Just as the pressure on Arsene Wenger was easing, Lukas Podolski dumped him right back in the transfer market.

Podolski, who seemingly had turned a corner (forgive the pun) with his masterful display in the Premier League against Fulham, will now be out for three weeks at least.

That leaves Wenger a strike short and reinforces the need for him to sign on at least one more top-class goal-getter.

Unless, of course, he looks at Aaron Ramsey and considers that he has the ‘new Cesc Fabregas’ on his hands.

Arsenal will play in the Champions League for a 16th consecutive season, thanks in no small part to Ramsey.

With a 3-0 lead over Fenerbahce from the first leg, Ramsey netted twice to ensure Arsenal comfortably won the playoff 5-0 on aggregate.

"At the top level, the most difficult thing is to be consistent and of course it's an achievement," to qualify again, manager Arsene Wenger said, "but our ambition is much higher than that."

In London, Fenerbahce gifted Arsenal the lead after 25 minutes, with Ramsey providing the finish from close range.

The Wales midfielder, who scored in Istanbul last week, volleyed in another in the 72nd after being set up by Kieran Gibbs.

"He gets to the end of things now," Wenger said of the Welsh midfielder. "I liked especially his second goal. It's a good finish. A year ago he wouldn't have taken that chance the way he took it tonight.

"He's improving from week to week. That's very positive because a year ago, many people were questioning Aaron Ramsey."

However, the cost of this win is that early in the second half when Podolski was carried off on a stretcher with a left hamstring injury.
"We paid a heavy price on the injury front," Wenger said.

Ramsey and Jack Wilshere also sustained knocks.

"We have to see how bad the injuries are," said Wenger, whose side tackle derby rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

"I cannot tell you more than that we are on the market. Everybody knows, the whole world knows that now."

What's the Mata?

Juan Mata is the latest name being touted at the Emirates.

Wenger has expressed admiration for Juan Mata, but he was reluctant to reveal the extent of the club's interest in the Chelsea midfielder.
Mata's father and agent, also called Juan, was reportedly in attendance at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, when Arsenal beat Fenerbahce 2-0 to complete a 5-0 aggregate win in their Champions League play-off tie.

Mata was an unused substitute in Chelsea's 0-0 draw at Manchester United on Monday, sparking media speculation about his status at Stamford Bridge, and Wenger admitted he was a fan of the Spain international.

"I've heard like you, because I watched the game last night (Monday), that Juan Mata could be on the market," Wenger told journalists.
"I don't know. There is always a reluctance in England to sell to each other. Yes, I like him."

However, when asked if Mata's father had attended the game against Fenerbahce as a guest of the club, Wenger replied in enigmatic fashion, saying: "No. I don't know. Maybe."

Roo who!

He was even less willing to discuss a possible bid for United striker Wayne Rooney, with whom Arsenal were linked earlier in the transfer window.
"We cannot speak about players who are under contract with other clubs," Wenger said.

"Because when a player is under contract in another club, he has to respect the contract. So if you want to buy the player, you have to speak to the club first."

Many of Arsenal's fans are desperate for Wenger to invest in new players, after mooted moves for Rooney, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and new Napoli signing Gonzalo Higuain failed to materialise.