₦airaland Forum

chic2pimp:
why would pep bid for him when barca has the best in yaya toure. Wilson palacios has not got the ball skills of yaya toure.

[b]The Auld Enemy

Having already seen off the challenge of Dinamo Moscow, Celtic head into a daunting-looking tie against Arsenal chasing the glittering prize of Champions League qualification.

Whilst the Hoops will undoubtedly be the underdogs, this still promises to be a stiff test for the Gunners, and manager Tony Mowbray has admitted the game is crucial to the Scots.

Of course, Celtic are no strangers to Europe’s top competition and have already beaten the likes of Milan and Manchester United at Celtic Park in recent seasons, meaning Arsenal dare not take their trip to Glasgow for granted.

Mowbray’s men warmed up for the game with a 3-1 away win over Aberdeen at the weekend, which bodes well for their midweek exploits.

Winger Aiden McGeady grabbed a brace to inspire the Hoops to victory, and Celtic certainly possess enough firepower to cause the Gunners problems.

The home side will also be boosted by what will surely be a fantastic atmosphere in Glasgow, with plenty of intensity as Scotland takes on England.

First team coach Mark Venus has already admitted he is expecting a special night and is hoping that the Premier League outfit underestimate his side.

Dare Not Lose

Arsenal, meanwhile, head into their fourth consecutive appearance in the qualifiers with the one tie they probably wanted the least.

Previous seasons have seen the likes of Twente, Sparta Prague and Dinamo Zagreb simply swept aside, but this promises to be a much tougher assignment altogether.

Indeed how the Gunners’ young players cope with the intensity of the atmosphere at Celtic Park may go a long way to deciding the tie.

Arsenal stopper Manuel Almunia has insisted it would be a tragedy if the north Londoners failed to make it through, yet their weekend’s exploits should see them head to Scotland full of confidence.

Despite many commentators having written Arsene Wenger’s side off before a ball had even been kicked, the Gunners began their campaign in fine style at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Everton were crushed 6-1 in a superb display that must have sent chills through those watching up in Glasgow.

FORM GUIDE
Last Five Results

Celtic

Aug 15: Aberdeen 1-3 Celtic
Aug 8: Man City 2-1 Celtic
Aug 5: Dinamo Moscow 0-2 Celtic
Aug 1: Celtic 1-2 Sunderland
July 29: Celtic 0-1 Dinamo Moscow

Arsenal

Aug 15: Everton 1-6 Arsenal
Aug 8: Valencia 2-0 Arsenal
Aug 2: Arsenal 3-0 Rangers
Aug 1: Arsenal 2-1 Atletico Madrid
July 29: Hannover 0-1 Arsenal

TEAM NEWS

Celtic

Glenn Loovens is a doubt whilst Stephen McManus is definitely out. Shaun Maloney should be fit and Gary Caldwell is expected to return to the defence.

Possible Starting XI: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, O’Dea, N’Guemo, Donati, McGeady, McDonald, Fortune, Maloney

Arsenal

After missing the trip to Everton on Saturday, both Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby should return to the squad after injury.

Possible Starting XI: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Fabregas, Denilson, Arshavin, Bendtner, Van Persie

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Celtic

Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady bagged a brace at the weekend against Aberdeen, and Mowbray will be hoping he can continue that form on Tuesday night.

The 23-year-old admitted this weekend that he feels Arsenal are beatable and he will be hoping to prove that at Celtic Park.

Arsenal

Andrey Arshavin could make his Champions League debut for the Gunners, having been ineligible last season, and his trickery may be exactly what is required to break down Celtic.

The Russian has flourished in the Premier League but will undoubtedly relish his European bow and he could be the man to make the difference.

PREDICTION

This is undoubtedly a difficult fixture for both sides, although European nights at Celtic Park often bring out the best in the Hoops.

A fantastic atmosphere will await the Gunners, and whilst a win may be a tough ask, they possess enough quality to grab at least one away goal and give themselves the upper hand in the tie.

Celtic 2-2 Arsenal[/b]

tkb417:
yeah right. I need that Palacios guy in UTD
tht boi surely can play footie

galatico:
I watched the match at Anoeta and the Real Team I saw on that night are destined for great things, was they gel properly, am thinking who can stop Cr9, Kaka, Benzema, Higuain, Real would beat any team,

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he would be foolish to ignore the threat posed to his club's title ambitions by local rivals Manchester City.


"It would be foolish to ignore developments at Eastlands,'' Ferguson told ESPN.


"Manchester City do pose a new threat. We have only to look at how well Chelsea did with back-to-back championships after a massive injection of Russian cash to know money can talk."


Ferguson said he was curious to see if manager Mark Hughes was able to mount a title challenge, adding that the Red Devils don't fear their rivals.


