Celtic v Arsenal Preview

By: Matt | August 17th, 2009

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is an injury doubt for the Gunners along with fellow midfielder Denilson and defender Bacary Sagna. Theo Walcott and Johan Djourou will miss the match for sure with injury, though Abou Diaby will be available for Arsenal. Walcott, Djourou, and Diaby were all missing from the Gunners 6-1 demolishing of Everton on the weekend that saw Denilson, Vermaelen, Galla, Fabregas twice, Eduardo all score. Hopefully they used up all their goals on the weekend.

For Celtic, Glenn Loovens is questionable after picking up an injury over the weekend in Celtic’s opening week defeat of Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Loovens only lasted one half before being substituted in the Bhoys 3-1 victory. Shaun Maloney also picked up an injury towards the end of that match that forced Celtic to close the match out with only 10 men. Maloney is also questionable for Tuesday. Tony Mowbray said that Maloney meerly picked up a cramp on Saturday, but there are reports that it might cause the winger to miss the match.

Defender Stephen McManus continues to sit out for Celtic while recovering from off-season knee surgery. Gary Caldwell will make a return to the Celtic defense after missing the Scottish Premier League opener against the Dons through suspension. Caldwell will pair up with either Glenn Loovens or Darren O’Dea, depending on the health of Loovens, though O’Dea has shown he is a capable understudy so far.

If Maloney is unable to start, the only difference I would expect to see in the line up from Saturday would be Scott Brown initially starting on the opposite wing of Aiden McGeady, though Brown would be given free reign to attack and float all over the field. Scott McDonald and Marc Antoine Fortune are likely to be the starting strikers, while Massimo Donati and Landry N’Guemo will be the other midfielders. The center backs will be determined by the health of Big Glenn, but Andreas Hinkel and Danny Fox are definitely the starting full backs. There has been loud speculation that Hinkel will be sold, though he came out today saying that he loves Celtic and wants to remain at the club, but Tony Mowbray has come out and said that there will be no sales before Tuesday’s fixture. I think Celtic will come out attacking and get an early goal. Arsenal will then be out for blood and pepper the Celtic goal, but the Bhoys will bend but not break and take a 1-0 lead to North London. Keep the Faith!

Who do you think should start? What do you think the result will be? Let me know in the comments!