Fenerbahçe vs Arsenal preview

Frustrating summer but there remains plenty of optimism

Arsenal have endured a frustrating summer on the transfer front, but, after a strong end to 2012/13 and with Jack Wilshere fit, hopes of a 16th successive UEFA Champions League campaign are high.

Wenger has been at the helm throughout as he enters his 18th season at Arsenal – his obsession, a club as close to his heart as it is his first name. Yet it has been a difficult summer, with the manager's declaration that "we will be active" in the transfer market thus far unrealised. To date the club have added only 20-year-old striker Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer from AJ Auxerre.

Fenerbahce games absolutely key

Arsène Wenger believes the Champions League play-off matches against Fenerbahce will be Arsenal’s most important of the season.

“Yes of course [they are the most important games of the season],” he told Arsenal Player. “We fought very hard last season to be in the top four and that game has a vital importance.

"It's a consequence of what we tried to achieve last season and therefore, on the back of our defeat against Aston Villa, it's important as well to bounce back straight away.

“To be part of the top level - that is for us the most important thing. All the rest are the 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 about.

Fenerbahçe targeting a victory

Fenerbahçe coach Ersun Yanal is determined his side will have a defendable lead after Wednesday's meeting with Arsenal at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in the first leg.

"Arsenal are a high power team, so we will want to go there with an advantage," Yanal said at a press conference.

"As a team we are strong enough to finish the challenge which is in front of us.

"We are competing to be in the first lane (of the group stage)."

Like Arsenal, Fenerbahçe - who came past Salzburg in the last European qualifying round - lost their opening domestic fixture, going down 3-2 at Konyaspor.

Yanal is expecting a response. He said: "My players need to be ready to play a more dynamic, play more up-tempo."

The Fenerbahçe coach, though, will not take the threat of the Gunners lightly. He added: "The Arsenal team has a style, with very talented young players from around the world football market."

Team news:

Arsenal will take the following squad to tomorrow’s Champions League qualifier with Fenerbahçe. The group that will travel to Istanbul is as follows:

Spoiler:

While Fenerbahçe's squad is as follows:

Spoiler:

Predicted lineups


Bench: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Monreal; Frimpong, Gnabry, Rosicky; Sanogo;


Bench: Günok; Korkmaz; Topuz, Potuk; Erkin, Baroni, Webo;

Nice Preview Urban  

Tough game but we have been there and done that, the squad has played in front of intimidating atmosphere before. Most of them are experienced International players with a few caps among them, its not like the last time when we had the likes of Song and Theo who were still fresh kids out of the blocks so of this silly bollocks about the crowd affecting us is non sense.

I am expecting us to get at least a scored draw or a win over there, a defeat would be a disaster considering the amount of pressure the the team is already under. A win here would be a huge morale boost, if we loose there I can see our confidence being hit and struggling in the next few games. Fingers cross we come out of this injury free because I have a feeling Fenerbache will apply the same type of approach Villa used.

Great work Urban  

What a huge night. HUGE. We can't afford a negative result at this moment, simply because of the pressure on the manager.

An away goal is vital.

we played there a few seasons back and we battered them 5-2 playing good football, the crowed didnt mean shit, we actually play better away from home anyway.

Good preview mate. Top job!

nice preview.. but i am not confident about this game.. we are in the worst situation for this tough away game.. some players returning after injuries and the other half bruised from the Villa game..
i will settle for a draw with 2 away goals considering how short are we.. it is this same team who has to play at Fulham on Saturday..

Nice job, Urban

We still have a good enough team (fitness-wise) to beat Fenerbache. It is always gonna be tough though, as we are playing at their home first up. The home fans will be right behind their team and Fenerbache will surely be up for it. We need to soak up that pressure though, that pressure plus the pressure that the team has been placed after the first result of the season.

A draw will be good enough to take to the Emirates. But if we can somehow finish of this tie in the first leg, it'll be all for the better.

@Urban, why do you think Flappy will start ahead of Sir Chesny?

Good Job Mate
we Best perform from the 1st minute and Get sufficient away Goals
would be Huge boost to Manage away win

Cazorla really lacks sharpness but we aint have much options
--------

Rich Clarke ‏@MrRichardClarke

@Arsenal will wear blue shorts tonight for #FENvAFC. Otherwise it is the home kit. Colour clash with Fenerbahce.

Well done Urban. 

What a night, the most important game of the season imo. Not playing CL will be depressing. We can take them, I believe in our boys.

----------------Fabianski
Sagna--------Mertesacker-----Koscielny -----Gibbs
---------------Wilshere ---------- Ramsey----------
Walcott -------------Cazorla-------------- Podolski
----------------------Giroud---------

Great line up, almost the same line up beat Bayern.

Spoiler:

hopefully another 5pud2 coming to put them in their place lolz

Great work Urban.

I will take a scoring draw back to the Emirates tbh. Extremely tough place to play but our players should be used to this sort of atmosphere.

That being said, this is almost our strongest lineup excluding Arteta and we should be able to win this game. I am really worried about the lack of options from the bench if we are to go down though.

Fenerbahçe are in really bad form, thankfully for Arsenal...

Referee:Gianluca Rocchi
Fenerbahce Vs Arsenal
Matches:30
Yellows:164  
Reds:8  
Penalties:13

Yellow card friendly for sure.

I think it will be 2-1 to Fenerbache. I'll be happy with that as things are.

Off topic, but I've just listened to the Clockend podcast (official AFC pod).

You'd think we were top of the league with Messi and Ronaldo about to sign.

Incredible stuff!

If you thought that 'Wenger Hangout' was propoganda...give that pod a listen.

I was stunned (probs due to the fact I had a few to listen to and I didn't realise it was the official one).

As soon as any caller started to question our situation it was Lofty going ''Well, thanks for that. Some interesting points.'' as he cut them off!

I'm really annoyed.

I just hate propoganda.

HighburyMan says:
Mertesacker on the game tonight;

‘We need to be ready and defend well’

That rules you out then!

I thought this was hilarious.  

A lot has to do with how much confidence we lost against villa. Wenger, like so often in recent times, has a job of motivating the players to turn up and perform.

I think our experience will prevent us losing; I'm not sure we'll get the win though. I'm going for a 2-1 win.