( CNN ) -- Football clubs spend big money on big players to deliver on the biggest stage . And no doubt Arsenal view the $ 58 million they spent on Alexis Sanchez as a bargain after his heroics secured its passage to yet another European Champions League group stage . Remarkably , a nervy 1-0 victory over Turkish side Besiktas in the two-legged playoff tie means Arsene Wenger 's men will take their place in the draw for the 17th consecutive season . Qualification also brings with it a $ 33 million windfall , meaning Sanchez has already paid off a large chunk of the fee it cost the club to prise him from Spanish giants Barcelona . Now the Gunners will line up alongside the cream of Europe , including European champions Real Madrid and German champions Bayern Munich , in Thursday 's draw . A relieved Wenger told Sky Sports : `` We needed to keep our nerve but we kept our nerve , were united and showed great solidarity . `` We wanted to be there and not go down a division in Europe . We had chances to score more but in two games we kept a clean sheet and it made a difference . '' Asked if it was unthinkable for Arsenal not to qualify Wenger said : `` It is unthinkable until it happens . `` For us it is a weight off our shoulders , we can now focus on the Premier League and wait for the draw . We feel we have done the job and have our conscience clear . '' Wenger also confirmed striker Olivier Giroud would be missing until at least December after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury , and said he would dip into the transfer market if he could find a forward of suitable quality . After a disappointing 0-0 draw in Turkey last week , the first opportunity of the evening fell to Jack Wilshere , but after pouncing on a loose ball when Sanchez was fouled , the England star fired wide of the target . Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba , who wasted several opportunities in the first leg , narrowly failed to poke the ball past Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny as the Turkish side showed they could still pose an offensive threat . And hearts were in mouths at the Emirates when defender Mathieu Debuchy slid in to tackle Mustafa Pektemek and appeared to get only a marginal touch on the ball inside the penalty area . But just as the home fans began to express their agitation , Sanchez found the net . The Chilean scampered into the area as Wilshere swapped passes with German World Cup winner Mesut Ozil , to fire low past Besiktas goalkeeper Tolga Zengin . Sanchez had a chance to double Arsenal 's lead on 51 minutes after more neat approach play from Wilshere , the 22-year-old sliding the ball to his Chilean teammate only to see it stabbed wide of the far post . Ba had another chance to stall the Gunners ' momentum as he turned inside the area , but his shot from a narrow angle could only find the side-netting . Arsenal then wasted two glorious chances to make the tie safe . With Besiktas pushing men forward , Arsenal broke and Sanchez drove into the penalty area before teeing up Cazorla , but the Spaniard 's shot was blocked . Seconds later Nacho Monreal swung in a low cross and though Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sneaked in front of his marker , he could only fire against Tolga from six yards out . A nervy climax was ensured when Debuchy was dismissed for a second bookable offense with 15 minutes left , the defender remonstrating with the referee before trudging off . Ba failed to connect with a late header , and Arsenal were penned in as the Turks desperately sought the goal they needed , but they held on to seal victory . Elsewhere , Spanish side Athletic Bilbao came from behind to eliminate Napoli , from Italy , and take its place in the European Champions League group stages for the first time in 16 years . Germany 's Bayer Leverkusen also progressed after a 7-2 aggregate victory over Danish outfit FC Copenhagen . Ludogorets Razgrad , of Bulgaria , made the group stages for the first time after a fairytale penalty shootout victory over Romania 's Steaua Bucurest . After goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov was sent off in extra time , defender Cosmin Moti donned the gloves as the tie finished 1-1 on aggregate after extra time . Incredibly , Moti took his side 's opening penalty , and scored , before saving two of Steaua 's and sealing a remarkable victory for his side .
Alexis Sanchez seals Arsenal 's progress to European Champions League group stages . It is the 17th consecutive season Arsenal have made the group stages of the competition . Sanchez 's first goal for the club sees off Turkish club Besiktas in their playoff tie . Comment: