It was almost the worst possible result for Arsenal, with the only positive being Besiktas's failure to score. Mikel Arteta was injured by a late, nasty kick from Demba Ba, and Aaron Ramsey saw two yellow cards. Arsenal had the better of the chances on the night, but Olivier Giroud, who was awful throughout, failed to convert as Arsenal once against struggled to find fluency.
Besiktas didn't have that many chances; the first one Demba Ba's audacious long-shot from kickoff that caught Wojciech Szczesny scrambling, but the Pole was able to punch clear. Ba could've scored not long after, but his first-time volley was saved by Szczesny. An unfortunate slip from Chambers let Ba in, but he dragged his shot wide of Szczesny's goal. Arsenal then started to come into the game, with Alexis Sanchez looking bright. He burst into the penalty box and cut the ball back for Olivier Giroud, but the Frenchman fell over and messed up his shot. It would not be the first time Giroud was frustrating, with his usual hold-play invisible and his first touch ineffectual. On the stroke of halftime, Aaron Ramsey chipped a lovely through ball for Giroud, but he whiffed.
Ramsey could've opened the scoring early on in the second period, winning possession and playing a one two with Giroud, but the ball was nicked off of his feet just as he was about to shoot. Ramsey then picked up two yellow cards, both for pulling opponent's shirts; the first one was harsh, while the second one was a downright dive from former Arsenal player Oguzhan Özyakup. Among this, Mikel Arteta was forced off with an injury sustained after a late challenge from Demba Ba, with Mathieu Flamini replacing him.
Arsenal could've won at the death, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain having an excellent left-footed shot forced onto the post. A 0-0 draw will suffice, and sets up a nervous second leg at the Emirates next week. Arsenal should win, but if they continue to play poorly, and persist with a 4-1-4-1 formation that only seems to suit an ineffectual Jack Wilshere, they will not win against better sides, such as Everton this coming Saturday.