The Short Fuse - Arsenal vs. Besiktas: Champions League Play Offit me, Jeffhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51365/tsf-fav.png2014-08-27T16:49:37-04:00http://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/rss/stream/58095722014-08-27T16:49:37-04:002014-08-27T16:49:37-04:00Arsenal 1-0 Besiktas: Seventeen
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<figcaption>Done and dusted | Shaun Botterill</figcaption>
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<p>Arsenal are through despite the best efforts of the referee.</p> <p>A year from now, we'll look back and go "Arsenal won last year's qualifier 1-0", and that will of course be true. But a year from now, hopefully we'll all have blocked out just how nervy this game was, despite Arsenal going up 1-0 at the half. A second half sending off of Debuchy for...reasons, and the subsequent booking of Calum Chambers for coming on when the fourth official told him to, made for just two of the headscratchers on the night, a night when Arsenal finally, after two league games and the first leg of this tie, looked like they're shaking off the rust and becoming Arsenal yet again.</p>
<p>But, despite the ridiculous refereeing and the Arsenal-still-working-their-way-into-shape quality of a few stretches of the game, it's job done - Arsenal are through to the Champions League group stages for the 17th consecutive season, so we can all rest easy now. The draw for those group stage games takes place tomorrow, and the group stages themselves kick off on the 16th/17th of September.</p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/uefa-champions-league/2014/8/27/6075815/arsenal-1-0-besiktas-seventeenpdb2014-08-27T14:07:49-04:002014-08-27T14:07:49-04:00Arsenal vs. Besiktas: Match Thread and TV Info
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<figcaption>This isn't dodgeball. Don't try to catch it. | Clive Brunskill</figcaption>
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<p>No worries, right? Right?</p> <div style="text-align: center;">Arsenal vs. Besiktas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">UEFA Champions League Play Off, Second Leg</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Emirates Stadium, Islington, London</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Wednesday, August 27 11.45 PT/2.45 ET/7/45 BT</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">US TV: Fox Sports 1 | Worldwide listings at <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/" target="_blank">livesoccer.tv</a><br>
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<div style="text-align: left;">It's time for leg two of the Champions League play off. Leg one went...ok I guess? A draw was a decent result, a score draw would have been better, a win, well, let's not go nuts. Anyway, it's 0-0 heading into tonight, which means nerves will be running high, at least among the chattering classes.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">Arsenal's situation is well known - no Meaty French Forehead, no Arteta, and no Ramsey. But all the World Cuppers are back, so objectively, Arsenal should see this game out without too much trouble. But That's Why They Play The Games and all that, of course, so I'll just be sitting over here in the corner, rocking back and forth and clutching my bottle of Pepto-Bismol and repeating "Arsenal are the better team" over and over until the final whistle.</div>
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<b>11 PLAYERS, ONE GOAL:</b><br>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Arsenal?src=hash">#Arsenal</a> team to play Besiktas: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Wilshere, Ox, Flamini, Cazorla, Ozil, Alexis <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFCvBES?src=hash">#AFCvBES</a></p>
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arsenal/statuses/504684675814932480">August 27, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Arsenal?src=hash">#Arsenal</a> subs: Martinez, Chambers, Coquelin, Rosicky, Podolski, Campbell, Sanogo <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFCvBES?src=hash">#AFCvBES</a></p>
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arsenal/statuses/504684847982731264">August 27, 2014</a>
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<p>Arsenal maçı 11'imiz: Tolga - İsmail - Pedro - Ersan - Motta - Atiba - Veli - Mustafa - Oğuzhan - Olcay - Demba Ba</p>
— Beşiktaş JK (@Besiktas) <a href="https://twitter.com/Besiktas/statuses/504679960616140800">August 27, 2014</a>
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https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2014/8/27/6074751/arsenal-vs-besiktas-match-thread-and-tv-infopdb2014-08-26T23:23:12-04:002014-08-26T23:23:12-04:00Arsenal vs. Besiktas: Match Preview And TV
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<img alt="The 2014 Leap Frog World Championships are mere weeks away" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/U9PfuiqME8bZ21x6hzgtMkBYp4c=/0x90:4000x2757/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37507650/454015894.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The 2014 Leap Frog World Championships are mere weeks away | Clive Brunskill</figcaption>
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<p>The second leg sees Arsenal at home trying for 17.</p> <p> </p>
