Arsenal Sticks A Strong Foot In The 2013/2014 UEFA Champions League

Arsenal sticks a strong foot in the 2013/2014 UEFA Champions league as they left Turkey with a precious 3-0 lead which has them on course for a 16th successive Champions League campaign.

Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and an Olivier Giroud penalty provided the away goals, all in the second half, that left the Gunners in a strong position to progress from this two-legged  play-off, but Arsene Wenger’s injury problems continued to pile up.
Laurent Koscielny was forced off in the first half with a cut near his eye after being on the receiving end of a reckless high boot from Pierre Webo.

Arsenal physio Colin Lewin described it as a ‘horrible’ cut and one of the most ridiculous things he had seen but Webo escaped with a yellow card.


Wojciech Szczesny left the field at the end with grazes down the side of his face and neck after a brave block at the feet of Moussa Sow while Per Mertesacker was elbowed by Bruno Alves who, like Webo, escaped with a booking.

Even Gibbs, who played despite a head wound he picked up against Aston Villa on Saturday, disturbed the butterfly stitches in his brow during a frenzied goal celebration.


Koscielny was already suspended from Saturday’s derby at Fulham following his red card against Villa but the squad is looking thin after so many fringe players left the club.


Arsenal dominated last night against a disappointing Fenerbahce team, who did not wake up until they were two down.