Besiktas vs Arsenal LIVE stream - Aug. 19, 2014 Champions League Playoffs

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Arsene Wenger's perfect record in Champions League qualification matches speaks for itself. Watch as the Gunners take on Besiktas in what should be an exciting fixture.

When we take a look at the record books, qualifying for the Champions League appears to be something Arsene Wenger does not see as too much of a challenge. Although his sides may only finish fourth and are forced into a preliminary round, the Gunners have won all 12 times.

Today, they will enter yet another preliminary round, and just like last season, they have travelled to Turkey.

This time around, Besiktas will stand in their way, but a motivated Arsenal squad knows the importance of qualifying for the Champions League.

“It’s a big test because we had a short preparation and we know that in one week we have to produce three big games - Besiktas, away and home, then Everton in between,” Arsene Wenger said on the club’s official website.

After picking up their first victory in the Premier League on Saturday against Crystal Palace, the Gunners should be full of confidence. Their Community Shield triumph will give that confidence some added cushion, but Besiktas will not be an easy side to break down. The atmosphere in the stadium will also not favor the English side.

"It’s nice to play in these kind of atmospheres, even though it’s always better playing at home than away,” Santi Cazorla told Arsenal Player.

“He is a great footballer,” Cazorla said when asked about going up against former Chelsea striker Demba Ba.

“He proved that here in the Premier League, playing for Newcastle and Chelsea. He is a great signing for Besiktas.”

Slaven Bilic’s new signing will be looking to build off his hat-trick against Feyenoord in the previous elimination round. A 5-2 aggregate saw the Turkish side go through, and they will be relishing an opportunity to pull off an upset against the North London side.

Besiktas have yet to start their domestic league, so they have been limited to pre-season fixtures and their two preliminary Champions League matches. That may be something Arsene Wenger will want to exploit, seeing as they may lack some match fitness.

Arsenal’s fitness and health was also a concern going into today’s match.

Laurent Koscielny looked set to be forced out of the squad, but a late fitness test has allowed him to take part in the action. With that decision, Wenger was able to keep Mertesacker, Ozil and Podolski in London, so that they can prepare to return on Saturday at Goodison Park.

The only absence in regards to Saturday’s match will be Kieran Gibbs, who picked up a hamstring injury, which could sideline him for a few weeks.

55,000 fans are expected today at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, which is a temporary location for the Turkish side, with their own stadium under construction. This is the location where Liverpool pulled off their historic comeback against AC Milan in the Champions League Final, and Arsene Wenger will be hoping that the fortune will fall to the English side once again.