<div style="text-align: center;">Arsenal vs. Besiktas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">UEFA Champions League Play Off, Second Leg</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Emirates Stadium, Islington, London</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Wednesday, August 27 11.45 PT/2.45 ET/7.45 BT</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">US TV: Fox Sports 1 | Worldwide listings at <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/" target="_blank">livesoccer.tv</a>
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<div style="text-align: left;">Here we are, playing the second leg of the consequence of finishing fourth. Much has changed since last week, most notably Olivier Giroud's foot, which changed from fixed to not-fixed. We still don't know the extent of the not-fixed, but it <a href="http://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2014/8/25/6067619/arsenal-injury-news-olivier-giroud-foot-three-months" target="_blank">doesn't look good</a>; best case, a few weeks, more realistic case, ugh.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">This tie sits at a very awkward 0-0 after last week, which means that Arsenal will need to defend a whole lot better than they have done so far this season in the league; Besiktas aren't the team that Everton is, sure, but Arsenal can't afford to be chasing a game like this, so hopefully things stay nice and tight at the back and Arsenal can find some way of producing offense that doesn't pass through Olivier Giroud.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">Aaron Ramsey also sits this one out after deciding he didn't have enough yellow cards in his life; Mikel Arteta is still recovering and will play no part either. As for Besiktas, they still haven't started their season, so they're well rested and in good shape, and will probably put out much the same side that held Arsenal scoreless last week.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">So in short, Arsenal need to press, need to score first, but need to be wary of that pressing leaving their midfield too high and exposed to snuff out a counterattack. No problem! Sanogo will probably get a start up front, so hopefully the experience in the midfield will help him out, because as much as I rate Sanogo as one for the future, I'm not sure the future is today or tomorrow. But, as many a wise man(ager) has said, if you're good enough you're old enough.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">This is one of those "must win" games. I usually hate that cliche - does a team ever take the pitch to not win? - but in this case it's true. So go win, already.</div>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/uefa-champions-league/2014/8/26/6072969/arsenal-vs-besiktas-match-preview-and-tvpdb2014-08-19T17:13:24-04:002014-08-19T17:13:24-04:00Besiktas 0-0 Arsenal: Match Report
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<p>A disappointing result with the added worry of having Aaron Ramsey sent off and Mikel Arteta injured. </p> <p>It was almost the worst possible result for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a>, with the only positive being Besiktas's failure to score. <span>Mikel Arteta</span> was injured by a late, nasty kick from Demba Ba, and <span>Aaron Ramsey</span> saw two yellow cards. Arsenal had the better of the chances on the night, but <span>Olivier Giroud</span>, who was awful throughout, failed to convert as Arsenal once against struggled to find fluency.</p>
<p>Besiktas didn't have that many chances; the first one <span>Demba Ba's</span> audacious long-shot from kickoff that caught <span>Wojciech Szczesny</span> 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.</p>
<p>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 <span>Mathieu Flamini</span> replacing him.</p>
<p>Arsenal could've won at the death, with <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span> 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 <span>Jack Wilshere</span>, they will not win against better sides, such as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> this coming Saturday.</p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/uefa-champions-league/2014/8/19/6046245/arsenal-besiktas-champions-league-final-score-reportAidan Gibson2014-08-19T14:00:55-04:002014-08-19T14:00:55-04:00Besiktas vs. Arsenal: Lineups and Match Thread
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<p>The first leg of Arsenal's Champions League qualifier from Istanbul--here we go!</p> <p><br><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> v. Besiktas<br>UEFA Champions League Play Off<br>Tuesday, August 19, 11.45 PT/2.45 ET/7.45 BT/9.45 EET<br>Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey<br>TV: Fox Sports 1 (US), Fox Sports Go online; for worldwide listings go to livesoccer.tv</p>
<p>Arsenal kick off their Champions League campaign with the first of a two-leg contest today with Besiktas. The winner of the tie will go into the draw for the group stages of the competition proper. Here is your place to follow along with all of the action from Turkey!</p>
<p>Remember the following guidelines for match threads: <br>- Be kind to each other; tempers will flare during matches, but please do not take it out on fellow TSFers.<br>- Racism, sexism, homophobia, and other excessively nasty banter will not be tolerated.<br>- Do not link to illegal streams of the match.</p>
<p>Oh, and one other update: if you don't already follow, we have <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/TheShortFuse">the Short Fuse twitter feed</a> as well--Zito will tweet you through the first half, and I'll have the second. Check it out!</p>
