Arsenal Champions League draw: Gunners to face Besiktas in the play-off round

The first leg takes place on 19/20 August, the second leg the following week

James Orr
Saturday 09 August 2014 12:13 BST
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger directs Jack Wilshere during training
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger directs Jack Wilshere during training (Getty)

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Arsenal have been tasked with the challenge of Besiktas in the Champions League play-off round, after the draw was made in Nyon today.

The Gunners were forced to qualify for the Champions League via the play-offs after they finished fourth in the Premier League last season.

The Turks strengthened their side during the summer with the arrival of Demba Ba from Chelsea.

The play-off tie will be the first time the clubs have ever met in a competitive match.

The first leg takes place away in Turkey on 19 August, while the second leg is at the Emirates Stadium on 27 August.

Elsewhere, Celtic, who were reinstated after previous opponents Legia Warsaw fielded an ineligible player, take on the Slovenians Maribor.

Full draw

Maribor (Slovenia) v Celtic (Scotland)

Salzburg (Austria) v Malmo (Sweden)

Aalborg (Denmark) v Apoel Nicosia (Cyprus)

Steaua Bucharest (Romania) v Ludogorets (Bulgaria)

Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) v BATE Borisov (Belarus)

Besiktas (Turkey) v Arsenal (England)

Standard Liege (Belgium) v Zenit St Petersburg (Russia)

FC Copenhagen (Denmark) v Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)

Lille (France) v Porto (Portugal)

Napoli (Italy) v Athletic Bilbao (Spain)

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