Arsenal rounded off their Champions League Group D campaign with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Galatasaray at the Turk Telekom Arena this evening.
The Gunners were ahead inside the opening three minutes when Lukas Podolski fired the ball into the roof of the net, while Aaron Ramsey added two more before the interval.
Wesley Sneijder managed to pull one back for the hosts in the second half, although Podolski converted once more with what was the last kick of the game to regain his side's three-goal cushion.
Relive the 90 minutes of action with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Champions League meeting between Galatasaray and Arsenal at the Turk Telekom Arena.
The Gunners may have already secured their passage into the knockout stages of the Champions League heading into the final round of fixtures, but they are still looking to claim top spot in Group D. New Galatasaray coach Hamza Hamzaoglu is aiming to steady the ship, meanwhile, following what has been a poor showing by his bottom-placed side so far this season in Europe.
Arsene Wenger took the unusual step of naming his side 24 hours before kickoff, revealing that an array of key players – including star man Alexis Sanchez – would not travel for this evening's game. That has given certain fringe players a chance to shine, while the bench is packed with young, inexperienced names.
With the Galatasaray team sheet now in, let's take a look at those two starting lineups in full...
TEAM NEWS!
GALATASARAY STARTING XI: Bolat, Camdal, Semih, Hakan, Telles, Melo, Colak, Bruma, Sneijder, Bulut, Yilmaz
ARSENAL STARTING XI: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Bellerin, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Campbell, Podolski, Sanogo
The hosts are without the suspended Selcuk Inan this evening, while Blerim Dzemalli misses out through injury. There's better news elsewhere, though, with Burak Yılmaz leading the line and Wesley Sneijder starting from the off at the Turk Telekom Arena. This Galatasaray squad has undoubted talent throughout, although that is not reflected in their current position in Group D.
In terms of the home side, Mathieu Debuchy comes in at the back for what is his first appearance in three months, while Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker and Calum Chambers all retain their place following the disastrous first-half showing against Stoke City last time out. A clean sheet will do them the world of good this evening, while Debuchy will just be keen to get some much-needed minutes under his belt.
Arsenal's attacking trio this evening all have a point to prove in their own way, with Lukas Podolski, Joel Campbell and Yaya Sanogo tasked with leading the line in Turkey. The latter of the three bagged his first goal for the club last time out in this competition, although chances have been few and far for each all season. This is their chance to show manager Arsene Wenger that they have what it takes to feature more prominently in the New Year.
BENCH WATCH!
GALATASARAY SUBSTITUTES: Iscan, Altıntop, Ozcal, Oztekin, Olcan Adin, Kurtulus, Sari
ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Martinez, O'Connor, Kamara, Maitland-Niles, Zelalem, Iwobi, Akpom
As already mentioned, the visitors have named an inexperienced bench for this evening's clash, with Emilliano Martinez among the back-ups. He has started each of Arsenal's last four games, keeping clean sheets in three of them, but that aforementioned collapse at the Britannia Stadium on the weekend was enough for Wenger to reintroduce the fit-again Wojciech Szczesny for this one.
Galatasaray have the once highly-rated Hamit Altintop among their subs, meanwhile, alongside Yekt​a Kurtulus, Veysel Sari. They are merely playing for pride tonight, but under a new manager the players will be looking to impress as they see out their European campaign.
The scene is set for this Group D encounter...
Well with this being the final round of group fixtures, there can often be an array of permutations to deal with. As things stand, Dortmund and Arsenal are through to the knockout stages, while Anderlecht and Galatasaray are out. That cannot change this evening no matter what happens across both games. What can change, though, are the top two spots in the group. Should the Gunners win and Dortmund lose, Arsenal will take top spot; a Dortmund draw and a six-goal win for Wenger's men will also suffice.
Finishing second has been Arsenal's biggest downfall in Europe in recent seasons, and that looks likely to be the case this evening once again. In fact, with what is a weakened side, it could be argued that Wenger has himself admitted defeat already. I'm sure supporters of the North London outfit will not need reminding, but in each of the past four seasons Arsenal have exited that Champions League at the Round of 16 stage.
