Arsenal join Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen in Champions League Last 16
November 27, 2014 -- Updated 0026 GMT (0826 HKT)
Sanchez's strike ensured Arsene Wenger's Arsenal reached the Champions League knockout stages for the 15th straight year.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen all qualify for Last 16 on Wednesday
- Real Madrid maintain 100% record and equal club record winning run
- Ronaldo's 71st Champions League goal moves him joint second on all-time scoring list
- Five-time champions Liverpool held by Bulgarians Ludogorets
(CNN) -- The jury may still be out for many Arsenal fans over the future of coach Arsenal Wenger but few can argue about the Frenchman leading the Londoners to the Champions League knockout stages for a 15th consecutive year.
He achieved his latest qualification after goals from Yaya Sanogo, his first for the club at the 19th attempt, and Alexis Sanchez secured a 2-0 home win over Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund's compatriots Bayer Leverkusen and Spaniards Atletico Madrid also made it through to the Last 16 on Wednesday.
"It's not easy to be consistent so I am very proud of that," Wenger said after the game.
"The club deserves a lot of credit."
The problem in many Arsenal supporters' eyes is that the fine record merely papers over cracks that may well be exposed when the Last 16 kicks off in February.
The Gunners, who have never won the competition but who finished runners-up in 2006, have failed to reach the quarterfinals in each of the last four seasons -- losing to Bayern Munich (twice), Milan and Barcelona.
Compounding this frustration is the fact that the side has seldom impressed in the Premier League, with Wenger last finishing in the top two in 2005.
On Tuesday, he may have been conscious that he was taking on the man often touted as a leading contender to replace him at the Emirates -- Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp.
Victory against a side that had already secured qualification came at a familiar cost though, with both Sanogo and midfielder Mikel Arteta going off with injuries.
Little surprise then that Wenger was hoping for some positives, following a season in which key players like Olivier Giroud, Jack Wilshere and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny have all been forced onto the sidelines.
"From now until February we must improve as a team, get encouragement from this win and hopefully have more players back," Wenger added.
In Group D's other game, Anderlecht won their first match of the campaign when beating ten-man Galatasaray 2-0, with Chancel Mbemba netting both goals.
Having ended Dortmund's 100% record, Arsenal have an outside chance of now finishing top of the group -- providing they win in Galatasaray, and Dortmund trip up at home to Anderlecht -- and so avoiding the heavyweights in the
November 27, 2014 -- Updated 0026 GMT (0826 HKT)
Sanchez's strike ensured Arsene Wenger's Arsenal reached the Champions League knockout stages for the 15th straight year.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen all qualify for Last 16 on Wednesday
- Real Madrid maintain 100% record and equal club record winning run
- Ronaldo's 71st Champions League goal moves him joint second on all-time scoring list
- Five-time champions Liverpool held by Bulgarians Ludogorets
(CNN) -- The jury may still be out for many Arsenal fans over the future of coach Arsenal Wenger but few can argue about the Frenchman leading the Londoners to the Champions League knockout stages for a 15th consecutive year.
He achieved his latest qualification after goals from Yaya Sanogo, his first for the club at the 19th attempt, and Alexis Sanchez secured a 2-0 home win over Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund's compatriots Bayer Leverkusen and Spaniards Atletico Madrid also made it through to the Last 16 on Wednesday.
"It's not easy to be consistent so I am very proud of that," Wenger said after the game.
"The club deserves a lot of credit."
The problem in many Arsenal supporters' eyes is that the fine record merely papers over cracks that may well be exposed when the Last 16 kicks off in February.
The Gunners, who have never won the competition but who finished runners-up in 2006, have failed to reach the quarterfinals in each of the last four seasons -- losing to Bayern Munich (twice), Milan and Barcelona.
Compounding this frustration is the fact that the side has seldom impressed in the Premier League, with Wenger last finishing in the top two in 2005.
On Tuesday, he may have been conscious that he was taking on the man often touted as a leading contender to replace him at the Emirates -- Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp.
Victory against a side that had already secured qualification came at a familiar cost though, with both Sanogo and midfielder Mikel Arteta going off with injuries.
Little surprise then that Wenger was hoping for some positives, following a season in which key players like Olivier Giroud, Jack Wilshere and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny have all been forced onto the sidelines.
"From now until February we must improve as a team, get encouragement from this win and hopefully have more players back," Wenger added.
In Group D's other game, Anderlecht won their first match of the campaign when beating ten-man Galatasaray 2-0, with Chancel Mbemba netting both goals.
Having ended Dortmund's 100% record, Arsenal have an outside chance of now finishing top of the group -- providing they win in Galatasaray, and Dortmund trip up at home to Anderlecht -- and so avoiding the heavyweights in the
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