Match Pictures | Matches: 2009 – 2010 | 2009-2010 Pictures |
Trivia
- 1st leg of two to qualify for Champs League group stages.
- The Undertones played for the fans before kick off.
- U2 concert in Glasgow on the same night
- Celtic's first loss to English opposition in a competitive game since 1983 (but how English are Arsenal?).
- Major Banner: "Decommission the Gunners".
Review
Arsenal came saw and controlled the match at Celtic Park. Many thought that after a difficult season last that Celtic may have a great opportunity to take a new scalp, albeit still way against the odds. However on the night the 'Arse' were a better side. Nevertheless as their very gracious manager conceded, their goals were very fortunate but he did criticise our physicality (which was a bit hypocritical as Arsenal were very physical in their challenges too). One shot deflected in for a goal off an Arsenal player whilst the other was on own goal deflection (Caldwell seems to be forever cursed in champs lge matches).
In truth the performances from our players were very good, but this was a very refreshed and revatilised Arsenal side and probably the in-form side in Europe at the moment.
Must add the Arsenal away fans out sang us and in honesty it was a disappointing show from the Celtic support relative to other nights. Maybe too many of us were already resigned to defeat before the game had even kicked off.
Also difficult that the referee was seeming to over favour Arsenal. The got away far more than they should have with various decisions.
Anyhow, our first competitive defeat to an English side since 1983 (although how English are Arsenal now?). Just wish we were still in with a good chance for the second leg, but likely our fate is now sealed and we are to enter the Europa League for the first time.
Teams
Celtic (4-5-1)
- 01Boruc
- 02Hinkel
- 05Caldwell
- 11Fox, yellow card
- 22Loovens, yellow card
- 06N'Guemo, yellow card (McCourt 76)
- 08Brown
- 18Donati (McDonald 56)
- 46McGeady
- 09Samaras (Fortune 56)
- 13Maloney
Substitutes
Arsenal
- 01Almunia
- 03Sagna
- 10Gallas
- 22Clichy, yellow card
- 04Fabregas
- 05Vermaelen
- 15Denilson
- 17Song Billong
- 23Arshavin (Diaby 69)
- 11Van Persie
- 52Bendtner
Substitutes
Goals
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Articles
Gunners in control as Bhoys gift goals
Provided by: The Irish Examiner
Mowbray eyes early goal in London
BBC
Manager Tony Mowbray refused to admit Celtic's Champions League dream is over despite a qualifier defeat by Arsenal in Glasgow.
A William Gallas deflected goal and a Gary Caldwell own-goal means Celtic must overturn a 2-0 deficit in London.
"It's a big ask for us now but I think the secret is to go down there and try to score the first goal," said Mowbray.
"That would make them very nervous and edgy, but if they score first we aren't going to score four at the Emirates."
Celtic went into the game as underdogs against their English Premier League opponents.
But they matched Arsenal until minutes before half-time, when Cesc Fabregas's free-kick took a wicked deflection off Gallas on its way into the net.
Arsene Wenger's side upped the ante in the second 45, but again Celtic were undone by a stroke of misfortune when their captain Caldwell poked Gael Clichy's low cross past his own goalkeeper.
"Both goals were very difficult to take," said Mowbray.
"Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world and yet I can't remember them having a shot on goal in the first half.
"Then they get a free-kick 30 yards out, it hits Gallas on the back as he's trying to get out the way and goes in the bottom corner.
"If they have a 15-pass move and score you think 'wow'.
"They never did that, and didn't look like doing that to be fair. But we then again we didn't either."
Despite the manner in which his team were undone by the Gunners, Mowbray had mixed emotions about his players' performances.
"The bottom line is that on the night was we weren't good enough on the ball.
"I think they worked extremely hard to try and deny Arsenal opportunities – and I think they did that really well.
"Ultimately our passing to the forwards wasn't good enough from the back or the midfield."
Mowbray surprised many by employing Aiden McGeady as a forward along with Georgios Samaras, with his regular partnership of Scott McDonald and Marco-Antoine Fortune relegated to the bench.
And he singled out the Republic of Ireland international for praise.
"Aiden was up front because he can hold onto the ball," he said
"He was the one player on our side who showed he has genuine top quality that could match their quality players.
"And you've got to have people up front who can do that against these teams, because if you're constantly giving it back to them you see what they can do."
Celtic defender Danny Fox expressed disappointment at conceding two "freak" goals in the defeat.
"Arsenal had a lot of the play but we didn't play anywhere near as good as we can do as a football team," he added.
