Football
PA Sport 10y

Jack Wilshere won't get complacent

Midfielder Jack Wilshere maintains Arsenal must not take it for granted they will sweep aside the challenge of Besiktas at the Emirates Stadium next week to secure their place in the Champions League group stage.

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The Gunners battled to a 0-0 draw in the playoff first-leg at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, where midfielder Aaron Ramsey was sent off late on for a second yellow card and so will miss the return match back in England next week.

Besiktas manager Slaven Bilic insists his well-organised side are very much still in contention, although it remains to be seen if the former West Ham and Everton defender will be allowed in the dugout having been ordered to the stands late on by Serbian referee Milorad Mazic.

Wilshere knows Arsenal will have to be on their guard to qualify for the group stage for a 17th consecutive European campaign.

"It was a hostile atmosphere, but I think we battled well and showed a different side to our game, especially at the end when we went down to 10 men, it was tough, so we did well,'' Wilshere said. "They worked just as hard as we did last year to get themselves into this position, so they are not going to just turn up and throw all of that hard work away.

"It is not going to be an easy game and we can't take it for granted. They are going to come full of confidence from their performance in the first game and we are going to have to start how they did and take the game to them.

"We always want to be in the Champions League and to attract players who can be in the Champions League. We know how big a game it is, and we will treat it as a cup final.''

Despite the loss of key man Ramsey to suspension the Gunners will be boosted by the return of German World Cup-winning trio Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil, who could all feature for Saturday's trip to Everton.

Wilshere added: "Having won the World Cup can have an impact, but the Germans have got a fantastic mentality anyway. Last year, you saw that -- they are great characters to have in the dressing room.

"We are looking forward to getting them back and it is going to make our squad even stronger.''

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