UEFA Champions League qualifiers: Arsenal smash Fenerbahce, Schalke draw

Arsenal put aside their many troubles, to whitewash Fenerbahce 3-0 in Turkey this evening.

Arsene Wenger and his men, were under pressure going into the crucial play-off against the Turkish side, after losing 2-1 to Aston Villa in their first game of the season. But they responded superbly, by bossing the home side on their own turf in the first 45 minutes, although that did not reflect on the scoresheet.

In the second half, Aaron Ramsey released Walcott on the right and he squared the ball for Kieran Gibbs to tap in the opener. Ramsey himself made it 2-0, after the keeper failed to keep his shot out. Walcott was fouled in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Olivier Giroud stepped up and sent Vokan the wrong way.

Arsenal are now hot favourites to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League, but have to finish the job next week at home.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND-UP

FC Basel hold a 4-2 lead over Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad going into the second leg of the Champions League play-off round. Austria Vienna beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-0, while Schalke 04 drew 1-1 with PAOK and Steaua Bucharest were held at home against Legia Warsaw by the same scoreline.

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