sunday he is now a big doubt for that. Yaya Sanogo was given his first real run out after Giroud was substituted on the hour. Walcott hit the bar with a brilliant free-kick in the 67th minute with Volkan well beaten. Ramsey continued nemesis reputation by grabbing his and Arsenal’s second of the night by nonchalantly slotting home Gibbs square pass across the six yard box in the 72nd minute. Jenkinson almost scored his first goal for Arsenal in the 90th minute only to be denied at point blank range by a brilliant reaction Volkan save. The night ended on a sour note for Arsenal as Aaron Ramsey left the field before the final whistle holding his groin and Arsene Wenger will be praying that his star performer will be fit for their next match.
This will be the 16th consecutive year that Arsenal has made the Champion’s League group stages.
In truth this was hardly a testing game for Arsenal and perfect preparation for their North London derby coming up on Sunday.
Player Ratings out of 10:
Arsenal
* 01 Szczesny - 7/10
* 03 Sagna - 8/10
* 04 M’sacker - 7/10
* 17 Monreal - 6/10
* 25 Jenkinson - 7/10
* 10 Wilshere - 7/10
* 14 Walcott - 7/10
* 16 Ramsey - 9/10
* 19 Cazorla - 8/10
* 09 Podolski - 7/10
* 12 Giroud - 6/10
* Sanogo - 5/10
* Gibbs - 7/10
* Miyachi - 6/10
How would you rate the Arsenal performance?
Source: DSG
