Arsenal 2-0 Fenerbahce

Ramsey double completes Gunners' stroll into Champions League group stage draw

Welsh midfielder adds to his away-leg goal with two more but injury to Podolski leaves Arsene Wenger's squad even thinner

Arsene Wenger admitted his Arsenal side paid a "heavy price" for qualifying for the Champions League.

Wenger will enjoy the £25million windfall from reaching the competition's group stages for a 16th consecutive year, but it was a bruising victory as they finished with ten men and had Lukas Podolski stretchered off.

Gunners boss Wenger is now under even greater pressure to break the bank before the transfer window shuts on Monday night as two-goal hero Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere both took heavy knocks during the game.

Ramsey even walked off the pitch in the dying stages after suffering a groin injury to leave Arsenal with ten men because Wenger has used all of his substitutes.

The worst injury of the night was to Podolski who could now be out for up to five weeks with a hamstring injury and he joins Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mikel Arteta and Thomas Vermaelen on the treatment table.

It has become a chronic shortage of players through injuries and Wenger's reluctance to sign has left them wondering who will be on the bench for Sunday's North London derby.

Afterwards, Wenger admitted his admiration for Chelsea's out-of-favour Juan Mata.

But you could add a keeper, defender, midfielder, winger and a top class striker to his shopping list and only then would Arsenal have a squad capable of competing for the title this season.

The frustration is that they have a strong spirit within their dressing room and are not far away from being a top team again but it will take investment which so far Wenger has not made and the injury list has only deepened the crisis.

Wenger said: "When you are at the top level the most difficult thing is to be consistent. It's an achievement because if you look at it, only three clubs (Real Madrid, Manchester United and Arsenal) in Europe have ever done it.

"I hear it's not enough and I agree, but we have been remarkably consistent. Our ambition is much higher than that.

"But the negative of the evening, we paid a heavy price on the injury front as we lost Podolski. I don't know how bad Ramsey is, I don't know how Wilshere responds to an ankle problem. We have to check that in the morning.

"The two tackles on Wilshere were disappointing but we cannot change that now. He looks alright but Podolski is definitely out for 21 days. We have to check how severe Ramsey's groin is.

"We have to see how bad the injuries are but I cannot tell you more than that we are on the market. Everybody knows. The whole world knows that now.

"I cannot be more creative than that in the press conferences, because all has been said and nothing has been concluded yet so I can understand your questions but I cannot give your more answers at the moment."

Wenger clearly believes Wilshere and Ramsey will be fit for Sunday but the squad is already stretched to the limit and it was lucky that Fenerbahce were such weak opponents as they shipped five goals over the two games and rarely threatened at the Emirates.

Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny made one outstanding save from Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike in the first half.

Otherwise, the only memorable thing was to see Fenerbahce's players kicking lumps out of Arsenal in the closing stages.

Fenerbahce's former Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles was the worst offender as he scythed down Wilshere while Ramsey also walked off to take a breather after taking similar rough treatment.

Podolski hurt himself as he pulled a hamstring just after the restart and he cut a sorry sight as he had to be stretchered off.

Even by then, Arsenal had the game wrapped up.

Podolski started the move for the 26th minute opener as he prodded the ball through to Theo Walcott who helped it on for Ramsey to sweep home.

Ramsey, in the form of his life and dominating midfield, then grabbed his second after 73 minutes following lovely work by substitute Kieran Gibbs and the Welsh midfielder opened up his body to score with a lovely finish of a top class striker as he guided the ball into the far corner.

Arsenal now go into Thursday afternoon's Champions League draw with that extra £25m windfall, Wenger already has a £70m transfer kitty burning a hole in his pocket and surely now even he will find it impossible not to spend.

Then again, this is Arsene Wenger.