Champions League Fixture Preview: Arsenal vs. Celtic

Ground: Celtic Park (Parkhead)
Arsenal Injuries: Theo Walcott, Abou Diaby, Samir Nasri, Thomas Rosicky, Johan Djoruru, Lukasz Fabianski
Celtic Injuries: Glenn Loovens, Shaun Maloneym, Stephen McManus

Arsenal travel north to Glasgow today to face Celtic, one of the two teams in the Scottish Old Firm. Celtic have just started their season and are up against a in-form Arsenal, who have just destroyed Everton 6-1 and are surely brimming with confidence. Apparently the manager of Celtic has a “cunning plan” to try to stop Arsenal, but he must feel that a tie or even a small loss would be an ideal outcome in this match.

Some notable players at Celtic include: Samaras (formerly of Man City), Scott Brown (a promising talent), Aiden McGeady, and goaltender Artur Boruc. They have some talent on the team, but I doubt it would be enough to seriously threaten Arsenal.

Arsenal still have a large number of injuries and there have been reports that Fabregas may have picked up a knock last game. He is important to provide the creativity to break down negative opponents and hopefully be fit for the game.

Although the game is important, I think Wenger may play some of the younger players because of injury concerns and to provide experience. I think Wenger may stick with the 4-3-3, and my predicted line-up would be:

-------------------------Almunia--------------------------
Sagna----------Vermaelen----Gallas-----------Clichy
-----------------------------Song-------------------------
---------------------Denilson—Ramsey----------------
Arshavin-----------------------------------------Bendtner
-------------------------------RVP-------------------------

I am predicting a 2-0 for the Gunners.