"We snuffed them out for the majority of the first half and conceding the deflected free-kick was a bit of a sucker punch to be honest.
"We've got to go down there and be as positive as we can."
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/8205511.stm
Published: 2009/08/19 10:41:04 GMT
© BBC 2011
Celtic 0-2 Arsenal
By Colin Moffat
Arsenal enjoyed the rub of the green as they established a commanding Champions League play-off lead against Celtic.
A Cesc Fabregas free-kick on the stroke of half-time flew into the net off the back of William Gallas as the defender crouched to avoid the ball.
And midway through the second half Celtic skipper Gary Caldwell diverted a Gael Clichy cross into his own net.
The manner of the goals were harsh on the hosts, who faded after an energetic first half and posed little threat.
Celtic worked hard to contain Arsene Wenger's side but it was a largely comfortable evening for the Gunners back four.
And the win ensures they become the first English side in nearly 26 years to beat Celtic on their own ground. The last team to do so was Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal, unchanged from the side that demolished Everton at the weekend, failed to find any passing rhythm early on as Celtic, starting with five across midfield, chased down every cause.
But once the visitors had gone in front the result seldom looked in doubt and Celtic's challenge rather fizzled out.
After a scrappy opening, Andrey Arshavin popped the ball into the net following a rare flowing move on 11 minutes but the Russian forward had strayed offside.
A promising Celtic break was thwarted by Thomas Vermaelen, with the new Gunners defender showing great pace and awareness to get back and force Scott Brown to skew wide after Aiden McGeady had picked out his team-mate rushing into the penalty area.
Robin van Persie was inches away from gathering a lofted pass over the top from Arsenal skipper Fabregas and the scurrying Arshavin had the sting taken out of his shot by defender Glenn Loovens, allowing Artur Boruc to make a simple save.
Celtic continued to press and a drilled effort from Brown was smothered by Manuel Almunia as it skidded through the legs of lone striker Georgios Samaras, who was blocking the Arsenal keeper's field of vision.
Just as a whirlwind first half looked destined to end goalless, the visitors took the lead thanks to a large slice of fortune.
Fabregas rifled in a free-kick from 25 yards and the ball deflected off the back of Gallas and spun into the bottom corner of the net, with Boruc wrong-footed.
With Celtic jittery in defence, Arsenal made a strong start to the second half and Denilson curled a shot narrowly wide before the visitors enjoyed another lucky break.
Shaun Maloney's free-kick into the penalty area was diverted on to the arm of Nicklas Bendtner but referee Massimo Busacca waved play on, much to the anguish of the vociferous home support.
Celtic introduced strikers Scott McDonald and Marc-Antoine Fortune for the final half hour and an important sliding block from Gallas prevented the substitutes from combining in front of goal.
With 20 minutes remaining, Arsenal stretched their lead and again it was unfortunate on the home side as Caldwell's outstretched leg diverted a low Clichy cross beyond Boruc.
It may have been an ugly finish but the sweet passing move involving substitute Abou Diaby and the galloping French full-back put the Celtic captain under pressure, with Bendtner waiting to pounce.
Boruc later made an unorthodox block to keep out a venomous strike from Fabregas as Arsenal found more room to exploit and played out the closing stages comfortably.
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/europe/8204043.stm
Published: 2009/08/18 20:38:36 GMT
© BBC 2011
- Final Result
- Full Time
- 90:00+2:08 The referee blows for the end of the match.
- 90:00+1:07 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Alexandre Song Billong by Gary Caldwell. Francesc Fabregas restarts play with the free kick.
- 85:34 Free kick taken by Francesc Fabregas.
- 85:34 Booking Glenn Loovens shown a yellow card.
- 85:26 Glenn Loovens challenges Neves Denilson unfairly and gives away a free kick.
- 83:57 Shaun Maloney crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance by Thomas Vermaelen.
- 83:57 Booking Gael Clichy receives a yellow card.
- 83:51 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Gael Clichy.
- 80:30 Inswinging corner taken by Francesc Fabregas from the left by-line, save by Artur Boruc.
- 80:14 Francesc Fabregas takes a shot. Save by Artur Boruc.
- 78:59 Bacary Sagna takes a shot. Save made by Artur Boruc.
- 75:22 Substitution Patrick McCourt comes on in place of Landry N'Guemo.
- 70:13 GOAL – Gary CaldwellCeltic 0 – 2 Arsenal Gary Caldwell scores an own goal from 6 yards. Celtic 0-2 Arsenal.
- 68:47 Substitution Andrey Arshavin goes off and Vassiriki Diaby comes on.
