Wenger fears cost of defeat

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will let others be the judge of what it means should his side qualify again for the lucrative group stages of the Champions League – but knows all too well the cost of failing to beat Besiktas.

The Gunners flew into Istanbul on Monday evening with confidence boosted following a dramatic late 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on the first day of the new Barclays Premier League season, which came a week after defending champions Manchester City had been defeated 3-0 in the Community Shield.