Arsenal vs Besiktas team news: Alexis Sanchez keeps his place as the Gunners’ lone striker after Olivier Giroud injury

How the teams line up for tonight’s Champions League qualifier

James Orr
Thursday 28 August 2014 16:35 BST
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(Getty Images)

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Alexis Sanchez will lead Arsenal’s attack in their Champions League qualifier against Besiktas at the Emirates Stadium tonight, with Olivier Giroud out with a suspected broken foot he suffered in the 2-2 draw with Everton on Saturday.

The Gunners were already without key midfielders Mikel Arteta (ankle) plus Aaron Ramsey (suspension), meaning Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain comes into the starting XI.

The first leg between the teams ended goalless in Turkey last week, Demba Ba impressed for the home side in the tie, nearly scoring from kick-off with an audacious half-way line effort that had goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny scrambling to make the save.

Oxlade-Chamberlain had Arsenal’s best effort of the game, his late slalom into the Besiktas box yielded a curling shot which was palmed onto the post by Erkan Zengin.

Arsenal: Szcsesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Wilshere, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Alexis

Subs: Martinez, Chambers, Rosicky, Coquelin, Podolski, Sanogo, Campbell

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