UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 5-Star Arsenal Crushed Fenerbahce

Arsenal sticks a strong foot in the 2013/2014 UEFA Champions league as they left Turkey with a precious 3-0 lead which has them on course for a 16th successive Champions League campaign.

Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and an Olivier Giroud penalty provided the away goals, all in the second half, that left the Gunners in a strong position to progress from this two-legged  play-off, but Arsene Wenger’s injury problems continued to pile up. Laurent Koscielny was forced off in the first half with a cut near his eye after being on the receiving end of a reckless high boot from Pierre Webo.  Arsenal physio Colin Lewin described it as a ‘horrible’ cut and one of the most ridiculous things he had seen but Webo escaped with a yellow card. Wojciech Szczesny left the field at the end with grazes down the side of his face and neck after a brave block at the feet of Moussa Sow while Per Mertesacker was elbowed by Bruno Alves who, like Webo, escaped with a booking. Even Gibbs, who played despite a head wound he picked up against Aston Villa on Saturday, disturbed the butterfly stitches in his brow during a frenzied goal celebration. Koscielny was already suspended from Saturday’s derby at Fulham following his red card against Villa but the squad is looking thin after so many fringe players left the club. Arsenal dominated last night against a disappointing Fenerbahce team, who did not wake up until they were two down.

 

Fine strike: Aaron Ramsey hit the second at the site of his first Arsenal goal in a 5-2 win against the same opponents in 2008

 

Letting fly: Ramsey unleashes from distance to double Arsenal's advantage

 

When they visited the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in a Champions League group game in 2008, Arsenal soon drew the sting from the noisy Fenerbahce fans on their way to a 5-2 win. Wenger was looking for the same last night. His team settled well and enjoyed good passages of early possession, with Tomas Rosicky, preferred again to Lukas Podolski, combining well with Theo Walcott on the right and Santi Cazorla prominent on the left. Walcott did much of the early damage five years ago and he was simply too fast for left back Michal Kadlec. Fenerbahce, who, like Arsenal, started their domestic season with a defeat, were sloppy in possession and were pressed into careless mistakes by Arsenal’s business. Fenerbahce coach Ersun Yanal has been criticised for being too gung-ho but his players seemed uncomfortable as they tried a more intricate passing game but, for all their early superiority, Arsenal failed to work goalkeeper Volkan Demirel. The most strenuous activity for the Fenerbahce keeper in the first 15 minutes was to field the ball as a clearance from Bruno Alves crashed into Giroud and rebounded towards goal. At least this was more involvement than Szczesny had at the other end. He was limited to claiming a couple of high crosses and set pieces. Demirel reacted well to dash from his line and deny Walcott as the England winger darted inside in an attempt to connect with a pass from Cazorla. Rosicky collected the loose ball and delivered it back into the penalty box, where Giroud leapt to glance a header narrowly wide of the far post.

 

Up in arms: Arsene Wenger appeals after Laurent Koscielny (floored) was kicked in the face by Pierre Webo. The Fenerbahce striker was latterly booked

 

High foot: Koscielny catches Webo's boot in the face

 

Injury concern: Koscielny was replaced by Carl Jenkinson as Arsenal were hit by another blow

 

It triggered a purple patch for the London club. Ramsey whipped another effort just wide and Giroud went close again. Wenger must have been wondering if he would regret his side’s failure to capitalise on this pressure when his injury problems diverted his mind.  Jack Wilshere had already given the manager one scare when he twisted his troublesome right ankle in a midfield tangle with Mehmet Topal. Wilshere clutched his right foot and shot the bench a look of panic but he was able to continue. Fifteen minutes later, Wenger was forced into a defensive reshuffle when Koscielny was forced off after being cut near his right eye by the boot of Webo.

 

Anxious moments: Jack Wilshere went down in the first-half after an innocuous-looking clash, but the midfielder ran off the injury

 

 

On the ball: Wilshere was back to his bustling best at the heart of Arsenal's midfield

He challenged for the ball but Webo’s control was so poor that he followed his first touch with an overhead kick, which caught the Arsenal centre half full in the face. Wenger’s arms shot up in protest. The Fenerbahce fans jeered as referee Gianluca Rocchi produced a yellow card for Webo but Koscielny left the field after three minutes of treatment with a blood-stained towel held to his face. Wenger sent on Carl Jenkinson at right back and moved Sagna into the centre of defence but the boss was far from impressed by the referee’s leniency, stalking around in his technical area and grumbling at the fourth official and assistant referee. Arsenal remained in control without finding an away goal in the first half. Joseph Yobo made an excellent challenge to block Ramsey as he looked poised to finish an incisive move down the right.

 

Successful mission: Wenger looks set for another Champions League campaign - his 16th in succession

 

Mixed emotions: Bacary Sagna and Mertesacker are relieved, but Mousa Sow can't believe his miss

 

Former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt lashed a shot over the bar from 20 yards at the start of the second half and, within minutes, Arsenal were ahead with a goal inspired by the touch and vision of Ramsey. The Wales midfielder turned on the edge of the penalty area and slid a pass to Walcott. His low cross was perfect for Gibbs, who swept in his fourth goal for the club, his first since January and his first in Europe at the far post. There was a wonderful chance for Walcott, which slipped by, but Ramsey made it two with a brilliant run and drive from 25 yards out after 64 minutes. Keeper Demirel should have saved it but that will not worry Arsenal as they attempt to get their season up and running. Giroud made it 3-0 from the spot after 77 minutes following a trip by Kadlec on Walcott.