Topics: UEFA Champions League, Arsenal, Besiktas, Aaron Ramsey
Arsenal gets a goalless draw in the first leg of their Champions League play-off against Besiktas in Turkey.

Arsenal might now be regretting finishing fourth in last season’s Premier League table as they had a tough match against Besiktas in the first leg of the last qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. The London club will need to improve ahead of the second leg if they want to reach the group stages of the major European competition.

During the first half the match was pretty even, with chances created by both teams and with both goalkeepers making pretty decent saves. The first chance came just after the initial whistle when former Chelsea player, Demba Ba, shot from the kickoff spot and Szczesny had to stretch his arms to deflect the ball. After that, Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez had chances to take the lead but Besikta’s keeper denied their efforts. 

The second half was marked by Aaron Ramsey’s red card after getting his second yellow for what the referee juged to be a challenge in the 80th minute. The Welshman midfielder saw his first red card of his career and will have to watch the second leg from the stands. A late effort from substitute Oxlade Chamberlain hit the post after a brilliant save from Zengin. 

The second leg will take place on August 27th in the Emirates stadium. 

Fans expressed their thoughts via Twitter regarding Ramsey’s red card and Wenger’s reaction.