Morning:
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Arsenal 3-1 Celtic (Arsenal win 5-1 on aggregate)
Arsene Wenger admitted Arsenal had been somewhat fortunate to see Eduardo win a penalty which set them on the way to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Celtic and into the group stages of the Champions League.
With his team leading 2-0 from the first leg in Glasgow, the opening goal was always going to be crucial.
It came just before the half-hour when Eduardo went down following what looked minimal contact at best from Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc after he skipped into the left side of the box.
It was enough to convince Spanish referee Manuel Gonzalez and Eduardo was certainly not worried by chants of "cheat" from the massed ranks of green behind the goal.
The Croatia striker, set to face England in next month's crucial World Cup qualifier at Wembley, stepped up to send Boruc the wrong way and all but kill off the tie.
Emmanuel Eboue made sure there would be no comeback for Mowbray's side with a neat finish on 53 minutes before substitute Andrey Arshavin slotted in a third.
Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati volleyed home a superb consolation goal in stoppage time.
"From outside I must say it looked a penalty, but having seen it again on television, it doesn't look to be a penalty," the Arsenal manager said.
"But I must still say that we were likely always to score the first goal because Eduardo had a great chance before the penalty and we always looked in control of the game.
"I believe really that it was not a penalty but I am also not sure that the keeper didn't touch him with his right knee, having seen it again.
"I do not want a penalty which is not a penalty, but I do not go as far to say Eduardo dived.
"He went down, for what reason I do not know.
"But I do not think he would have complained if the penalty was not given.
"Is it acceptable? I never asked in my life any guy to dive to win a penalty but sometimes the players go down because there is no other way to escape the tackling of the keeper. Sometimes they dive.
"We got a penalty [against us] two years ago in the quarter-final of the Champions League [at Liverpool] that made the difference when [Ryan] Babel dived, nobody ever apologised to us, it was a blatant dive and nobody spoke about it."
Wenger felt Celtic had put up a brave challenge.
He said: "I believe that Celtic in the two games were well organised, did show some great mental qualities, they never gave up at any moment, and for me, they are a good side.
"Over the two games they were a bit unlucky because in the first game, the free-kick deflected, they were always one behind the score and when there is a technical difference between the two sides, it makes it even harder."
Arsenal now head to Manchester United on Saturday in confident mood after maintaining their 100% start to the new campaign.
However, midfielder Aaron Ramsey picked up a knee injury tonight and may not feature, while Wenger feels captain Cesc Fabregas, out with a hamstring problem, may be "short" for the weekend.
"We are now in the top, top league in Europe, with all the big names," he said.
"Our team tonight was an average age of 23.9 years.
"That means if we can get out of the group stage, then in six months we can be even stronger.
"That is what we want to focus on, to continue to improve our team play, the speed of our game and show that we have made big improvements come Saturday at 5:15.
"I am happy to go to Old Trafford because it is the first big, big test.
"You want always to have a high level of confidence when you go to Old Trafford, we have that at the moment.
"For us it is most important to recover physically because Manchester United did not play in the League Cup tonight."
Reader views (11)
Adam of London should try and get real. You ought to watch the incident and see if any Arsenal player or Eduardo himself appealed for a penalty to be given. A player gets a fine if he deliberately acts foolishly to get a card, red or yellow, not when he earns a penalty resulting in a goal. I wonder if you have called for Steven Gerrard or Wayne Rooney to be dealt with in the same way. Footballers are employees and so are protected by employment law coupled with the laws of contract. You don't fine or suspend a player just because of bad breath, it has to infringe on his contract obligations. Please ask Stan Collimore...he knows!!!
- Sorie Kamara 'Kamsoman', London, UK
calm down its august
- Keith, bournemouth
Why not blame Blatter for denying the use of technology? After all video evidence would have saved the misfortune and confusion. Nobody has asked for Gerrard or Rooney to be banned, as they are British, but the foreign players get hanging for diving!! The Press should have been campaigning for Blatter to be removed. I am asking all bloggers to ask for Blatter to be sacked if he does not introduce technology to the game.
- Sorie Kamara 'Kamsoman', London, UK
To all of you wingers, Go Hang
- Sikaman, Ghana
I think we should be slightly cautious in praise of Arsenal. The result against Everton was excellent, but Everton were unsettled by Lescott's imminent departure, Celtic were generally poor, Portsmouth in takeover turmoil, having sold their best players. Lets see how we cope with Man Utd & Man City away in the next two matches. Although I am hopeful.
- Rob Gooner, North London
eduardo didnt even appeal for the penalty - the ref awarded it regardless, so how is it a crime?
and there was minimal contact with the keepers right thigh
bit hypocritical to ban eduardo for such a minor incident when even more major ones and more significant (repeat offenders, semi finals etc) go unpunished
facts are that video DOES show MINOR contact - and eduardo and in fact NONE of the arsenal team even appeal
so its the ref at fault - why blame a player who didnt even bother to appeal?!
plus the aggregate was 5-1 so hardly a decisive decision
- Stephen Park, Dubai
Have i missed something here? Drogba who does a great impersonation of an old lady on rollerskates? Ronaldo, Babel, the list is endless of players going over at the slightest touch. Now its bash the gunners time again, we re too young, too inexperienced, blah, blah, blah. The simple fact is the team looks compact, well organized and looking like they can score at will from all over the pitch. Right now it looks a straight fight between Chelsea and Arsenal.Even Mowbray had the good grace to admit his team were played off the park in both games. Get a life
- Marcel, london uk
The gunners fans in my local were ecstatic when they were awarded the penalty,but really taken aback when the replay showed how blatant the dive was.Fair play to the fans for that reaction.
The Chelsea crowd got onto Drogba to cut out the diving a couple of seasons ago,and he did.
- Jimfred, London Uk
Eduardo!!! - what a cheater... no comments!
- Joe, london, gb
Well done Eduardo, with everyone seeing your dive from the "Ronaldo school of falling on your arse" a crucial clear cut penalty this season will not be given because refs will regard Arsneal players as cheats. Was it really worth it ? I was ashamed to say I am an Arsenal supporter last night.
- Steve, London
Whatever punishment UEFA hand out, Wenger should suspend Eduardo for 2 matches or fine him 2 weeks wages for bringing the club into direpute. Arsenal are a better club than this.
- Adam, London
