There is little doubt that Eduardo deliberately went to ground to get his side a spot kick against Celtic, even the most ardent Arsenal fan will admit it should never have been given, and even that the Croatian international deserved a yellow card for his troubles. But there is no excuse for the unacceptable way that the media and Europe’s governing body have treated him.

Wenger’s description was of a “witch hunt” and Uefa will be happy to know they have reached the point where the burning can begin in earnest, handing a two match ban out. In doing so, however, they have turned a page in the history of football that they cannot be allowed to return to.

A dive, if spotted by the referee, warrants “only” a yellow card. No suspension, you will notice. Yet if the referee fails to do his job, that same dive can now be accompanied by a retrospective two match ban. The ban is for “decieving the referee”, a simply ridiculous phrase that Uefa should be forced to regret after every single game this season. Hats off to Uefa if they really intend to stick to this new plan to get rid of cheating in the game, but does anyone really believe they are going to implement the same penalty against the likes of £30m+ Ibrahimovic, £80m Cristiano Ronaldo and co when they con the ref in every game they feature in this season. If they did so we would probably never see them get two consecutive appearances this year.

If a player claims the ball did not touch him when the opposition appeal for a corner kick, presumably if the ref believes that player and gives a goal kick after the match that player will then be given a two match ban for “decieving the referee”? Hmmm, I think not. Likewise if in the middle of the pitch someone takes a dive to win a meaningless free kick, the next day when everyone realises he has conned the referee will he miss the next two matches as a result? Once again, I highly doubt it.

The truth is that the media and Uefa have teamed up to make an example of Arsenal Football Club and of Eduardo, creating a show of unity against cheating in a haphazard, nonsensical manner that has been pathetic to see. If Uefa had really wanted to stamp out cheating in football, where is the two match ban for Ashley Young following the wingers tumble to gain a penalty against Rapid Vienna just days after Eduard0-gate? Where is the ban for Lionel Messi following an attempted headbutt that he only recieved a yellow for?

I will leave you with this thought – If Ronaldo had done the same thing as Eduardo, as he has done so many times in his career, would we have the same situation?

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.

The one time winners of the European Cup have been given the first game at their Parkhead home on the 18/19th August before travelling to London for the 2nd leg at the Emirates Stadium. Celtic struggled through the previous round against Dinamo Moscow to set up this tie which should be an exciting encounter between two great clubs.

I am very much looking forward to the tie and am confident that Arsenal can ease past the challenge of Celtic. Despite the Glaswegian clubs’ rich history the Premier League’s superior finances has seen the standard of the English clubs rise dramatically to the point where I am expecting a difficult challenge in Glasgow but a straight forward game in the return leg. Celtic’s summer signing of Marc-Antoine Fortune for £3.8m illustrates the gulf in class that now exists between the sides and barring a huge shock Arsenal should make their way into the Champions League proper.

Full Champions League play-off draw

• FC Sheriff v Olympiakos

• SV Red Bull Salzburg v Maccabi Haifa

• FK Ventspils v FC Zurich

• FC Copenhagen v Apoel Nicosia

• Levski Sofia v Debrecen

• Lyon v Anderlecht

• Celtic v Arsenal

• FC Timisoara v VfB Stuttgart

• Sporting v Fiorentina

• Panathinaikos v Atletico Madrid