Arsenal in Champions League for 16th year; Schalke, Steaua Bucharest, Basel also win playoffs

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Austria\'s Manuel Ortlechner, third left, and his team mates celebrate after scoring during their Champions League play-off second leg match FK Austria Wien against GNK Dinamo Zagreb in Vienna, Austria, on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Hans Punz)

LONDON – Arsenal will play in the Champions League for a 16th consecutive season, and 10-man Schalke scraped into the group stage along with them on Tuesday.

With a 3-0 lead over Fenerbahce from the first leg, Aaron Ramsey netted twice at the Emirates Stadium to ensure Arsenal comfortably won the playoff 5-0 on aggregate.

It was a nervier night for Schalke, which overcame U.S. midfielder Jermaine Jones being sent off to win 3-2 at PAOK Salonika and advance 4-3.

Steaua Bucharest will be in the group stage draw for the first time in five years after drawing 2-2 at Legia Warsaw to go through on away goals after the first leg finished 1-1.

Basel, already leading Ludogorets Razgrad 4-2, won 2-0 on home soil to cruise into Thursday’s draw.

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