Football: Arsenal set for Turkish test against Besiktas in Champions League play-offs

Arsenal players celebrate with Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey (ground-obscured) after he scored the third and winning goal during the English FA Cup final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembly Stadium in London on May 17, 2014. Arsenal fa
Arsenal players celebrate with Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey (ground-obscured) after he scored the third and winning goal during the English FA Cup final match between Arsenal and Hull City at Wembly Stadium in London on May 17, 2014. Arsenal face Turkish side Besiktas and reprieved Celtic meet Slovenian title-holders Maribor in the Champions League play-offs later this month. -- PHOTO: AFP

NYON, Switzerland (AFP) - Arsenal face Turkish side Besiktas and reprieved Celtic meet Slovenian title-holders Maribor in the Champions League play-offs later this month.

There was drama minutes before Friday's draw in Nyon when Polish club Legia Warsaw, who had dished out a 6-1 third qualifying mauling to Celtic, were ruled out.

Legia were demoted to the Europa League play-offs for fielding an ineligible player.

Arsenal, meanwhile, must overcome Besiktas to seal their 17th consecutive appearance in the Champions League group stages.

Last season the Gunners saw off another Turkish club, Fenerbahce, to go on to make it into the last 16 where Arsene Wenger's side, finalists in 2006, came a cropper against Bayern Munich.

In other match-ups, Lille take on 2004 winners FC Porto, Napoli come up against Athletic Bilbao and Bayer Leverkusen play FC Copenhagen.

The first leg ties are scheduled for Aug 19/20, with the second leg matches on Aug 26/27.

The ten winners will join the 22 teams automatically qualified for the group stage, which gets underway in September.

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