Celtic 0 - 2 Arsenal
Celtic defender Gary Caldwell's own goal effectively settled the tie
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Tuesday, 18, Aug 2009 10:45
Arsenal beat Celtic 2 - 0 at Celtic Park on a night when nothing went right for Tony Mowbray's side, writes inthenews.co.uk's Matt Hallam.
Arsene Wenger's side scored two fortuitous away goals to leave Celtic with everything to do in order to qualify for the Champions League group stages.
The Gunner's opened the scoring two minutes before half-time when Cesc Fabregas' free kick deflected into the goal off William Gallas' back.
And Celtic's bad luck continued when captain Gary Caldwell but the ball into his own net after a fast, low cross from Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy.
Arsenal named the same team that beat Everton at the weekend whilst Celtic began the game with Scott McDonald on the bench, with Mowbray choosing Georgios Samaras in a lone striking role with support from Aiden McGeady and Shaun Maloney from the wings.
The Celtic manager's choice seemed to pay off as his team began well with some confident passing allowing Shaun Maloney to deliver two dangerous crosses from the left, however neither Samaras nor Scott Brown could get near them.
Celtic soon forced a corner but Caldwell could only head over as he stretched to reach the ball at the back post.
Arsenal began to find their rhythm soon after as neat inter-play from Fabregas, Arshavin and Bendtner set up Robin Van Persie for a strike on goal from the left of Celtic's penalty area. The Dutchman's shot was deflected and Arshavin poked the ball into the net, but was well offside.
The Gunners continued to probe and soon won a free kick on the edge of the box. However it was Celtic who threatened from the set piece as they counter attacked, with only a last ditch tackle from Thomas Vermaelan preventing Scott Brown from a clear shot at goal from McGeady's cross.
As the half hour approached, Arsenal began to up their tempo.
Celtic struggled to find their loan striker Samaras as Arsene Wenger's team pressed the home team's possession.
Arsenal's first meaningful shot on target came courtesy of Arshavin. The Russian slipped passed Massimo Donatti and drove at the Celtic defence, however his shot was straight at keeper Artur Boruc.
Arsenal made the breakthrough just two minutes later though, through a fortuitous deflection from a Fabregas free kick.
The Arsenal captain's shot hit William Gallas on the back as he ran across Boruc's line of sight and flew past the helpless goalkeeper.
Celtic began the second half slowly with Van Persie and Denilson both firing past the post.
The home team struggled to find and a rhythm and made a double substitution after 10 minutes, introducing Marc Antoinne Fortune and Scott McDonald for Donati and Samaras.
Arsenal continued their slick passing display with Bendtner and Van Persie finding space in front of the Celtic defence but failing to hit the target with long range efforts.
Celtic's substitutes allowed them a bigger share of possession as the half wore on and when Fortune was played through by N'Gueno only a Gallas interception prevented what would have been a simple finish for Brown.
With 20 minutes remaining Arsenal introduced Abou Diaby and the substitute made an immediate impact.
The midfielder played an inch perfect pass for Gael Clichy to run onto and fizz a powerful cross across goal which Caldwell could only turn into his own net.
Mowbray introduced Pat McCourt for N'Guemo as Celtic attempted to find a way back into the game but the home team's spirit seemed to have been dented, especially by the nature of Arsenal's second goal.
The visiting team proceeded to dictate play in the final 15 minutes with quick and incisive passing.
The Hoops looked tired and failed to create an opening that would have enabled them to take anything into the second leg of the tie at Highbury next week.
Teams:
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, Fox, Donati (Fortune), N'Guemo (McCourt), McGeady, Brown, Maloney, Samaras (McDonald). Subs: Zaluska, Naylor, McDonald, Fortune, Flood, McCourt, O'Dea.
Arsenal: Almunia, Clichy, Gallas, Vermaelan, Sagna, Denilson, Song, Fabregas, Arshavin (Diaby), Bendtner, Van Persie. Subs: Mannone, Diaby, Eduardo, Ramsey, Silvestre, Eboue, Gibbs.