- 68:18 Robin van Persie is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Artur Boruc restarts play with the free kick.
- 67:22 Foul by Landry N'Guemo on Robin van Persie, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Francesc Fabregas.
- 66:26 Inswinging corner taken by Daniel Fox.
- 64:35 Francesc Fabregas fouled by Glenn Loovens, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by William Gallas.
- 64:01 Unfair challenge on Landry N'Guemo by Robin van Persie results in a free kick. Gary Caldwell takes the direct free kick.
- 63:15 Nicklas Bendtner fouled by Daniel Fox, the ref awards a free kick. Bacary Sagna restarts play with the free kick.
- 61:58 Scott McDonald produces a cross.
- 61:01 Unfair challenge on Neves Denilson by Marc-Antoine Fortune results in a free kick. Manuel Almunia restarts play with the free kick.
- 60:01 Andrey Arshavin takes a inswinging corner to the near post.
- 58:57 Nicklas Bendtner has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left.
- 57:27 Free kick taken by Robin van Persie.
- 57:27 Booking The referee cautions Landry N'Guemo for unsporting behaviour.
- 57:16 Francesc Fabregas fouled by Landry N'Guemo, the ref awards a free kick.
- 55:30 Substitution Scott McDonald replaces Massimo Donati.
- 55:17 Substitution Marc-Antoine Fortune joins the action as a substitute, replacing Georgios Samaras.
- 53:24 Robin van Persie produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the target.
- 51:33 Thomas Vermaelen restarts play with the free kick.
- 51:33 Booking Booking for Daniel Fox for unsporting behaviour.
- 51:25 Daniel Fox challenges Francesc Fabregas unfairly and gives away a free kick.
- 50:30 Foul by Alexandre Song Billong on Shaun Maloney, free kick awarded. Shaun Maloney crosses the ball in from the free kick.
- 47:32 Neves Denilson has an effort at goal from the edge of the area that misses to the right of the target.
- 46:45 The referee blows for offside. Artur Boruc takes the free kick.
- 45:48 Effort from inside the area by Robin van Persie misses to the right of the goal.
- 45:01 The second half kicks off.
- Half Time
- 45:00+1:20 The players leave the pitch at half time.
- 43:00 GOAL – William GallasCeltic 0 – 1 Arsenal William Gallas gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 0-1 Arsenal.
- 41:31 Gary Caldwell concedes a free kick for a foul on Francesc Fabregas. Francesc Fabregas produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.
- 40:51 Scott Brown takes a shot. Save by Manuel Almunia.
- 39:50 Andrey Arshavin takes a shot. Artur Boruc makes a save.
- 36:19 Free kick awarded for a foul by Neves Denilson on Landry N'Guemo. Free kick taken by Landry N'Guemo.
- 35:35 Inswinging corner taken by Daniel Fox from the right by-line, save by Manuel Almunia.
- 34:08 Gary Caldwell challenges Alexandre Song Billong unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Francesc Fabregas.
- 33:44 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on William Gallas by Scott Brown. Free kick taken by Francesc Fabregas.
- 32:17 Foul by Thomas Vermaelen on Landry N'Guemo, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Gary Caldwell.
- 31:34 Unfair challenge on Gael Clichy by Andreas Hinkel results in a free kick. Free kick crossed by Francesc Fabregas, clearance made by Georgios Samaras.
- 29:55 Georgios Samaras is caught offside. Manuel Almunia takes the direct free kick.
- 24:33 Foul by Georgios Samaras on Alexandre Song Billong, free kick awarded. William Gallas restarts play with the free kick.
- 23:17 Handball decision goes against Alexandre Song Billong. Gary Caldwell takes the free kick.
- 18:35 Aiden McGeady sends in a cross, Thomas Vermaelen manages to make a clearance.
- 17:01 Unfair challenge on Robin van Persie by Massimo Donati results in a free kick. Robin van Persie crosses the ball in from the free kick.
- 13:20 Unfair challenge on Massimo Donati by Neves Denilson results in a free kick. Artur Boruc restarts play with the free kick.
- 11:26 Andrey Arshavin is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Artur Boruc.
- 9:42 Corner from the right by-line taken by Daniel Fox, Gary Caldwell has a header from close in and clears the crossbar.
- 1:20 Andrey Arshavin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Scott Brown. Free kick taken by Gary Caldwell.
- 0:16 The assistant referee flags for offside against Aiden McGeady. Thomas Vermaelen takes the direct free kick.
- 0:00 The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.