Arsenal stepped closer on the European Champions League group stage competition by defeating Celtic 2-0 in their first leg play-off on away pitch, Xinhua reported.
Cetic's lone striker Georgios Samaras played an active role since the match started as the Greek ran strikingly a lot and even tried to scramble for the ball in the back. However, the Gunners were more in control of the game and rendered chances of freekick one after another due to frequent unfair challenges from their rivals.
In the last minutes of the first half, Arsenal's freekick practice finally got a bong. Spanish Cesc Fabregas earned the freekick as he was fouled by Celtic captain Gary Caldwel. Then the 22-year-old talent midfielder rifled the ball, which then deflected off the back of his teammate William Gallas and spun into the bottom corner of the net.
With the lucky goal, the visitors played more confident in the second half, but the hosts were reluctant to focus on defence as strikers Scott McDonald and Marc-Antoine Fortune were sent on to the pitch for the final half hour.
In the 71st minute, Celtic paid the cost for their weak defence as Arsenal stroke a counterattack smoothly and a hurry-scurry Caldwell poked a cross from Gael Clichy into Celtic's net.
The two teams will meet again on August 26 in London.
Meanwhile, FC Copenhagen beat Apoel Nicosia 1-0. Olympiacos and VfB Stuttgart each took a 2-0 away win. Sporting Clube de Portugal and Fiorentina tied at 2-2.
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