Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is confident his north London club can secure their progression into the UEFA Champions League when they host Turkish side Besiktas at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
The Gunners walked away from the first leg encounter in Istanbul with a goalless draw, heading into the second leg encounter, a home fixture for the English Premier League side, needing only the slimmest of wins to ensure passage to the group stage.
On paper, this should be an easy encounter for Arsenal. The FA Cup champions have won 12 out of their 13 Champions League play-off games. However, recent occurrences have Arsenal fans worried.
The Gunners have lost 27-year-old striker Olivier Giroud to injury, with reports suggesting the Frenchman will not return to the field until early next year. Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta will also miss the game after picking up an ankle injury during the clash at Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadı.
And despite being without influential goalscoring midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who was on the receiving end of a red card in the previous leg, the first for the Welshman in his professional career, Le Prof remains positive over his side's chances of making the Champions League group stage for the 17th consecutive year.
Arsenal will be without Olivier Giroud, who is rumored to be sidelined for four months
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Arteta also picked up an injury, receiving a two week lay off after hurting his ankle in the Istanbul encounter
Influential Welshman Aaron Ramsey is suspended for the home clash after being sent off in the 0-0 draw last Tuesday
"For us, it's very important," Wenger stressed. "We want to play at the top level, at international level, so it's a very important game. More on the sporting side than the financial side.
"Nothing is unthinkable. It has happened to 99 per cent of all the big clubs in Europe (missing out on the group stage) but we want to be in there."
"Experience plays a big part. We have big experience of playing in the Champions League and in high pressured games. We can use that. But what's more important is putting in a good, strong performance.
Wenger confident Arsenal can make their 17th consecutive UEFA Champions League tournament
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"I'm confident this group is mentally prepared and ready for the fight. Besiktas played very well against us, and we want to show them we can play very well at home."
Even though Arsenal's summer signing Alexis Sanchez failed to shine in attack in Saturday's Goodison Park clash with Everton, Wenger hinted the Chilean could be handed a lone striker berth for the game against Besiktas, saying: "You do not convict a player on one half. It was not all bad what he (Alexis) did. There was some quality in what he did."
With Olivier Giroud out with injury, should Alexis Sanchez be played down the middle for the game vs Besiktas?
