Arsenal are hopeful that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s verdict on his knee injury proves to be on the pessimistic side.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has challenged his players to rise above the negativity surrounding the club’s disappointing start to the season and deliver the required performance in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie against Fenerbahce in Istanbul tonight.

Fenerbahce coach Ersun Yanal is determined his side will take a defendable lead back to London from tonight’s meeting with Arsenal at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in the first leg of their crunch Champions League play-off.

Manager Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal must be allowed to go about their transfer business away from public scrutiny — and defended his record in landing quality players as he prepared the depleted Gunners squad for tonight’s crucial Champions League play-off first leg away to Fenerbahce.

Arsenal have been handed a number of fitness boosts ahead of the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce tomorrow evening.

THE prospect of an all-English clash between Aston Villa and Tottenham in the UEFA Cup has been thrown up by the draw for the first knockout round — but both clubs have to see off testing opponents from eastern Europe first.

Aston Villa’s punishment for not finishing in the top two of their UEFA Cup group was a tricky tie with in-form CSKA Moscow following the draw for the last 32 in Nyon today.

REAL MADRID secured their progression and kept alive their outside hopes of winning Group H after Raul’s early strike earned them a 1-0 victory over BATE Borisov.

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Colin Kazim-Richards has been tipped for a bright future with Fenerbahce and Turkey, after putting a dent in Chelsea’s Champions League hopes.

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Fenerbahce boss Zico will remain faithful to his Brazilian heritage by sending out his side to attack Chelsea – but he may have to do it without his compatriot Roberto Carlos.

UEFA have promised to “seriously consider” Wembley as the venue for the 2010 Champions League final, after the stadium was passed over for 2008 and 2009 finals.

The 2008 UEFA Cup final will be held in the City of Manchester Stadium – but Wembley has been overlooked for the Champions League finals in 2008 and 2009.

SWITZERLAND held on in Istanbul last night to book their place in next year’s World Cup despite a stunning fight back from Turkey at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

THE Turkish Football Federation has condemned the treatment of its national side in Saturday’s World Cup playoff against Switzerland, fuelling tensions for the return leg in Istanbul tomorrow night.

Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim has vehemently denied claims that the Turkish league leaders are in talks with Lyon coach Paul Le Guen about taking charge at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium next season.

FANS who attempt to travel to Istanbul for England’s game against Turkey next month face the most stringent anti-hooligan measures ever put in place for a football match.