"All the leading clubs are looking with interest to see how Mark Hughes handles the situation and whether he can make it work," he said.


"We are all looking over our shoulders, though as far as Manchester United are concerned, it is not in fear.''

edoyad:
@ khanye,
the irony of the whole matter is that Wenger was the one who spotted Palacios and recommended him to Wigan cos Arsenal was more than endowed in that position at that time.
Now the looks like a player headed for highest level.

Krayola2:
chei!!  That Adebayors shot is FIRE!!! damn!! that guy is a beast. Arsenal and Utd messed up by letting Adebayor and Tevez leave. . .those guys are goin to set the league on fire. I just hope Robinho can find his Madrid form.

BlueDiva:
How do you plan to recruit members?
Have you placed an advert in the dailies?
You should do that.

BlueDiva:
Man city thread

I remember a certain Everton thread?
Hope this one will not go that way too.

PS:
Remove that tagline,
REAL BIG BOYS OF MANCHESTER.
MU will always be King of Manchester.

yousouph:
Its a known fact that Arsenal needs DM as a priority. VDV will be good option in the midfield but he may affect the grow of Wilshere in the team.

tboy1:
A talented artist who could have done just as good(and made more money) if he hooked up another producer as good as Don Jazzy

[b]Despite Luciano Spalletti's declaration that Philippe Mexes would be staying put at Trigoria, the Giallorossi's management could be tempted by a bid from Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea.

According to 4-4-2.com, Ancelotti wants Mexes to partner John Terry in central defence this season and is willing to pay €14m plus Portuguese international Ricardo Carvalho for the Frenchman.

Carvalho was linked with a move to Inter earlier this summer as Jose Mourinho looked to bring the 31-year-old to San Siro along with Deco, but the Nerazzurri were priced out of a move.

The German website also suggests that, should Carvalho be unwilling to move to Rome, the Blues could use Jose Bosingwa as a makeweight instead. However, this would leave three centre-halves competing for two places and neither Mexes nor Carvalho would be content with a place on the bench.

Another problem for Chelsea is the salary of any player they would use in exchange, as that player would be earning considerably less at Stadio Olimpico than at Stamford Bridge. One way round the problem would be for Chelsea to continue to pay a percentage of the player's salary, but Roman Abramovich has been attempting to cut costs at Chelsea this summer and is unlikely to look favourably on such a solution.[/b]

tboy1:
From the info i know personally - Wande coal should not have moved to Mo'Hits because those dudes are really rippin him off. This was confirmed recently when wande coal was in london for his album launch two weeks ago.When i heard how much wande received from the total amount the promoter paid mo'hits i was surprised and still cant believe thats how much he's being ripped off by don jazzy.
IMO- wande coal is the most talented of the whole mo'hits but unfortunately he joined the wrong camp.

follypimpi:
I doubt if we need RDV in our team.

ogazi007:
Yeah!it can only be fc barca.this is just the beginning,we shall shock the entire football world wen we celebrate two trophies early mormor.
before january next year,we should have been home and dry with 3 trophies, u can still choose to join the winning team now before it will be too late.
Barca all the way.

eyonigger:
The real Barca people, I got a source from FUTURE TV blog spot. ( STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL) not to be broadcasted!
The president of Athletic Bilbao sat down with Laporta for a dinner Meeting to dialogue based on todays Match.

Facts were extracted that Bilbao's president proposed that the match be fixed in their favour.(For a total amount to be paid) so that they can have a chance to retain large part of their fans. Laporta whispered into Pep's ear, Pep whispered back to him. The final conclusion was that spaces are going to be left opened for Bilbaos Midfielders and attackers to penetrate freely, because Barca players will create those chances to hit the back of the net. But if they fail to create chances and score, if Barca sees a clear chance  , na SAARA!! Oshofiri to be precise.

Bilbaos president agreed, and the game played on our reasonable agreement favor. What more can I say? FUTURE-TV@BARCA.WHOOPASSES.

mukina2:
Khanye you go chop cane oh

mukina2:
come khanye you nor wan wound ni o

push for my front

mukina2:
liverpool useless jo

u allow this spuddies 3 points

useless spuds

honeric01:
God, which station is going to show it? which of the dstv channel is going to show it,

Lucas was okay today, at least he was defensively.

rockyfela:
this beat is same as his other songs. the song sef sounds exactly like 10 of the songs he has produced recently. i free am cos na wetin him want.

Krayola2:
@ Khanye. . . Evra dey try

lalaboi:
welldone birmingham. . . . at least they have shown that MAN RED are not as strong as they think . . . . .

Krayola2:
Evra is such a good player

lalaboi:
C'mon birmingham!!