Besiktas and Arsenal have played out a goalless first half in the first leg of their Champions League playoff in Istanbul this evening.

The hosts almost made a spectacular start to the match as Demba Ba attempted to lob Wojciech Szczesny straight from kickoff, forcing the Arsenal keeper to hurry back and tip the effort onto the crossbar.

Ba came close again in the ninth minute as he was picked out in the middle before unleashing a fine first-time volley towards goal that Szczesny did well to keep out.

Arsenal responded with a chance of their own almost immediately afterwards, but Santi Cazorla could only drag his effort wide of the mark having created space to shoot.

Jack Wilshere was the next to come close for the visitors as he curled an effort towards goal from 20 yards, but it was a comfortable one for the keeper to collect.

An in-form Ba had one final chance right on the stroke of half time as he cut inside before drilling an effort towards goal, but it skimmer inches past the post as the two sides went in 0-0.