From the opening seconds, when Demba Ba clattered a shot into the woodwork almost directly from the kick-off, it was clear that this might be a European play-off containing a little more peril than normal for Arsenal. Aaron Ramsey’s late red card for two bookings summed up their discomfort. Besiktas, and Ba in particular, seemingly on a mission to prove Chelsea sold the wrong striker, were not about to bow down and shower Arsene Wenger and his team with rose petals as they waved them into the group stages of the Champions League for the 17th successive year. Slaven Bilic had them revved up and Wenger’s team performed, as they did against Crystal Palace on Saturday, with spirit and resistance but little fluency.
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Aaron Ramsey is sent off as Arsenal endure stalemate at Turkish opponents Besiktas
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Ramsey was sent off for two second yellow cards at the Ataturk Stadium
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Demba Ba almost gave the hosts the lead after six seconds when his shot from kick-off hit the crossbar
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain nearly won it late on for the Gunners when his strike hit the post
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Besiktas boss Slaven Bilic was sent to the stands in the closing stage of the match
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Champions League play-off second leg is at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday
@placeholder is an aggressive manager who throws players forward and attempts to attack first.