Bayern Munich (twice), Barcelona and AC Milan have each proved too strong for the Gunners at the first hurdle following progression from the group stage, but in truth each fixture against the heavyweights could have been avoided. By finishing top you set up a meeting with a second-placed side - still strong, of course, but not at the same level as the likes of Bayern and Barcelona. Having come under pressure throughout this season, Wenger really could have done with finishing top of Group D.
Tonight they come up against a Galatasaray side who have struggled to find consistency this side domestically, while in Europe they have claimed just a solitary point. That came on the opening matchday at home to Galatasaray when a late Burak goal rescued them a point, but since then it has been four defeats on the bounce.
Cesar Prandelli was sacked as manager at the back end of last month, with Hamza Hamzaoglu taking over until the end of the season. The new man in charge has done well thus far, winning his two games in charge to stretch Galatasaray's winning run to three games in all competitions ahead of tonight's clash.
DID YOU KNOW? Just to emphasise how poor Gala have been in Europe this season, only one side - BATE Borisov - has conceded more goals that the Turkish outfit so far this season in the Champions League. Furthermore, they have the lowest points tally out of any side throughout each group, with just that one point to their name.
A good omen for the home side...
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Following on from that previous stat, something will have to give this evening because Arsenal have never lost against Turkish opposition in 90 minutes. There was of course that memorable 0-0 draw against tonight's opponents in the UEFA Cup final in 2000 which saw the English side edged out on penalties, but inside 90 minutes the Gunners have played 10, won six and drawn four of their meetings with Turkish opposition.
Earlier this season a Danny Welbeck hat-trick, combined with what is now an obligatory Alexis Sanchez strike, fired Arsenal to a 4-1 victory against Gala. Those two have of course been left behind for the trip to Turkey, meaning that the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Lukas Podolski will have to play their part tonight.
So what of Arsenal's season to date? Well it looked as though a corner had been turned recently following what was their worst ever start to a Premier League campaign, although defeat against Stoke a few days ago has seen hopes crumble once more. The Gunners now sit 13 points off leaders Chelsea in the Premier League while, more importantly right now, they find themselves four points off a top-four spot. With the fixtures coming thick and fast during the festive period, now would be the team to re-find their feet.
Prior to that Potters calamity, which really should have ended 4-0 rather than 3-2, Arsenal had managed to string together four-successive wins in all competitions. They hardly set the world alight in any of those games, three of which were won by a slender scoreline, although it was in this competition last time out that they produced a promising display.
Dortmund failed to replicate their previous European form when they visited the Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago, instead looking more like the faltering Bundesliga outfit that we have become accustomed to in recent months, but credit to Arsenal for getting the job done. Sanogo opened the scoring early on and man of the match Alexis made sure of the points - which essentially makes this one a dead rubbed - shortly after.
It has been a mixed bag throughout Arsenal's qualifying campaign in truth, although two results stand out more than any other - the back-to-back matches against Anderlecht. Having covered both those games, it's fair to say that Arsenal were the victims of their own downfall in both. They trailed against the Belgian opposition away from home until a late, dramatic turnaround, while the less said about the 3-3 draw at the Emirates the better. Tonight, Wenger's charges can see out Group D with a victory to help restore some hope among supporters.
Debuchy makes a welcome return to action this evening...
Well with a little over five minutes to go before kickoff, there is still time to check out what Arsene Wenger has had to say ahead of this one.
"The Turkish are proud people. Galatasaray are the biggest club in Turkey. I have been here before. They will show the quality they have – just like they did when they eliminated Juventus last season. Therefore I expect a tough contest.
"I really do expect Galatasaray to play well. Although they are last-placed in the group, we can never underestimate them. There is no rule saying you will win every game. We are professional and competitive people. Every game is different for us."
