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Besiktas vs Arsenal: Slaven Bilic setting up team to win at the Emirates next week, not 'shop at Harrods'

The tie is finely poised at 0-0 from the first leg

Jack Pitt-Brooke
Wednesday 20 August 2014 12:41 BST
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Slaven Bilic looks on from the touchline
Slaven Bilic looks on from the touchline (GETTY IMAGES)

Slaven Bilic insisted that Besiktas will come to London to knock Arsenal out, not to be tourists, in next week's second leg at the Emirates.

After last night's 0-0 draw in Istanbul, Besiktas need a score draw or a win next Wednesday to end Arsenal's run of 15 straight years in the Champions League group stage.


Besiktas had the better of the first leg and Bilic was confident of a result. "We're going to London not to go shopping in Harrods, but to try to fulfil some would say our dream. I'd say our task, our plan."

"We are big time alive, though. I'm really optimistic. We're going to their soil, their stadium, in front of their spectators, but we didn't concede. We have to score a goal. If we play like this we are capable of creating chances against any team."


Bilic took even more hope from the fact that Atiba Hutchinson, Besiktas' best player, will be back in the second leg while Aaron Ramsey will be suspended after his late red card.

"We played without our most important player, Hutchinson, who is very likely to be fit for the replay," Bilic said. "On the other hand, they'll be without Ramsey even if they have many great midfield players, but Ramsey is their top man. So, we'll be ready next week."

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