By the time that their side face Manchester City in a few weeks time for what will be their biggest test of the league season to date, Arsenal supporters will know whether they have a squad capable of a shot at title glory, or one that will leave the club falling short once again.

With the long term absence of Olivier Giroud, confirmed by manager Arsene Wenger following this slender Champions League play-off win over Besiktas, fans will have been hoping for an experienced, high-profile striker will have been signed by the FA Cup winners by Monday night’s transfer deadline.

One senses that this Arsenal squad needs a player of that calibre just to match the teams that will be likely be challenging for the top four positions. 

Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool have all spent heavily. 

Alexis Sanchez, the former Barcelona man and Wenger’s big summer signing thus far, led the line in the absence of Giroud and in truth, acquitted himself well against the Turkish side. However, there were times where a more physical presence, offered by Giroud, was needed.

"Alexis had a good game. He was mobile, dangerous and showed great fighting spirit,” said Wenger. “These are qualities that will be important in the Premier League." 

Giroud’s injury set-back — the French striker will be ruled out until the New Year after picking up an injury against Everton — means that Wenger may need to boost his forward line before Monday’s transfer deadline.

"You'll ask who we'll buy to replace Giroud. At the moment, nobody," said Wenger. 

"Giroud had surgery today for a broken tibia and he will be out for three to four months on the competitive side.

"He'll be out for two months but the time he needs to comes back (is) three to four months. 

Chilean striker Sanchez put his side ahead in additional time at the end of a tough first half against strong opposition.

Despite needing just the one goal to dump the hosts out of the competition, Besiktas rarely threatened, even when Arsenal’s Mathieu Debuchy was sent off on 75 minutes for a second bookable offence.

The goal put Arsenal on the way to qualification for the group stages of the Champions League for the 17th year in succession.

Failure to progress would have been inconceivable. The financial repercussions would mean that the club would lose out on upwards of £25 million in income. 

Instead, Wenger is left weighing up his options in the coming days.