Source: Telegraph
Arsenal v Celtic: Arsene Wenger hails strength of allround strike squad
Celtic have to overturn a two goal deficit at the Emirates Stadium against an Arsenal side who have scored 12 goals in three games, and let in just two. Few Celtic fans would fancy the odds. But, of course, that doesn't mean that the match has to be dull.
After all, if both sides' recent performances are anything to go by, this game should have more goals in it than a self-help guide. Celtic put five past St Johnstone at the weekend, taking their tally to eight goals in just two Scottish Premier League games, while Arsenal added to the six they scored against Everton by defeating Portsmouth 4-1. Promising statistics for the neutral in search of a sexy game.
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Celtic 0 Arsenal 2
Interestingly, only one of Arsenal's goals so far this season has come from a striker – Eduardo at Goodison Park. Rather than worrying about his forwards not pulling their weight, however, Arsene Wenger sees it as a promising sign that so early on in the season the rest of the side are helping to keep the score-sheet ticking over.
"We have played a 4-3-3 formation early in the season and there are many benefits from it," the Arsenal manager explained. "At the start of the season, I wanted to play high up the pitch, making a threat in the opponents half early in the game. It tells me that we have a game where we attack from everywhere.
"Our strikers at the moment are providers. For me, in a good team everybody can score and a good striker scores and provides. At the moment they provide more than they score, but I know that Eduardo and Robin van Persie will score so I am very happy that at the moment they do not score and we still score goals."
Even without Cesc Fabregas, who has a hamstring injury, Arsenal look dangerous. They could call on Wales international Aaron Ramsey, who scored his first Premier League goal as a second-half substitute for Fabregas, or Abou Diaby, who notched up two against Portsmouth.
Meanwhile, it is hardly surprising that, given their need to score at least two goals after their defeat last week at Celtic Park, Tony Mowbray, the Celtic manager, has selected a side that will be similarly aggressive going forward.
"If we had been sitting here 2-0 up, then I would probably play a different team to one that is 2-0 down and having to score some goals," he said. "But I am pretty clear in my mind what my team will be. The result of the first leg alters your thought patterns of how you might set up in the second leg. I understand that if we lose 2-0 again, I will be judged to have got the team wrong again but if we win 3-0 then hopefully everyone will be pretty happy."
Indeed they would. The danger, of course, is that his side will be left open by the need to press forward, especially as he will be without anchorman Landry N'Guemo, who Mowbray does not want to fatigue. "Landry has two international games coming up halfway round the world and if you have the opportunity to look after your players you take it," he said.
