On a night when Irish rockers U2 rocked the national stadium at Hampden Park, Celtic's hopes of qualification for the Champions League took a severe dent as Arsenal left Celtic Park with a two goal advantage after this first leg win.

Celtic Manager Tony Mowbray had a battle plan that was meant to surprise Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal side but if they had read the morning papers then they would have had no need to guess the Celtic manager's team as it was announced then!

The Arsenal manager and the Celtic support must have been surprised with the selection of Samaras instead of top scorer Scott McDonald or new signing Fortune but the manager had a plan and the Hoops fans would back him.

Both sides had come into this much awaited clash on the back of good results at the weekend with Celtic winning 3-1 at Aberdeen and Everton being hammered at Goodison 6-1 by a rampant Arsenal, so no wonder the Celtic fans had a bit of doubt in their minds going into the match.

Celtic Park on European nights is a place to savour and a place that many have found a difficult hurdle to get over.

This Arsenal side had quality right through out the side and their passing and silky football was a joy to watch but Celtic would not just stand and admire the Gunners they had to get in around them and for most of the first half that is what they did, maybe the manager's plan was working?

Up until the 43rd minute that was!

Celtic would have dearly loved to go into the half-time break level but fate and a stroke of bad luck would make sure they would not. Cesc Febregas lined up a free kick that Artur Boruc looked to have covered until it hit the back of William Gallas and left the Celtic keeper helpless and Arsenal delighted!
Even though this was a cruel blow the Hoops tried to keep their chins up and get back in the tie but chances were few and far between and even when they added McDonald and Fortune to the play they could not break this well oiled Arsenal machine.

Celtic could maybe have coped with taken a 1-0 defeat to the Emirates and giving it a go but when Gael Clichy's cross was turned past his own goalkeeper by Gary Caldwell then the mountain just got a little bit higher to climb!

The defeat would have been hard to take for Tony Mowbray and his men but knowing now that they have to overturn a two goal defeat and go into the match without Landry NGuemo after a needless booking, will give the manager nightmares for the return leg next Wednesday.

Celtic will need plenty of desire in the return match but after this first leg it is Arsenal who have the edge!