Two goals from Aaron Ramsey saw Arsenal safely through to the group stages of the Champions League for the sixteenth consecutive year and at least keep the shareholders happy for another season. The young Welshman in the form of his career scored a goal in either half, the second a smart finish on the volley, as the Gunners warmed up for the North London Derby without too many alarms. While the Turkish outfit huffed and puffed particularly in the first half, over turning a three goal first leg deficit was always going to be too big a mountain to climb. The only downside for Arsenal were on the injury front with Lucas Poldolski being stretchered off with a hamstring tear at the beginning of the second half and being ruled out for at least three weeks. This with both Ramsey and Jack Wilshere receiving knocks highlighted the folly of Arsene Wenger's high risk transfer policy with the supporters' biggest game , the North London Derby, fast approaching. On the plus side Juan Mata's father, who coincidentally is also his agent, was a guest of the club at the match and having missed out on his son's signature two years ago many Gooners will be hoping for a more positive outlook this time. With the transfer window due to slam shut at 23:00 on Monday Arsenal will be hoping to bring in at least four new players. Mathieu Flamini, their former defensive midfielder looks set to be confirmed this week after training with the club all summer and if Mata can be prised from Chelsea's clutches a top draw centre forward and a centre half would complete some good business. As I stated this all seems a rather scatter gun approach to transfer dealing if Wenger can pull it off perhaps the supporters can join the shareholders in rubbing their hands with glee. The draw for the Champions League groups is this Thursday at 16:00 - with Arsenal one of the eight top seeds, they will be confident of continuing their unblemished record of negotiating this round.
