Celtic Must Not Be Taken Lightly, Forget What Follows
Aug 25th, 2009 by 'holic
The news that Cesc Fabregas would miss the second leg of the Champions League qualifier came as no surprise to anybody. The scoreline at Parkhead last Tuesday, and the imminent appointment at Old Trafford, combined to ensure that the Arsenal skipper will get a chance to rest that dodgy hamstring on Wednesday.
“What is important is tomorrow’s game.” I’m delighted with Arsene’s response to a question about resting other players before Saturday. Let’s put these two games into perspective. If we lose on Saturday, we have thirty-five games left to recover. If we were to surrender our strong position against Celtic, not only would the loss of Champions League cash be an issue, but the psychological effect of such a reverse on the belief of the side could be far-reaching indeed.
Despite the praise for Aaron Ramsey in Wenger’s press conference, it would be a surprise if Abou Diaby did not get the nod to start with Denilson and Alex Song as the midfield trio against the Bhoys. Diaby’s two goals on Saturday will surely be the clincher for him.
The attacking trio will provide Arsene with his biggest teaser. Does he start Eboue on the right to counter Celtic’s threat down the flank, or Bendtner to maybe grab the clincher on the break? Has van Persie done enough to see off the challenge of Eduardo in the middle, or could the Croatian get a start ahead of the slow-starting Arshavin on the left? I’m glad I don’t have to make those calls.
Those decisions pale though when compared to those facing Tony Mowbray. His side needs at least two goals, but opening up too early could be suicidal. The hoops boss faced similar issues in Moscow in the last round, and got everything right. That should be drummed into the Gunners. Give anything less than one hundred percent, and all the good work in Glasgow could be wasted. I’m sure that won’t happen.
The supporters can help. There is no question that the visitors will be vocal from start to finish, and whilst I hope they are as well treated as the travelling Gooners last week, we need to match their enthusiasm and get behind the side. Banter will be flowing. Let’s try and get the better of it for the second week running.
The ‘holic pound has wavered, I don’t mind admitting. I thought long and hard about looking at a low-scoring game, even a goal-less draw. Celtic will probably be looking to keep it tight for the opening half an hour to quieten the crowd and avoid giving away a fatal early goal. At some stage though they will have to come out, and we are in the sort of form to capitalise.
I plumped for a 2-1 home win in the end, and I reckon the 8/1 on offer at Ladbrokes represents good value for those punting in the stadium. I certainly wouldn’t offer anything like that that out of my own pocket.
So, I hope wherever you are watching the game you enjoy it. I must confess to affording myself a view beyond it, and the rumoured loosening of the purse-strings once we have qualified. I trust the manager and his players are very definitely looking no further than Wednesday evening.
21 Responses to “Celtic Must Not Be Taken Lightly, Forget What Follows”
Come on Ze Gooners!!!!!!
I have a feeling we might see a 4-4-2 in this game. Should be another comfortable win. Sadly, none of the betting sites allow bets from people living in the US 🙁
Refreshing to hear an Arsenal fan not resorting to jibes. I take it you actually watched the first leg. Although you were the better team and deserved the win, some of the hyperbole that followed on blogs and the press was well OTT.
I read in the Guardian, for instance, that you “comprehensively outplayed” us. The Mirror went as far as to say we were “embarrassed”.
I thought we put up an OK show, but we can perform much better than the game in Glasgow. Much better.
Although we went to Moscow and won 2-0, going to play a club of Arsenals skill is a different kettle of fish, and the task is more than likely beyond us. Having said that, if we get an early goal…
I don’t think we’ll sit back. We will go at you from the off. McGeady and Maloney will test you on the flanks, that’s for sure, and our full backs will push up the park. We need an early goal. Of course that will leave big huge holes all over the park for you to exploit, and you’d expect Arsenal to take advantage.
I haven’t given up hope, though, and I’m looking forward to what will hopefully be a very good game.
As a Celtic supporter I thought that was a very fair piece. I reckon Arsenal and barcelona are the 2 best football teams if Europe, if not always the most efficient. I’ll be at the Emirates tomorrow but to be honest will be reasonably content if we can give Arsenal a good game and drop into the Europa League with our heads held high. The English press however are really ignorant. I felt the first half last week was very even and the goal changed everything. If Celtic were outclassed what does that say about the likes of Everton and Portsmouth who have lost 10 goals between them to Arsenal?
Welcome Danny. I thought you played very well last week, but most of the Celts I know were very disappointed.
