Sleep well, Arsene? Gunners targeted as Fenerbahce fans light fireworks and flares outside team hotel on eve of Euro qualifier
By PHIL DUNCAN
PUBLISHED: 09:28 GMT, 21 August 2013 | UPDATED: 10:32 GMT, 21 August 2013
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would have urged his squad to get a good night's rest ahead of their crunch Champions League tie against Fenerbahce on Wednesday – but it seems supporters of the Turkish giants had other ideas.
Arsenal's team hotel came under fire on Tuesday evening as Fenerbahce supporters lit flares and fireworks on the eve of their first-leg qualifier.
The Turkish supporters, who are notorious for creating an intimidating atmosphere for travelling sides, lived up to their reputation as they chanted a number of songs outside the hotel where Wenger and his under-fire squad were supposed to be resting.
Scroll down to see video of Fenerbahce fans lighting flares outside Arsenal's hotel
Under fire: The Arsenal team hotel was targeted by Fenerbahce supporters on Tuesday night
Under siege: The view from Jack Wilshere's room
Jack Wilshere revealed the extent of the disturbance by the raucous Fenerbahce fans tweeting on Wednesday morning: 'Getting ready for tonight! Had some visitors outside our hotel last night! Atmosphere tonight will be amazing!'
The Arsenal midfielder then posted a picture from his hotel room showing just how close the Turkish support got to Wenger's travelling team.
Arsenal arrive in Istanbul as a team under intense pressure following their 3-1 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa on Saturday.
Wenger's transfer policy is also the subject of much controversy with Arsenal yet to spend any money this summer.
And the constant scrutiny of his summer spending, or lack of it, is clearly wearing thin and he snapped at the idea that close rivals, particularly Tottenham, were recruiting well in Tuesday's pre-match press conference.
‘Honestly,’ said Wenger in exasperation before he stressed his 16 years of Champions League football and north London superiority. ‘I’ve heard that for 16 years now.
Message: The Arsenal boss has been urged to invest in new players this summer
‘What is important in football is to see a good football game,’ said Wenger. ‘All that other stuff is good for the newspapers but it is not real football. What is real football is the quality of the game.
‘I would just like to reiterate to you that, in the last 16 years, we have been very successful with transfers, and if you look at the players who play, they are top quality. You should never forget that.’
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