Goals in either half by the Welshman, including a well taken placed volley from a Gibbs cross, showed levels of confidence in the midfielder, as he followed on from his display against Fulham.
The 5-0 aggregate scoreline ensures Arsenal have qualified for the Champions League for the sixteenth time under Wenger's reign, making it twelve wins out twelve via the qualifier play-offs.
The draw for the group stage will take place in Monaco tomorrow (Thursday) at 5:45pm local time (4:45pm GMT).
After the match, Wenger refused to discuss new signings but is aware playing in the Champions League is a defining factor in players decisions to join new clubs. But it is whether players believe they can win trophies, and not just simply participate with Europe's top teams, that will make them join a new club.
Arsenal remain linked with Angel Di Maria but Galatasary are being reported by Turkish media that a transfer fee for the winger has been agreed, and so Wenger will have to react quickly if he wants to make signatures, with only five days left before the window slams shut. The media have also linked Arsenal to Mesut Ozil who didn't appear happy with being substituted in Madrid's last match, but then that isn't a great reason to simply want a move. A world-class signing he would be nonetheless.
Furthermore, Juan Mata's father was in the stands last night against Fenerbache. The Chelsea midfielder is another reported unsettled player who may not feature in Jose Mourinho's plans at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal were interested in his signature in the summer Chelsea signed him, with Wenger refusing to offer a few more million pounds for him. Transfer talk is fun, so it will be interesting to see what, if anything, materialises over the coming days.
As for now, Arsenal look ahead to Sunday's clash in the North London derby against Tottenham who have won both of their Premier League games so far. Arsenal go into the match with three successive wins in their League and Play-off ties which makes for a great meeting. However, the inform Ramsey left the pitch slightly early last night, while Podolski appears to have pulled a hamstring and could be out for three weeks Wenger confirmed. Wilshere played all of the 90 minutes last night despite taking a knock to his ankle late on, and Wenger has already said he doesn't want to over-use the young English midfielder.
Arsenal v Spurs kicks off at 4pm (GMT) at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday September 1.
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Ramsey celebrates with Sanogo, after scoring his second goal in last night's match against Fenerbache (5-0 agg) |
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