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Tie all but over as Arsenal cruise to comfortable win against Fenerbahce

The pressure’s off Arsene Wenger. For now.

CRISIS? WHAT CRISIS?

Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud were all on target to secure a convincing 3-0 victory for Arsenal over Fenerbahce tonight.

Gibbs opened the scoring during the first leg of the sides’ UEFA Champions League qualifying play-off in Istanbul at the start of the second half with his first goal in the competition.

Theo Walcott was released inside the area by Ramsey, he rolled a low cross to the back post and Gibbs was on hand to fire into the roof of the net.

YouTube: Liga Fanatico

Ramsey added a second for the visitors just after the hour, the Wales international scoring a fine individual goal from the edge of the penalty area. Giroud tacked on the third from the penalty spot to put Arsenal on the verge of reaching the group stages.

Having dominated the opening exchanges, Arsenal tested goalkeeper Volkan Demirel for the first time after 19 minutes. Cazorla created the first opportunity for Walcott, his through-ball nearly finding the forward but Demirel slid in well to intercept.

The loose ball fell to Tomas Rosicky and he delivered a perfect cross for Giroud but the striker’s header was just wide of goal.

Fenerbahce were struggling to get into the game and failed to test Wojciech Szczesny in the opening half.

Wenger’s early season injury problems continued just after the half hour when Laurent Koscielny was forced off with a head injury.

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Pic: Reddit

The French defender clashed with Pierre Webo and had to be replaced by Carl Jenkinson.

The hosts began the second half at a much higher level but the wind was taken out of their sails six minutes in as Gibbs scored a crucial away goal.

Just after the hour, Arsenal doubled their lead thanks to Ramsey.

He received a pass from Jack Wilshere 35 yards from goal and moved at pace towards the Fenerbahce defence. As he reached the penalty area, Ramsey fired a low shot into the bottom corner, although Demirel should have done better.

YouTube: ReplayGoalsHD

The victory was secured with 14 minutes to play as Kadlec brought down Walcott inside the penalty area.  Giroud made no mistake from the spot, sending Demirel the wrong way to complete a perfect night for Arsenal.

YouTube: FriendlyPLAY1·

Benteke equalises for Villa at Stamford Bridge

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26 Comments
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    Mute Tomás O'Connor
    Favourite Tomás O'Connor
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    Aug 21st 2013, 9:42 PM

    Champions League football 99% secured for another year. Now it’s time for Wenger’s supermarket sweep in the transfer market.

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    Mute Mark Adams
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    Aug 21st 2013, 10:39 PM

    Arsenal should sign Neuer, Dante, Ribery, Mandzukic, Martinez, Robben, Boeteng, Lahm, Muller, Alaba, Schweinsteiger, Shaqiri, Pizarro, Gomez and Tymoshchuk.

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    Mute Warren Collier
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    Aug 21st 2013, 9:39 PM

    Much needed win for them. Wengers job depended on it!

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    Mute Paddy
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    Aug 21st 2013, 9:55 PM

    That’s just it though…his job doesn’t depend on anything. He’ll not be sacked, on talk sport tonight loads of gooners were ringing in saying they hope we lose just to force the issue. I wouldn’t go that far but to have spent zero money on August 21st is a disgrace. Spurs are picking up lots of excellent players, I reckon they’ll get 4th this year for sure. We’ll end up panic buying a few over priced sh1t players. Most frustrating team to support by a long way

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    Mute Les Rock
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    Aug 21st 2013, 10:21 PM

    Gooners need to look at themselves. Theyd be nowwhere without that man. Granted he needs to get a world class keeper and centre half. But they’re top 4 every year. Ps im a utd fan.

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    Mute Mark Adams
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    Aug 21st 2013, 10:28 PM

    Um, Leeds United?