PREDICTION: The Turk Telekom Arena does not pose the same intimidation factor as Galatasaray's old Ali Sami Yen Stadium, and that combined with the fact that the Turkish outfit are merely playing for pride, suggests that this is Arsenal's for the taking. They may have selected a weaker team, but this side still boasts seven first-team players essentially, and they should therefore secure a 2-0 victory tonight.
The players are now out on the field, with kickoff just a minute or so away. The aim tonight for Arsenal if to finish top of Group D, but they need results elsewhere to go their way. Updates from Borussia Dortmund's meeting with Anderlecht will be provided throughout the evening.
KICKOFF! We're underway at the Turk Telekom Arena with the home fans in good voice from the off.
GOAL! GALATASARAY 0-1 ARSENAL (PODOLSKI)
Well Arsenal games have certainly seen a fair share of early goals in recent weeks, and much like two weeks ago against Dortmund, it is the Gunners who have benefited. Ramsey carried the ball in midfield before playing it into the path of Podolski, and despite the tight angle the German international, he hammered the ball into the roof of the net. What a strike. What a start.
I mentioned how Arsenal's forward trio of Sanogo, Campbell and Podolski have a message to send out this evening, and the latter of the three has certainly done that with less than two minutes played. Nobody quite strikes the ball in the same manner as the German forward, as Bolat has just discovered.
CHANCE! Hakan Balta has just squandered a huge opportunity. A shot from range ricochet into the path of the centre-forward, who couldn't quite direct his shot on goal.
SHOT! Sneijder tests Szczesny for the first time with an ambitious strike, but the Arsenal keeper is equal to it to deny the Dutchman. Good response from the hosts.
GOAL! GALATASARAY 0-2 ARSENAL (RAMSEY)
A fine individual goal from Ramsey, who just seemed to pass the ball beyond Bolat into the bottom corner of the net following some neat link-up play between Oxlade-Chamberlain and Podolski. That's two in two for him now, while he has bagged five in his last six against Turkish sides. There was no real celebration from the Welshman, however, instead running back to the halfway line knowing that four more goals with see the Gunners through should Dortmund draw this evening.
YELLOW CARD! We've seen plenty of challenges early on - mainly from Arsenal, it must be said - and Flamini is punished for his challenge on Bruma with the game's first booking.
The game has just about managed to settle down a little, but it still hasn't taken any shape. Galatasaray are dominating the shot count, without really troubling Sczcesny, while Arsenal have taken both of their chances on the break to take control.
OFF THE BAR! Podolski is really up for this one. Oxlade-Chamberlain is again involved in the build-up, back-heeling the ball into his teammate's path, and the German unleashes a strike from inside the area which crashes back off the frame of the goal.
GROUP D - AS IT STANDS:
BORUSSIA DORTMUND 13 PTS
ARSENAL 13 PTS
--------------------------------------------------
ANDERLECHT 6 PTS
GALATASARAY 1 PT
So as it stands, Arsenal and Dortmund are locked on points at the top of the standings, although the German outfit have a slightly better goal difference. On the field, meanwhile, Arsenal are continuing to look strong, particularly down the flanks. Bellerin is getting forward, while Sango has just had a shot blocked.
CHANCE! Podolski wins the ball brilliantly in midfield before playing in Ramsey on the edge of the box. The Welshman is spoilt for choice with Gala looking completely unsettled at the back, but instead of striking from range he plays in Campbell on the right, with the forward's shot being blocked away.
GOAL! GALATASARAY 0-3 ARSENAL (RAMSEY)
We have just witnessed a strong contender for goal of the season from Ramsey, who struck the ball into the top corner on the volley from all of 25 yards out. The Gunners have dominated this one from the off, with Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski and Ramsey in particular taking control of proceedings, and in truth a three-goal lead is probably what they deserve.
Hakan Balta could only head Campbell's corner as far as Ramsey, and he fired home his third goal in two games. Moments before that Bolat had to keep out another Podolski effort, although there was one moment of concern for the Gunners when Oxlade-Chamberlain went to ground. He seems fine, though, and Arsenal are flying with just a little over 30 minutes played in Turkey.
