by Mark Bassey

For the second successive year, Arsenal will have to battle it out with a Turkish opponent, to qualify for the Champions League proper.

Arsene Wenger’s men were drawn against Besiktas in the Champions League play-off draws conducted on Friday in Nyon, avoiding clubs like Athletic Bilbao, Lille , FC Copenhagen and Standard Liege.

Celtic, who were reinstated into the competiton after it was revealed that Legia Warsaw used an ineligible player in their tie.

In the other matches, Standard Liege play Zenit, FC Copenhagen take on Bayer Leverkusen, while Lille face FC Porto. Ties will be played on August 19/20 and 26/27.

ifreke

Ifreke Inyang is a public commentator and social media critic who has worked with a number of high profile publications across the country.