Source: Telegraph
Arsenal's quality may prove too much for Celtic to match says Georgios Samaras
The Celtic manager revealed this week that he has frequently paid to watch Arsene Wenger's side in an attempt to match their style, which is as aesthetically pleasing as it is effective.[LNB]Gordon Strachan's pragmatic approach won three championships but not the hearts and minds of a support which puts style on a par with substance.[LNB] Related ArticlesTerry Neill offers cold comfort for Scottish giantsWenger: we got harsh treatmentCesc Fàbregas wins tussle with Aiden McGeadyCeltic 0 Arsenal 2Champions League actionRedknapp in for £8m BrownMowbray, though, shares Wenger's footballing philosophy and is determined to play football the Glasgow Celtic way.[LNB]However, Samaras warned that transforming the base metal he inherited into gold will take time and, indeed, may prove to be impossible.[LNB]"You cannot change a team in three or four weeks," said the Greek. "The way we are working on the training ground and the way we are thinking about football is close to Arsenal's thoughts but we need to work really hard to be at the same level.[LNB]"We might not make it. To reach a Barcelona or Arsenal level is really difficult. They have more money and can buy better players with more quality. We can't be the same, but we can try to be a mini-version of this Arsenal side.[LNB]"I think you will see good football this season from Celtic because of that."[LNB]With Celtic unlikely (to say the least) to overturn the two-goal deficit at the Emirates next midweek, they have the consolation of the safety net that is the Europa League.[LNB]Samaras, though, refuses to accept that the less prestigious competition represents his club's true station.[LNB]"I don't think that the Europa League is our level," he said. "Both Rangers and Celtic have the mentality to win titles and both are big clubs in Europe.[LNB]"We can both be Champions League clubs. In recent years Rangers and ourselves dropped out of the Champions League and went on to reach the Uefa Cup Finals. Those were both great runs and the teams had good results. But three years in a row Rangers or Celtic made the last 16 of the Champions League and we can be at that level.[LNB]"I don't see that the Europa League is a better route for the club right now. When you play for Celtic you want to be at the top level and that means the Champions League."[LNB]Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, meanwhile, moved to play down supporters' expectations after an exhilarating start to their campaign, claiming that Everton [beaten 6-1 at Goodison on Saturday] and Celtic are too weak to act as a barometer for their progress.[LNB]"Obviously, we have a lot of quality but it's not just about the quality at this level," he said. "We also have fitness physically we are very strong and we have experience in the Champions League. You cannot underestimate that.[LNB]"We've had two great results to start the season but we know that, away from home, it won't always be as easy as it was at Celtic or Everton.[LNB]''It's hard to comment much on the difference between the leagues in Scotland and England, because I don't see too many Scottish games and don't know the teams very well. If you ask me, I think Celtic would not do too badly in the Premier League but they would have to keep their best players and sign some more good ones." [LNB]
