Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker feels the opening exchanges will be crucial in tonight's Champions League qualifier at Fenerbahce.
As ever in Istanbul, the first task will be to silence the crowd as Arsenal did on their last trip to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium for a 5-2 win against Fenerbahce in 2008.
"You have to be aware of the first 20 minutes," said Mertesacker, Arsenal's captain for the night. "You have to keep them as quiet as possible and that's hard. We need to be ready for defending properly. We are not qualified yet."
