Preview: Hostile environment awaits an under pressure Arsenal
Click on the following link to know where to watch the second leg of this UEFA Champions League play off tie: Arsenal vs Fenerbahce - live at 14:45 ET / 19:45 BST on Tuesday, August 27, 2013.
It has been an up and down pre-season for Arsenal fans, but going into their first match of the campaign, it would have been hard to predict what actually happened. A shocking 1-3 defeat at home against Aston Villa made things even worst, although most fans would have felt relieved after the Gunners defeated Manchester City in Helsinki.
Many believed that victory showed an Arsenal squad capable of absorbing pressure and hitting teams on the counter. Unfortunately, against Aston Villa, the North London side struggled mightely, and saw the pressure build.
A visit to Turkey to take on Fenerbahce will not be any easier for Arsene Wenger's injury struck squad. The hostile environment will be just one of the obstacles the Gunners will have to overcome, but just as they have shown before, Wenger's side normally bounces back well.
The absence of Oxlade-Chamberlain will be a big blow given many believed this would be his stand out year. But on a positive note, Wenger can be greatful that Nacho Monreal has traveled with the squad for this match, while Gibbs and Sagna recovered and are available after having to be subbed off on Saturday.
Needing a positive result is a must for Arsenal, but apart from that, they will need to put on a much better performance than they did against Villa.
"To be part of the top level - that is the most important thing for us," Arsene Wenger told reporters.
"All the rest are consequences of it. When you are a football player, you want to play at the top level and that's what the Champions League is."
With an opportunity to reach the Group Stage for a 16th consecutive season, Arsene Wenger will know that their is a big financial boost involved in this playoff.
Fenerbahce would also love to get their hands on the money if they are to defeat Arsenal over both legs, but even that may not be good enough for the Turkish side.
They are currently appealing a suspension that had seen them disqualified from European competitions for two years due to match fixing. With their appeal, they are able to take part in the playoff, while the verdict will be announced the day after the second leg at the Emirates.
So with that said, these two matches could end up being pointless if the suspension is confirmed, and they are to miss out on two seasons of European football. But their players will not want to be thinking about that, and will know that after their defeat on Saturday, Arsenal could be very vulnerable.
The Turkish side proved last season that they are a solid squad, having been eliminated in the semi-final of the Europa League by Portuguese side Benfica. In both matches Fenerbahce caused the Lisbon side all sorts of problems, and on Wednesday in their stadium, things could get very difficult for Arsenal.
Comments from midfielder Raul Meireles will also add fuel to the fire for Wednesday. The Portuguese midfielder questioned Luis Suarez's desire to leave Anfield for the Emirates, stating that it would be a bad decision considering Arsenal is not going to win any titles.
If anything, those words should give the Arsenal players some extra motiviation. But overall, Arsene Wenger will not only want an inspired performance against a tough Turkish outfit, but he will also be hoping his side can come away from this match without any injuries, ahead of their visit to Craven Cottage at the weekend.
Where to watch the match - live stream, start time, TV channels
Watch Fenerbahce vs Arsenal live on Wednesday, August 21, 2013:
In Canada at 14:45 ET on: Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario
In the USA at 14:45 ET on: Fox Sports 1, Fox Soccer 2Go
In the UK at 19:45 BST on: Sky Go, Sky Sports 1/HD, BBC Radio 5 Live, Sky Sports 1 Ireland
If you are outside the viewing areas mentioned above, please visit our match page to get a full TV listing. You can also stay up to date with live scores on LiveSoccerTV's homepage.
*Fenerbahce-Arsenal has ended. To follow Arsenal vs Fenerbahce live on Tuesday, August 27, 2013, click here.