<p>Otherwise, enjoy the match, and COME ON ARSENAL!</p>
<p>Here are the lineups for Arsenal and Besiktas:</p>
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<p>Arsenal XI v Besiktas: Szczesny; Debuchy, Koscielny, Chambers, Monreal; Arteta, Ramsey; Cazorla, Wilshere, Sanchez; Giroud.</p>
— danlevy1 (@danlevy1) <a href="https://twitter.com/danlevy1/statuses/501789660272922624">August 19, 2014</a>
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<p>BESIKTAS XI v Arsenal: Tolga, Ismail, Motta, Ersan, Pedro, Olcay, Veli, Necip, Oguzhan, Mustafa, Ba</p>
— Jerrad Peters (@jerradpeters) <a href="https://twitter.com/jerradpeters/statuses/501788973505974273">August 19, 2014</a>
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<p>And the subs for Arsenal:</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Arsenal?src=hash">#Arsenal</a> subs: Martinez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Bellerin, Miquel, Campbell, Flamini, Rosicky <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BESvAFC?src=hash">#BESvAFC</a></p>
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arsenal/statuses/501791140145020928">August 19, 2014</a>
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https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2014/8/19/6045543/arsenal-besiktas-2014-uefa-champions-league-lineupsTed Harwood2014-08-18T13:16:40-04:002014-08-18T13:16:40-04:00Arsenal vs. Besiktas: Match Preview And TV
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<figcaption>I mean, ideally you want players that are taller than the corner flag | Clive Mason</figcaption>
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<p>When the season starts it doesn't mess around.</p> <p> </p>
<div style="text-align: center;">Arsenal v. Besiktas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">UEFA Champions League Play Off</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Tuesday, August 19, 11.45 PT/2.45 ET/7.45 BT/9.45 EET</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">TV: Fox Sports 1 (US), Fox Sports Go online; for worldwide listings go to <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.livesoccer.tv" target="_blank">livesoccer.tv</a>
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<div style="text-align: left;">So here we are, fresh off an unconvincing yet satisfying win at the weekend over Crystal Palace, having to get ready for a Champions League play off game that nobody wanted. Arsenal do have a good record in these things - since they started making the Champions League an annual occurrence in 1847, they've had to go the play off route 164 times, and they've won each and every...wait, hang on, my director of statistics says there may be a problem with those numbers.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">Since Arsenal's run of 17 consecutive years in the Champions League started, they have had to enter the group stages via a play off round seven times. They've obviously never lost one, and despite all the handwringing about Those Crazy Turkish Fans and their Crazy Atmosphere, I don't expect Arsenal will lose this one either; that said, if Arsenal don't play better and pass better and remember they're Arsenal better than they did on Saturday, this could be a trickier tie than Wenger & Co. would like it to be.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">The worry for Arsenal tomorrow will of course be in defense - Koscielny traveled, but he's very much a last minute decision with an Achilles ouchie, so Per "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWJpZad8zU8" target="_blank">I'M NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE HERE TODAY</a>" Mertesacker <strike>traveled down to Turkey as well, in case Kos can't go</strike>. <b>EDIT: Way to ruin a perfectly good Clerks reference, Arsenal:</b>
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<p>Also Laurent <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Koscielny?src=hash">#Koscielny</a> is in the squad and <a href="https://twitter.com/mertesacker">@mertesacker</a> has not travelled. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BESvAFC?src=hash">#BESvAFC</a></p>
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arsenal/statuses/501426882236395520">August 18, 2014</a>
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<div style="text-align: left;">Kieran Gibbs also faces a late fitness test, but otherwise Arsenal have a full squad to choose from, and the most major change I would expect is to see Giroud start over Sanogo.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">Besiktas are still in preseason, so it's hard to tell how they'll perform. They have some names non-Turkish league fans will recognize - Premier League fans will know Demba Ba, and USMNT fans will see the maybe-soon-to-be-departed-for-Chicago Jermaine Jones on the team sheet, and manager Slaven Bilic had decent spells at West Ham and Everton. As much as this may be a copout in an article titled "Match Preview", I have almost complete ignorance of Turkish football, so I would invite those of you who follow the Turkish game to please help me fill in the Besiktas blanks in the comments.</div>
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<b>PROBABLE ARSENAL TEAM</b>:<br>Szcz; Monreal, (Kos/Per), Chambers, Debuchy; Ramsey, Wilshere, Arteta; Cazorla, Sanchez, Giroud</div>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/uefa-champions-league/2014/8/18/6031055/arsenal-vs-besiktas-champions-league-play-off-preview-and-tvpdb