Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Brice Coffer 
Date:Friday August 7 2009
Time: 10:32PM
UK time is: 09:14:32
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Arsenal Draws the Green Half of Glasgow
After their heroic win in Moscow on Wednesday, Celtic was rewarded with a tie against Arsenal in the Playoff Round of the UEFA Champions League.
Even though this is certainly an interesting matchup for both teams, it promises to be significantly over hyped by every media outlet for the obvious reasons. Personally I couldn't care less.
The first match of the two legged tie will be played at Celtic Park on Tuesday, August 18th. Celtic will have to attack Arsenal in the first leg because they will not want to rely on getting an away goal at the Emirates. Considering our adeptness in the art of counterattacking, traveling for the first leg is a positive for us. The decisive second match will be a week later in North London.
Arsenal are the obvious favourites going into the tie, but after Celtic's miracle win in Russia, they will want to ride their new found wave of confidence into the group stages of the Champions League. Though, I don't think Arsene will be too upset with how the balls fell in Switzerland, as the draw probably could have been worse. It will be tough, but I see Arsenal going through thanks to a score draw in Glasgow and a win back at the Grove.
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Your Comments
Whilst I also absolutely hate the term 'Battle of Britain' for these kind of games, I'd expect the Celtic players and fans will have an extra insentive to beat us than any other team in the draw. This is a potentially tricky tie in my opinion. Celtic play an agressive, physical game, and could cause our suspect defence some problems. There's also a danger of our players underestimating the opposition, who will thrive going into the game as underdogs, a tag that we usually relish. I'd expect us to get through of course, but we can't afford to take the tie lightly.
ArsenalRob
If we apply ourselves and have a fully fit squad, we should go through ' quite ' comfortably. Celtic are fairly one dimensional, they look to hit the boys up top early. I don't think they have that much pace in their side, although they are well organised at the back. The one thing that they will be afraid of is our pace, so they will sit deep and invite us onto them. We will have to be patient at times and also make sure that we ' compete ', as there will be one or two challenges going in.
CockneyRich1
They're wingers - Maloney and McGeady - are reasonably pacey, but otherwise, yeah they are quite one dimensional, but so are Bolton and Blackburn, and they have caused us trouble in the past. It's good we've got Arsh for these kind of games, because we don't have many, if any, others with such an impressive rate of successful dribbles, and when a side packs they're box and sit back, you often need to beat your man to free up another player in the box - otherwise we'd just be probing around a dead end, a familiar feeling before we got Arsh in January.
ArsenalRob
Celtic would look to pack the box if the first game was in London, but with the first match at Celtic Park, they will have to go forward.
gunnerkid107
Maybe not pack the box, but I'd expect their CMs to be asked to stay as deep as possible without leaving their strikers completely isolated.
ArsenalRob
Maybe so, but after the 1-0 loss against Dinamo Moscow at the Park, I'd imagine Mowbray will be very keen to avoid another defeat at home in his short time as manager.
gunnerkid107
Don't make travel plans just yet, just been told U2 (******** U2, I hate U2) are playing Hampden Park on the Tuesday night and the away leg might yet be moved. (I have to delay my travel arrangements because of ******** Bono, as if I didn't think he was enough of a dick already).
Little Dutch
Yeah I heard about that. These dates are scheduled months upon months in advance. Did Celtic not think they would make it?! Embarrassing stuff from the Scots.
gunnerkid107
U2 one of the best bands in the world,
123spurs
This could potentially be a banana skin as you guys said. But I'm happy as long as we're not having Atletico. I expect Celtic to go forward a little more than last year with Mowbray in charge, which is good for us too. I'm cautious but expect us to go through okay. :)
GoonerLou
I hate u2, really and truely, bono is the worst excess of smug the world has ever seen, he is an abominable sh#ite, nice tricky tie too see us into the season, but feel confident we will see this one away. why did i drink so much jaeger tonight? Oh it burns........
Lloydytron
I'm with LD and Lloyd, U2 are almost definately the most over-rated band of all time. I don't understand what it is exactly that people like about their music? Arsenal should win this one, but be very cautious of under-estimating. Being an underdog can sometimes greatly inprove your resolve to win.
FuiKaka
I intend on going to the game and hope it's a ' beautiful day '. I think we will get ' one ' away goal at least, but to score a couple would be ' the sweetest thing '. At least the game will be played on a tuesday or a wednesday, and not a ' sunday, bloody sunday '. A message for Rosicky : Get fit but don't rush back. We can win ' with or without you '. I hate U2 as well.
CockneyRich1
Looking forward to seeing you guys in Glasgow and if you,ve never experienced a CL game at Celtic Park then you are all in for an awesome night ,, we are quite a friendly bunch and your troops will be made to feel welcome in the city as most of us have a hatred of that chelski mob ...... there,s no doubt that the Gunners will go into the tie as favourites but we have taken the scalps of some of Europe,s finest over the years & adding Arsenal to that list will be our objective in Glasgow ........ how many tickets can we expect for the return match in London then ....???
wishaw bhoy
wishaw bhoy, I have been to a couple of league games at Celtic Park and to be fair, the atmosphere and the noise blew me away. It will be a tight game up there and would gladly take a 1-1 or even a 1-0 loss. You will have to come at us at home, so we will be playing counter attack stuff and looking to move the ball quickly. I'd imagine you will get about 5,000 tickets only for the Emirates, but as you know, there will be Celtic fans in all parts of the ground. It has the makings to be a brilliant tie, and may be quite close. I wonder who Charlie Nicholas will support ???
CockneyRich1
Hahah this is a very interesting tie! If Celtic don't make the CL group stages, Rangers fans will never let them hear the end of it. If Arsenal don't make, quite a few PL teams won't let them hear the end of it! Celtic are always a tough side at home but Celtic just can't live with Arsenal's football.
ForeverUnited
We dont care what the animals say ,, never have ,, and we care even less for what the idiot that is CN has to say FU .........
wishaw bhoy
Thanks for your thought provoking input wishaw bhoy. Great debating, well done. Your fascinating insight into the world of football was a joy to read. You are a great loss to MI5.
CockneyRich1
Celtic just confirmed on their website that the first match will go ahead as scheduled on Tuesday the 18th.
gunnerkid107
does anybody have tickets to the first leg ? 3lance at gmail dot com
u-man
I think this Arsenals game to lose ...i just really fkn hope we don't!
FuiKaka
Woo hoo! Flights booked, £122 return with BA. Can't wait for this one.
Little Dutch
A draw against the Hoops is no disgrace, even for Arsenal. After all, even Man City only beat them 2 - 1.
Sindbad
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