Arsenal ­survived a hostile atmosphere and a sending-off to leave ­Istanbul with a valuable goalless draw against Besiktas in the first leg of their Champions League play-off.

The Gunners were stretched by Slaven Bilic's well-drilled side, but held out, and but for some poor finishing by Olivier Giroud, could have netted an away goal, with substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain seeing his shot touched onto the post in the closing stages.

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey was dismissed for a second yellow 10 minutes from time. Arsenal, though, will welcome back German World Cup-winning trio Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski for next week's second leg at the Emirates Stadium.

It was, however, almost a nightmare start for the English side. After the ball rolled from kick-off, Demba Ba sent an audacious effort towards the top corner, which Wojciech Szczesny clawed up onto the crossbar.

Besiktas may technically have been playing away, with their Vodafone Arena being redeveloped, but you would not have known it from the ferocity of the Turkish fans.

On nine minutes, a deep cross from Mustafa Pektemek on the right was volleyed back towards goal by Ba, but again Szczesny made a good save.

Arsenal broke down the right through Alexis Sanchez, and his cross was hooked goalwards by Giroud, but blocked inside the six-yard box, and the France striker could not get the rebound in.

On 39 minutes, Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, in space on the edge of the Turks' penalty area, tried to chip Tolga Zengin, who made an acrobatic save.

Besiktas should have scored just before half-time when Ba skipped clear towards the penalty area, but the striker dragged his low shot wide.

Arsenal then could have stolen the lead as a one-two with Wilshere put Giroud free in a central position, but he could not make contact.

Besiktas created another good opening at the start of the second half, as Olcay Sahan cut in from the left but curled his effort wide.

Arsenal were forced into a change on 50 minutes when captain Mikel Arteta looked to have turned his ankle and Mathieu Flamini came on.

Right-back Mathieu Debuchy got behind the Besiktas defence and cut the ball through towards Giroud on the penalty spot, but once more the France striker could not make good contact.

Arsenal were reduced to 10 men after Ramsey collected a second yellow card for pulling back Oguzhan Ozyakup, the former Gunners midfielder, and will now miss the return leg.

Bilic was sent to the stands just before the final whistle.