Arsenal earned a well deserved lead to take back to the Emirates after dispatching Celtic last night in Glasgow, becoming the first English side to do so since the legendary Nottingham Forest team managed by Cloughie himself. But it was not attacking brilliance or masterful performances from the big name players that won the match, but instead simple hard work and defensive stability – the two things that Arsenal have been lacking so often over the last few seasons.
Celtic fans will argue that they didn’t have the luck on the day and perhaps that’s right, but the truth is that Arsenal never looked in danger of conceding at one of football’s fortresses, and by the 2nd half the famous home atmosphere had been replaced by the Gunners’ loyal away support as Wengers broke up attacks before they had a chance to build the momentum needed to excite the Hoops’ faithful.
The team in the green and white did start the match well in a frantic and very competitive first half that seemed to take its toll on the Glasweigians as the game wore on. Arsenal have a new found resilience at the start of this season though and the best chance that Celtic could muster was when the dangerous McGeady very nearly played in an onrushing Scott Brown, only for a fantastic last ditch challenge from Vermaelen to prevent any sight of goal.
Then came the killer blow for the Scots, Gary Caldwell rash in his challenge on Fabregas in the final third of the pitch. Caldwell couldn’t have predicted how it would lead to a goal though, as Cesc Fabregas’ shot hit a ducking William Gallas and diverted into the opposite corner of the net with Artur Boruc stranded. Unlucky but not against the run of play, with several hints earlier on that Arsenal could step it up and cause Celtic real problems if and when needed.
The effect of Gallas’ unintentional opener coupled with Celtic’s growing weariness made the 2nd half a far easier affair for the North Londoners, easily keeping Celtic at arms length with fantastic pressing causing numerous unforced errors from the SPL runners up, not used to such a high level of pace and technique. Van Persie had a couple of decent chances, while Denilson also curled just wide from a decent position as Arsenal found more and more room to manoveure in. When the second goal came there was again a slice of fortune involved, Diaby beating his plan and playing in Clichy, the Frenchman’s drilled cross being onverted by the hapless Caldwell’s studs. With Bendtner waiting to tap the ball in I don’t really think too much blame should lie with Caldwell, however, contrary to what Celtic fans believe.
With that goal went any realistic Celtic hopes of progressing to the Champions League proper it would appear, with an awful away record not the best attribute to have when approaching a tie at the Emirates Stadium next week. So job done for the Gunners who now face cash strapped Portsmouth at the weekend to make it three wins out of three for the season so far.
