UEFA Champions League Play-Off Round: Arsenal 2-0 Fenerbahce (5-0 agg)

Aaron Ramsey scored both of Arsenal’s goals as they comfortably booked their place in the group stages of the Champions League for the 16th successive season with a 2-0 win over Fenerbahce on Tuesday night.

With Fenerbahce 3-0 down from the first leg, the Turkish side were all but officially out before kick-off. To their credit, they gave it a go. Early on in the game, a Bacary Sagna clearance hit former Liverpool and Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles. The deflection very nearly crept in and Wojciech Szczesny had to be aware to bat the ball away from goal.

It had been a nervy start for Arsenal. The pace of Emmanuel Emineke was causing the defence a few worries and Szczesny flapped at a couple of corners.

Arsenal hadn’t offered a lot in attack, with Olivier Giroud curling an effort wide from range being the best chance up until that point.

Arsenal effectively put the tie beyond any doubt in the 25th minute. Lukas Podolski tried to play Theo Walcott in but Caner Erkin’s sliding clearance went straight into the path of Aaron Ramsey, who put the Gunners in front on the night.

After the goal Giroud missed what can only be described as a sitter, as Arsenal began to take control.

Fenerbahce didn’t give up trying though. Bruno Alves curled a free-kick wide, Emineke forced a good save out of Szczesny and the visitors would test Szczesny again before the break, as well as hit the crossbar too.

ITV were saying at the break how poor Fenerbahce were. In the first leg, nobody could deny this. They were shocking. But I felt they played better in this game. They had nothing to lose and certainly in the first half, they gave it a good go.

Lukas Podolski was stretchered off just after the restart with what appears to be a hamstring injury. Arsene Wenger confirmed after the game that Podolski will be out for at least 3 weeks. That’s a blow with the North London Derby coming up at the weekend.

Wenger introduced his only summer signing to date on the hour mark when Yaya Sanogo replaced Olivier Giroud.

Arsenal looked to add to their lead as the impressive Santi Cazorla was denied by a stunning save from Volkan Demirel. Theo Walcott then smashed a free-kick against the crossbar as Arsenal looked more and more likely to increase their lead.

The Gunners did find a second shortly after as Kieran Gibbs’ cross was turned in by Aaron Ramsey on the volley. His goal was extremely well taken and shows the amount of confidence he has right now. If he continues this kind of form, Ramsey could well be our best player this season. The Welshman gives Fenerbahce nightmares, he has scored 4 goals in 4 games against them.

Aaron Ramsey celebrates his goal with Yaya Sanogo. Picture: BBC.

In injury time, Carl Jenkinson was denied his first goal in an Arsenal shirt when Volkan pulled off another fine save.

In general, that was a fairly comfortable night for the Gunners. Arsenal’s name will once again be in the draw for the Champions League group stages. The draw takes place on Thursday and once it has been made, the details of who Arsenal will face will be up on this website.

Arsenal’s concern is now the North London Derby on Sunday. Lukas Podolski is definitely out. Jack Wilshere was getting kicked all over the place towards the end of the game last night, but Wenger says he should be fit for the Tottenham game. Aaron Ramsey went off in injury time, despite the fact that Arsenal had used all their subs prior to this. He is a doubt with a groin problem, Wenger says that they will assess whether he can play on Sunday or not.