Champion’s League Match Preview: Arsenal v Besitkas; An all too familiar place

To some, this seems like an easier fixture than it is. For me, there is always something about Turkey that scares me. It could be residual effects from my time in the Navy. During our transit to Antalya the US Navy showed the movie “Midnight Express” repeatedly to highlight the dangers of what could happen if we ended up in a Turkish Prison. I’ve been scared of Turkey ever since.

But as it relates to football, its not an easy journey for the team to take and the environment is electric. Not always in the positive way. Arsenal head there, to this cauldron on a less than impressive performance against a team that hasn’t even started it’s season, but looked very impressive in the last round against Feynoord.

Arsenal are looking for their 17th straight trip to the premier tournament’s knock out stages. A performance like this past Saturday will only make it harder.

Champion’s League is the measure of “big clubs,” especially in England, Germany, Spain and Italy. Forget the silly nonsense of Arsenal going in the competition with the desire “never to win it,” as opposition supporters always rant. This is a competition Wenger desperately wants to win. It’s the only one that he doesn’t have on his CV. It’s the one that he yearns for and you feel the team he is building will do well domestically, but if it comes together right, should really do well continentally.

It’s hard to talk of “must wins” when the season is barely a week old. But a win in Istanbul makes the return leg next week easier and builds that big “mo” we’ve all be so happy to discuss lately. While there are some injury and fitness concerns at the back, you can make a case for Wenger to rotate, especially with a tough tie against Everton looming but knowing the gaffer, it’s likely he’ll make some slight adjustments but the overall squad will stay in tact.

The home side are likely to be bouyed by the rumoured bonus they’ve been offered should they knock Arsenal out of the Champion’s League. That and playing at home, they will offer a stern test for one of the tournaments pre-eminent teams.

Arsenal need to come out with a win or draw. At home next week with the return of “ze Germans,” gives the Gunners a stronger hand in London. Coming in with a draw or a single away goal gives the red and white army the advantage they’d need coming back home.

Yes, I am worried. You should be too. Shame on if you aren’t. But in the end I do think we come out of that environment with the advantage we need.

Players to Watch:
Arsenal. Calum Chambers. Since his arrival, the 19 year old Englishman hasn’t put a step out of place. Slotting into his first Champion’s League tie will be a challenge but he looks up for the task.

Besitkas. Demba Ba. The Turks newest signing is all too familiar with their EPL foe and will look to impress against the team he almost joined on loan last season.

Projected Lineups:
Arsenal: Szczesny; Debuchy, Chambers, Koscielny, Monreal;  Flamini, Arteta; Ramsey,  Sanchez, Cazorla; Giroud

Besitkas: Tolga; Kurtuluş, Franco, Gülüm, Motta; Koyunlu, Uysal, Kavlak, Şahan; Pektemek, Ba

Arsenal Injuries and Suspensions:
Gibbs (hamstring), Sanogo (hamstring), Mertesacker, Özil, and Podolski (all match fitness)

Head to Head Tournament Stats:

Match Official

Referee: Milorad Mažić (SRB)
Assistant referees: Milovan Ristić (SRB) , Dalibor Djurdjević (SRB)
Additional assistant referees: Danilo Grujić (SRB) , Dejan Filipovic (SRB)
Fourth official: Vladimir Jovanović (SRB

Broadcast Information:
US: FoxSoccer 2 Go 3:45 PM EST

UK: ITV 1 1945 GMT/20.45 CET

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal 2 – 1 Besitkas

Manager’s Comments:

Arsène Wenger

It is a big test. We had a short preparation, and we know that in one week we have three big games. Beşiktaş home and away, and Everton in between. Every game you win makes you stronger. On that front winning games helps you to gain confidence. The group still needs to grow.

Every challenge is different and beating a Turkish team away from home is very difficult, but we want to perform at our best. Beşiktaş are on the back of a good result against Feyenoord. We’re on our toes and want to produce a good result. We started strongly last year [beating Fenerbahçe SK] and played our game with good determination, and we will try to do that again.

I have a good experience in the Champions League, I know you have to be pragmatic and realistic and just go game by game. First we have to qualify, and that is a very difficult task and we know we have two difficult games. So before speaking about anything else we know we have to put in two big performances against Beşiktaş.

Slaven Bilić

The logos behind us say more than a thousand words – look at that [UEFA Champions League] backdrop and you see the importance of this game. We know what we’re up against and we’re ready to fight right until the end. It’s a massive game not only for this generation but for the history of Beşiktaş. Arsenal are one of the best teams in Europe, but we have a plan and we’re going to make it happen.

Arsenal are ready. They scored a late winner on Saturday in the first game of the Premier League season – those first fixtures are always difficult. They haven’t got their German players who won the World Cup, but they’ve got such a quality squad, such a big squad, and the same manager for 18 years – to say they are not ready is out of question.

[Arsenal have played in qualifying 12 times and advanced on every occasion]. That shows their strength. They’re favourites, but we have to believe. We won’t be doing on-the-pitch selfies with Alexis Sánchez, Arteta or Giroud. We are not here to swap shirts with them. No! We have a plan and we’re a big club, too. Arsenal are the favourites, but we’ll do our best