YELLOW CARD! Felipe Melo is the first home player to enter referee David Fernandez Barbalon's book following a late challenge on Campbell.
It really has been all one-sided so far, and remember as things stand three more goals from Arsenal will secure top spot. That has to be the aim right now with Dortmund locked at 0-0 against Anderlecht.
Oxlade-Chamberlain looks full of confidence right now, as too does Ramsey who is no doubt buoyed by the applause he received from home supporters following his goal a few minutes ago.
Sneijder gets to the ball ahead of Szczesny but can only head over the bar from close range. It was a difficult chance which came shortly after Yilmaz fired a free kick wide of the target. Better from the home side, but far more is needed if they are to take any pride away from this one.
SAVE! It could have been a fourth Arsenal goal with half time still five minutes away. Ramsey thread the ball through to the striker, who couldn't quite beat Bolat from a tight angle. Podolski was in a similar situation on the opposite side inside the opening couple of minutes when he fired home, but there was to be no such luck for Campbell.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey really have been spectacular in these opening 45 minutes, cutting through the opposition with ease. The Welshman has just created another chance with an audacious outside-of-the-boot cross, which Chambers headed wide.
YELLOW CARD! Tarik Camdal halts the run of Campbell to earn himself a caution. Half time is desperately needed for the home side right now.
Arsenal are being afforded so much space right across the field, particularly on the left where Bellerin is continuing to push forward.
HALF TIME: GALATASARAY 0-3 ARSENAL
Well what a difference a few days can make. On Saturday the Gunners were trailing Stoke 3-0 at the interval, this evening it is they who are in complete control. The three-goal cushion is well deserved, too, because right from the off Arsenal have looked sublime.
Two-goal Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have stood out in the first half in particular, while Lukas Podolski has also shown what he can offer on his return back to the starting lineup. In truth, Galatasaray have been poor, although nothing should be taken away from the dominant Gunners.
Having seen Ramsey's second goal back once more, I reiterate what I said at the time - that is a real contender for goal of the season in the Champions League, and in my opinion the best we have seen so far in the competition. An exceptional strike which was struck with real conviction into the top corner.
Everyone loves a good heatmap...
It will be interesting to see if Galatasaray change things up at half time, because they looked poor in the opening 45 minutes. They may not have anything to play for, but you still expect a performance at this level no matter what the circumstances. As far a the visitors are concerned, Oxlade-Chamberlain went down in the first half, although he should be fine to continue following the restart.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Play has resumed at the Turk Telekom Arena, and there's news of four changes to bring you from half time. Hamit Altintop and Yasin Oztekin have been introduced for the hosts, while Arsenal have turned to youngsters Maitland-Niles and Zelalem. That means that Flamini and Ramsey have made way.
I'm a little surprised by that from Wenger, because three more goals and his side would top the group as things stand - do not underestimate just how important that is. Ramsey was on fire in the first half, and he probably could have bagged another couple of goals himself on that form, but this game now has a slightly different feel to it.
Oztekin tries his luck from range, although he is unable to force Szczesny into action. A slower tempo to the opening stages of this second half.
It's a case of Arsenal knocking the ball around now, as they get into their passive groove. This experience is of course invaluable for the youngsters who were introduced at the break, but the Gunners' momentum in an attacking sense has been completely lost over half time.
SHOT! Sneijder has had a few attempts at goal this evening, but this was his best effort yet. A great first touch allowed him to curl a shot towards the bottom corner from range, although the ball had just a little too much bend on it which took it wide.
Reports suggest that Ramsey was complaining of a tight hamstring at half time, which explains his withdrawal, while there was a concern over Flamini who had already been booked.
YELLOW CARD! A great turn of pace from Oxlade-Chamberlain leads to Semih Kaya dragging him down. Referee David Fernandez Borolon is left with no choice by the show the Galatasaray man a yellow card.
UPDATE: BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1-0 ANDERLECHT. Ciro Immobile has put the Bundesliga side ahead, meaning that all Arsenal's hard work this evening has essentially been for nothing on a pure results front. The Gunners will head into the Round of 16 as one of the eight runners-up.
