PARIS // Arsenal provided the perfect riposte to their critics with a timely and ultimately impressive win at Fenerbahce on Wednesday which left Arsene Wenger's side on the verge of a remarkable 17th straight Champions League campaign.
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 driving seat for next week's return leg at the Emirates, will likely boost the club in their pursuit of their targets before the transfer window closes.
"It was a good performance in a heated atmosphere," a relieved Wenger told Sky Sports.
"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 criticised but we remained switched on. I'm feeling confident at the moment."
"We look very comfortable now for the second leg."
Walcott, looking ahead to the return leg, said: "We can't be complacent and have to be professional to get the job done."
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 were looking to reach the pool stages despite a potential ban looming over them for match fixing that has gone to appeal and will be decided on the eve of the draw.
The only downside on an otherwise excellent night's work was the facial injury to Laurent Koscielny who had to come off.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, there were 1-1 stalemates at the encounters between Steaua Bucharest and Legia Warsaw, and Schalke 04 and PAOK.
Swiss side Basel, beaten by Chelsea in the Europa League semi-finals last season, saw off Ludogorets Razgrad 4-2 while Austria Vienna defeated Dinamo Zagreb 2-0.
Neymar opens account against Atletico
Neymar, the Brazilian forward, came off the bench to head his first competitive goal for Barcelona and rescue a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday.
David Villa struck a superb 12th-minute volley against the club he left in the close season to put Atletico ahead in the two-legged showpiece that pits last term's league champions Barca against the King's Cup winners.
On a sweltering night at the Calderon, Barca struggled to create chances for an equaliser against a typically resolute Atletico defence, with Lionel Messi, the World Player of the Year, unusually anonymous.
The Argentina forward was replaced by Cesc Fabregas at the break as a precaution after picking up a problem in his left thigh muscle before Neymar made a near-immediate impact after coming on for Pedro.
The 21 year old sped in unmarked at the far post and leaped to nod home a cross from compatriot Daniel Alves for a 66th minute leveller.
He had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes and it was his first goal in a competitive match since a high-profile move from Santos.
"If they had told us what his first goal in an official game was going to be we would not have expected a header," Andoni Zubizarreta, the Barca sporting director, said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster TVE.
"Neymar is a player of great quality and we will give him time to adapt," added the former Barca and Spain goalkeeper.
Zubizarreta said Messi's injury appeared to be the result of bruising and the club said on their website he would be having more tests on Thursday.
The return leg of the Super Cup is at Barca's Nou Camp stadium next Wednesday.
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