Arsenal will host Scottish giants Celtic tonight in the second leg of their Champions League qualification tie. The Gunners will hold a two-goal advantage heading into the match after an own-goal from Gary Caldwell and an inadverted William Gallas finish saw them run out 2-0 victors at Celtic Park last week.

Arsenal will be without captain and talismanic playmaker Francesc Fabregas, with the midfield metronome sidelined with a hamstring strain. The extent of Fabregas’ injury is unknown at this stage, though he is certain to be out of tonight’s match. Joining him in the stands are Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky, Lukasz Fabianski and Johan Djourou.

Going by the injury list and also Wenger’s decision on who to rest on the weekend, I think we’ll see something like this:

Eduardo – van Persie – Arshavin
Diaby – Song – Denilson
Clichy – Gallas – Vermaelen – Sagna
Almunia

BENCH: Mannone, Silvestre, Gibbs, Eboue, Ramsey, Merida, Bendtner.

Celtic boss Tony Mowbray will be without midfielder Landry N’Guemo due to suspension while Mark Wilson Stephen McManus and Barry Robson are unfit to play (despite the latter pair returning to training earlier in the week.

All things equal I think we will record a confident victory over Celtic tonight. They Bhoys did not put up much of a challenge in their supposed fortress, so we should have less trouble recording another win on our own turf. Our line-up is far stronger in every department while the side has continued its great form after winning their third consecutive match on the weekend.

I’m tipping 2-0, with Arshavin nabbing a goal and Robin van Persie finally getting on the scoresheet.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 at 7:55 AM and is filed under Arsenal, Champions League, Match Previews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.