PARIS — Arsenal provided the perfect riposte to its critics with a timely and ultimately impressive win at Fenerbahce Wednesday which left Arsene Wenger's side on the verge of a remarkable 17th straight Champions League campaign. In other matches, Schalke 04 was held 1-1 at home by Greek side PAOK, Egyptian 21-year-old Mohamed Salah scored twice to lead FC Basel to a 4-2 win at Ludogorets Razgad and AustriaVienna, which has never reached the group stage, won 2-0 at 10-man Dinamo Zagreb. Steaua Bucharest, the only former champion in action Wednesday, was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Legia Warsaw. The Gunners turned up in Istanbul under a cloud after last weekend's shock Premier League opening loss to Aston Villa and inactivity in the transfer market. But goals from Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Oliver Giroud lifted the North London side past Fenerbahce in what beleaguered Wenger had described as “a massive” match. The win, which puts Arsenal firmly in the driver's seat for next week's return leg at the Emirates, will likely boost the club in its pursuit of its targets before the transfer window closes. A relieved Wenger told Sky Sports: “It was a good performance in a heated atmosphere. “We controlled the match and after the disappointment of the weekend we're in a strong position now. It was vital to get off on the right foot and that's what we did.” Ramsey added: “It was not the ideal start to the Premier League but we bounced back tonight - we have been criticized but we remained switched on. I'm feeling confident at the moment. We look very comfortable now for the second leg.” The English side, who won 5-2 on a previous visit five years ago, again proved far too strong for a poor Fenerbahce side and, although it had nothing to show for its dominance in the first half, the goals flowed after the break. The breakthrough after a dull opening half arrived in the 51st minute when Ramsey played in Theo Walcott down the right wing and the winger's cross was allowed to reach Gibbs who crashed the ball into the roof of the net. Ramsey scored a fortunate second goal with 24 minutes left when Fenerbahce ‘keeper Volkan Demirel inexplicably allowed a routine shot from outside the box slip under his hands. Giroud then planted a confident penalty in the top left hand corner after Michal Kadlec brought down Walcott on 77 minutes which has virtually put the tie beyond doubt. Fenerbahce was looking to reach the pool stages despite a potential ban looming over it for match fixing that has gone to appeal and will be decided on the eve of the draw. — Agencies
