Aaron Ramsey was sent off as Arsenal fought out a goalless draw away at Besiktas in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie.

Ex-Chelsea striker Demba Ba gave the Gunners a scare when he hit the bar from the halfway line from kick-off.

But Arsenal, bidding to reach the group stage for a 17th consecutive season, also had chances in an open game.

After Ramsey saw red for a second booking, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain saw his shot turned on to the post.

The England international had surged into the box from the right wing in the 88th minute and it took a brilliant diving save from Tolga Zengin to deny him.

Defeat would have been harsh on a Besiktas side who took the game to the Gunners from the start, and they will deservedly travel to north London next week with the tie in the balance.

The Turkish team's own ground is being rebuilt so the match was played at Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium, the scene of Liverpool's famous comeback to beat AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final.

The drama on this occasion was in no way comparable with that epic encounter, but the attacking approach of both sides made for an entertaining game, despite Wenger voicing his concern about the playing surface before kick-off.

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