Besiktas 0-0 Arsenal : Five Talking Points

Arsenal played out an entertaining and at times ill-tempered affair in Istanbul as thew drew 0-0 against Besiktas in the first leg of the Champions League play-off round. Both sides enjoyed quite a few chances and while the hosts hit the bar in the opening minute, the visitors managed the same in the final few minutes.Here are the five major talking points from the game.

#1 Arsenal couldnt quite do it on a windy weekday in Istanbul

During Tony Pulis’ time with Stoke City, the physical, no-nonsense nature of the Potters’ play coupled with the windy and at times turbulent weather conditions prevalent in Stoke, made them a stern test for any opposition. Back then, the hallmark of a good side was beating them in those conditions. When it comes to European football, there are few more intimidating places to go than Istanbul. So it was no surprise to see Arsenal struggle in Turkey, where very few visiting sides have flourished.

Besiktas’s impressive home record in Uefa qualifying games coupled with the tricky conditions, which included a far from pristine pitch and turbulent winds meant that Arsenal struggled to take command in front of a vociferous home crowd who had come in to see their side.