I would think you will pay the penalty if you are attacking from the off. Arsenal counter-attack sides to death when invited on. Look to Anfield ’89 for your inspiration. If it’s 0-0 at half-time you are still in it…
…and thanks Derek.
Obviously I think we were worth the win last week and will go through tomorrow, but you are right. There was nothing between the sides until the first goal, and we did get the rub of the green as well.
Have a good night (but not too good!) tomorrow.
Derek, if you believe the hype from the English media you’d understand that Everton and Portsmouth played really badly and that Arsenal are not so great a side. That is all you need to know about the English press. I think you’ll give us a game and like ‘holic, I think it’ll be tight, but we’ll do enough to protect our lead.
Blase matuidi scheduled medical for thursday, so says a family member,working for arsenal physio team under colin lewin. The right man?
Holic, long time reader first time commenting. must say your blog is very mature, well researched and well written. unlike a lot of the other crap out there. keep it up I will surely add ur column as a favorite. nice posts by danny & derek..hope win all ur games (apart from tomorrow’s ofcourse…:-)
keep it up holic
keep it goonerish……
Holic,
grew up in the days when I thought that Arsenal and Celtic were alike – great fans, proper football ethos.
As the other lhads have said – some of the nonsense on other sites is frightening – one Arsenal site has bigotted (AKA wreckers of Manchester) messages against Celtic.
Every true football supporter (and watch us tomorrow night for a display of away support) admires Arsenal and aspires to their standard. Revel in that rather than stooping to cheap jibes – real supporters are better than that!!
Hail! Hail!
Apologies Davie,
I’m not sure where those messages are, but there are a few rotten apples in every barrel. I have to say most of the Gooner sites I have seen have been rightly respectful.
As you say Arsenal and Celtic share many things, most importantly healthy support and strong history.
Cheers fella.
don’t be surprised at Celtic’s physical approach. I believe most teams recognise this is a tactic they can use to unsettle the gunners ballet style of soccer.So far the signs that the gunners indulge less in in intricate weaving pattern before shooting are obvious.The only area for concern is the defence.
Trphies are won if you have a strong defence.Brazil for all thier attacking were undone by a dodgy defence.The gunners defence conceded a goal in the dying minutes of the game against everton.Yhis is criminal and aginst Celtic could be fatal.I believe Celtic could go for a 2-0 win and force extra time. But if the gunners set their minds to it they could get thru even with a draw providing no one gets injured.Class will prevail because Celtic for all their dominace in Scotland cannot cut it out in Europe.
Glad to see a few Celtic fans here, the game wouldn’t be anything without the supporters, right? This makes for a nice build up in ‘Holics bar.
I’m sincerely hoping we destroy Celtic tonight, but having that said, I’m not sure we will, and I’m sure Celtic will put up a fight. It’s going to be physical again, something we all approve of to a degree, but I’m hoping we can keep malicious tackles away from the pitch (and the streets as well – look at what happened at Upton Park yesterday). That goes for both teams by the way. A few of our players are quite good at doing silly stuff at times as well.
Usually I would wish for a cracking game but this is a very important tie and my nerves couldn’t take it so I’m hoping, with all respect, for a boring, easy win for The Arsenal.
But as I said, I’m not so sure that’s how it’s going to happen.
1st time response, but long time reader & fan of the holic. One of my 2 most favourite arsenal sites i regularly go to from, “down-under”. Great to see celtic supporters on here too, and no immaturity from either side. 3-1 to the gunners i think at the emirites after a very open 2nd half, but very tight at the break. Loving the 4-3-3 formation this season so far, so will be interesting what they go for protecting a lead but at home. I hope Diaby puts in a great consecutive game. Tough call to leave arshavin out – he may not have set the world on fire at the start of this season, but he oozes quality that can change a game in a second.
Brandy right now for me, ‘holic.
Thanks.
Certainly, Ollie,
and thanks all for your comments. Starting to get excited now. Roll on kick-off time.
We will win 3-1 and Song to score a goal! He is the only midfielder who hasn’t scored yet! Also I think Ramsey will come in for Denilson and bendtner for eduardo!
I think I’ll join you Ollie.
Cheers!
I’m starting to get excited and a bit nervous now that kick-off draws near. Yes – we should win tonight and I think we probably will but Celtic are a decent team and will be bustin’ their bollocks to win. Our lads will have to concentrate fully for the 90 or so minutes in order to secure a place in the next round. Score? Oh, two nil to the Arsenal.
My name?
Oh yes, it’s J R Hartley
Heh!