Arsenal sent club officials to keep tabs on Besiktas star Oguzhan Ozyakup heading into the Istanbul derby between Besiktas and Fenerbahce on Sunday.
Turkish-Football reported that the Gunners were set to send scouts to keep tabs on their former youth star.
Besiktas came from behind to beat their rivals 3-1 at the Vodafone Park stadium in a memorable derby clash.
Ricardo Quaresma was the star of the show scoring a brace including an incredible trivella to put the Black Eagles ahead.
His holiness ?
The lord of the Rabona ?
Ricardo Quaresma puts Beşiktaş ahead in the Derby with this ? pic.twitter.com/ilAiIXcjma— Turkish Football (@Turkish_Futbol1) February 25, 2018
The Portuguese star then went onto wrap up all three points with his sides third and final goal.
The victory put the reigning Super Lig champions back in the title race, taking them into third place just three points behind leaders Galatasaray.
See More: The one Wenger let get away? From Arsenal to Besiktas – The Rise of Oguzhan Ozyakup
Despite the Istanbul giants on-field theatrics, the Arsenal scouts were left rather disappointed.
Ozyakup was set to start heading into the clash.
Anderson Talisca was ruled out with suspension leaving head coach Senol Gunes sort of options.
The Turkey international looked certain to start but picked up a last-minute stomach bug that ruled him out of the clash.