Arsenal squad show their fighting spirit during training ahead of Champions League qualifier against Besiktas

  • Arsenal squad train ahead of Champions League qualifier against Besiktas
  • Gunners players show their fighting spirit with training ground wrestle
  • Arsene Wenger's side will travel to Turkey on Monday evening
  • Arsenal boss admits his side are 'desperate' to qualify for Europe's elite competition   

The Arsenal squad seemed to be in high spirits during training on Monday morning as they prepare for their Champions League qualifying clash against Besiktas on Tuesday.

Several of the Arsenal stars started play-fighting and Jack Wilshere seemed to bear the brunt as he was wrestled by team-mates including Olivier Giroud and Calum Chambers.

Arsene Wenger will hold a press conference on Monday afternoon after the squad travel to Turkey for the first leg in Istanbul.


VIDEO Scroll down to watch Aaron Ramsey having his ears flicked... a lot!

Up for it: The Arsenal squad play-fight during training ahead of the Champions League qualifier against Besiktas

Up for it: The Arsenal squad play-fight during training ahead of the Champions League qualifier against Besiktas

All smiles: The Arsenal players seemed to be in a relaxed mood at their London Colney training base

All smiles: The Arsenal players seemed to be in a relaxed mood at their London Colney training base

Time to listen: Arsene Wenger (centre) talks to his players during the training session

Time to listen: Arsene Wenger (centre) talks to his players during the training session

On their way: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (left) posted this 'selfie' with Arsenal new boy Calum Chambers

On their way: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (left) posted this 'selfie' with Arsenal new boy Calum Chambers

Ahead of the game, Wenger admitted that Arsenal are 'desperate' to qualify for the lucrative group stages of the Champions League - and challenged his side to beat Besiktas 'no matter what it costs'.

The Gunners will fly to Turkey on the back of a dramatic stoppage-time 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on the first day of the new Barclays Premier League season.

There is, however, little opportunity for Wenger's squad to regroup before focus turns to extending the record of reaching Europe's elite club competition for each of the last 16 campaigns. 

In charge: Wenger (above) will be hoping his side can defeat Besiktas on Tuesday

In charge: Wenger (above) will be hoping his side can defeat Besiktas on Tuesday

Preparation: Mathieu Flamini (right) leads the way as Laurent Koscielny looks on

Preparation: Mathieu Flamini (right) leads the way as Laurent Koscielny looks on

In action: Gunners captain Mikel Arteta (left) and Aaron Ramsey are put through their paces
In action: Gunners captain Mikel Arteta (left) and Aaron Ramsey are put through their paces

In action: Gunners captain Mikel Arteta (left) and Aaron Ramsey are put through their paces

Qualification would bring with it some €8.6 million (£7million) in prize money, with each subsequent group home match worth around £3m of additional matchday revenue.

Wenger knows all too well what is on the line against Slaven Bilic's side, who defeated Feyenoord 5-2 on aggregate in the third round of qualifying thanks to former Chelsea striker Demba Ba's hat-trick in the second leg.

Relaxed: Jack Wilshere (right) breaks into a smile as he goes through some running drills with his team-mates

Relaxed: Jack Wilshere (right) breaks into a smile as he goes through some running drills with his team-mates

Happy: Arsenal new signing gives a thumbs up to the camera as he heads out onto the training pitches

Happy: Arsenal new signing gives a thumbs up to the camera as he heads out onto the training pitches

Tricks: Wilshere (right) skips past Oxlade-Chamberlain during the Monday morning session

Tricks: Wilshere (right) skips past Oxlade-Chamberlain during the Monday morning session

Speed: Sanchez puts his pace to the test as he prepares for his European debut with Arsenal

Speed: Sanchez puts his pace to the test as he prepares for his European debut with Arsenal

'We are desperate to do it because we want to play in the Champions League and we know how big these games are,' said Wenger.

'We are desperate to go through. No matter what it costs we want to go through.

'We always have a difficult draw, we had Fenerbahce last year, this time we have Besiktas, so it is difficult.'

Incentive: Qualification would bring with it some 8.6 million euros (£7million) in prize money for Arsenal
Incentive: Qualification would bring with it some 8.6 million euros (£7million) in prize money for Arsenal

Incentive: Qualification would bring with it some €8.6million (£7million) in prize money for Arsenal

On the move: Tomas Rosicky and his Arsenal team-mates will fly to Istanbul on Monday evening

On the move: Tomas Rosicky and his Arsenal team-mates will fly to Istanbul on Monday evening

Off: Wojciech Szczesny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chambers and Wilshere before the flight to Turkey

Off: Wojciech Szczesny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chambers and Wilshere before the flight to Turkey

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