Arsenal survive Besiktas storm as Wenger rages over Ramsey

Gunners favourites to make Champions League, despite outrageous Demba Ba effort

Aaron Ramsey rides a challenge at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul
(Image credit: BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images)

Besiktas 0 Arsenal 0. The Gunners weathered a Turkish storm to establish themselves as favourites to qualify for the first round of the Champions League. A goalless draw in Istanbul against Besiktas means the English team will be confident of proceeding when they host the Turks in the second leg at the Emirates next Wednesday.

But Arsenal will have to beat Besiktas without Aaron Ramsey, who was sent off 11 minutes from time for a second bookable offence. It was the Welshman's first dismissal in club football and both offences for which he received a yellow card were questionable, certainly in the view of Arsene Wenger, who could barely contain his fury after a frustrating night.

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