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    Mute Paddy
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    Aug 21st 2013, 10:28 PM

    “Ps I’m a utd fan” Very easy for you to say so…if utd hadn’t won sweet F all in last 9 years and year after year keep selling their best players and not replacing them I’m guessing you wouldn’t be too happy. Wengers been our greatest ever and I’d love him to be again…but something’s up…he has a mental block or something. We’re gonna fall behind unless something is done immediately

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    Mute David Keogh
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    Aug 21st 2013, 11:03 PM

    Paddy, the issue isn’t just Wenger! He’s not the one writing the cheques. He may be answerable for all the signings (on the rare occasions that they sign someone) and selling of players but he’s not the decision maker! Without willing parties with an open cheque book he can’t do anything. It’s not as though he’s going to openly say that he wants to sign people but he was told no! The guys in control of the finances are paying his wages, he’s going to stay on their good side!

    The reality is, top 4 football is enough for Arsenal to comfortably run as a profit making business! The owners are clearly happy doing that and are gambling on spending less money and getting the same results. Until they start finishing lower and making less money they won’t change!

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    Mute jimmy redmond
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 1:05 AM

    Then piss off and support some other team,who needs a negative head like you,Cheerios.

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    Mute jimmy redmond
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 1:06 AM

    Fair play to you.,a football fan

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    Mute Ann-Marie Wallis
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 5:06 AM

    Agree with David, Arsenal’s executive board are very happy for Wenger to spend nothing and turn over a handsome profit, Wenger is going no where. They are just about finished paying off the construction of the Emirates, built it at the right time before property absolutely sky rocketed in Islington and have that asset that makes them ahead of Spurs who are still mulling over their own stadium plans. Arsenal’s board aren’t interested in trophies…they equate success by sheer profit without significant investment on the pitch.

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    Mute Pablo
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    Aug 21st 2013, 9:47 PM

    Suarez for Arsenal?

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    Mute Brendan
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    Aug 21st 2013, 9:41 PM

    It was so easy in the end. Arsenal have no hope of winning the Champions League.

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    Mute Marty Borgnine
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    Aug 21st 2013, 10:40 PM

    Michu would make a decent signing.

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    Mute Kev Dunne
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    Aug 21st 2013, 11:39 PM

    A striker is badly needed. Giroud spent half of tonight watching the ball go past him. Why didn’t they just pay the money for Huiguain? Also need a centre half and defensive midfielder. To be short in those areas at this stage of the season is madness. Midfield was immense tonight tho so why the bid for Cabaye?

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    Mute Tomás O'Connor
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 6:43 AM

    A crap team that plays in the champions league and finishes higher than Liverpool in the league…remember that

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    Mute Niall
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    Aug 21st 2013, 11:50 PM

    Agree Kev. Cabaye should not be the priority at this stage.

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    Mute Niall
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    Aug 21st 2013, 11:42 PM

    Benzema is the latest player to be linked. Reports suggest Arsenal will bid approx 40m. Real Madrid may consider this in order to fund the Bale purchase???

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    Mute Gavin Doyle
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 12:41 AM

    Sure why didn’t he just put forty million straight up he would have a proven goal scorer in higuian at the club nonsense you speak

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    Mute Big Pat
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 8:09 AM

    But that wouldnt make any sense for Real Madrid. Benzema and the young Morata are the clubs only recognised strikers right now. Theyd hardly sell Benzema.

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Aug 21st 2013, 11:55 PM

    Fenerbache were poor, don’t get too excited gooners.. and forget about signing Suarez, it’s not gonna happen

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    Mute Gavin Doyle
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 12:40 AM

    I hope wenger goes home tonight and thinks ah what’s the fuss all about . A Crap team playing an even worse team.

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    Mute Martin Jones
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    Aug 21st 2013, 11:01 PM

    That’s some nice papering over the cracks from Wenger tonight. Now watch him make a balls of things with his cheap panic buys.

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    Mute Tiarnan Guinee
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    Aug 21st 2013, 11:11 PM

    We should sign the Lamela lad before Spurs do.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8HsBInTYiw#t=98

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    Mute Ronan McManus
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 3:46 PM

    @Mark Adams – Tymoschuk doesn’t play for Bayern anymore.

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    Mute Ash
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    Aug 22nd 2013, 9:35 AM

    Come may the Gooners can rewatch that game and pretend it was their champions league final…

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