We've now past the hour mark in Turkey and in truth there's not been a great deal to report in this second half. Galatasaray looking better now, but hardly doing enough to challenge Arsenal. Their latest attempt on goal did manage to force Szczesny into making a save down low, however, with Oztekin getting a weak shot away.
Galatasray fans are in fine voice now, showing that regardless of the result they will back their side. They don't have an awful lot to keep them entertained on the field at the moment.
YELLOW CARD! Debuchy is starting to show signs of fatigue now, pulling back Snijder who got away from him. Podolski was also seemingly shown a booking, presumably for something said to the referee.
CLOSE! Gala have responded to their supporters' backing, and they should have had a goal to show for their efforts. Bulut's close-range effort was heading into the back of the net if not for Mertesacker, who threw his body in front of the ball.
Sneijder seems determined to score as he unleashes another shot away at goal. Arsenal having to show a different side of their game this half as they soak up some pressure. The outcome of the group has essentially been decided now bar a miracle at the Westfelanstadion, so it is just a case of the North London outfit seeing this one out.
The biggest positive tonight as far as Arsenal are concerned...
Altintop gets in his side's 14th unsuccessful shot on goal as we enter the final 15 minutes at the Turk Telekom Arena. All the pressure is coming from the hosts, but Arsenal don't particularly look as though they are going to concede.
DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION! Both sides opt to throw on their final subs of the evening; Stefan O'Connor for Arsenal, Olcan Adin for Galatasaray. Unsurprisingly, Debuchy is the man to be replaced for the visitors.
Arsenal get into a real mess at the back with O'Connor and Maitland-Niles failing to clear away. They are letting far too many crosses come into the box from out on the left at the moment, in large down to the fact that Campbell is not fully committing to his defensive duties.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has remained his side's biggest threat in this second half, and he does brilliantly on the right to work some space and swing an inviting cross into the box, which is not met by any of his teammates.
Telles has essentially been playing as a left-sided forward this half because he has been shoved right up top. Arsenal don't look too concerned about extending their lead, allowing Gala to continue pressing. They are seven minutes away from picking up a clean sheet.
UPDATE: BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1-1 ANDERLECHT. A glimmer of hope for the Gunners as far as top spot in Group D goes. Mitrovic has levelled things up in Germany, meaning that another three Arsenal goals, or more realistically a second from Anderlecht, will see Wenger's men climb to the top.
SAVE! Szczesny does well to palm away Sneijder's free kick, although he would have been disappointed to have conceded from that range. It's been a fairly poor second half in Turkey, which is minutes away from drawing to a close. Job done for Arsenal.
GOAL! GALATASARAY 1-3 ARSENAL (SNEIJDER)
Not quite the perfect night for Arsenal, then, as Sneijder finally gets his name on the scoresheet. That's the least the Turkish outfit - and their vocal supporters - deserve. The Dutchman missed a free kick from range just a few minutes ago, but he didn't need a second invitation, lofting the ball over the Gunners' six-man wall and into the back of the net.
Two minutes have been added on at the Turk Telekom Arena, although this one has been over as a contest since the 11th minute.
GOAL! GALATASARAY 1-4 ARSENAL (PODOLSKI)
His first effort may have been a bullet into the roof of the net, but this was a clam and composed finish from Podolski to wrap up a 4-1 victory for Arsenal with the last kick of the game.
FULL TIME: GALATASARAY 1-4 ARSENAL
So just like in September, Arsenal see off Galatasaray 4-1. It was a simple night for the Gunners in the end, having wrapped up the game early on thanks to three goals inside the opening 30 minutes.
Despite their efforts this evening, Arsenal have finished second in Group D which means that they will face one of the group winners from elsewhere in the next round. Nonetheless, this will provide a welcome return to winning ways following defeat last time out.
Well that's all from me this evening, but stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you player ratings, analysis and a full match report from events at the Turk Telekom Arena.
