We have a few injury doubts in our squad after the Everton game. Cesc Fabregas, Denilson and Bacary Sagna are all being looked at before Wenger makes a decision

Second game of the season is one of our most important games that we will play in season 2009/2010. Arsenal have played Champions League football every year since Arsene Wenger joined the club in 1996. Our fourth placed finish last season means that we have to qualify to get into the group stages. Celtic are also racing to get that same very ticket and it starts at Parkhead.

Celtic could well prove a very difficult obstacle in tonight’s game as they have a very impressive home record in the Champions League. Many big clubs have travelled to Parkhead and come away with their tails planted firmly between their legs.

Man for man Arsenal should be head and shoulders above their Scottish counterparts, but in one of games without wanting to use cliches can go out of the window. The atmosphere at Celtic will be something that our players will be wishing they could receive during matches at Ashburton Grove and can often push an average team into a dangerous one.

One possible plus point is that Celtic’s good record was mainly under their previous manager who had a different style and philosophy to that of Tony Mowbray who from his West Brom days likes to play the pass and move game, the game that Arsene’s team can do better than most in European football.

The Everton game would have been the perfect preparation for tonight’s game.

High Balls? – Check
Goals? – Check
Teamwork – Check
Commitment – Check

Pretty much everything you need for an away match against a physical side like Celtic.

We have a few injury doubts in our squad after the Everton game. Cesc Fabregas, Denilson and Bacary Sagna are all being looked at before Wenger makes a decision. Abou Diaby is fit and ready to play so Wenger might want to add some more power to a midfield. If Denilson is struggling then Wenger will probably want to rest the Brazilian.

Theo Walcott who was supposed to be ready for tonights match is ruled out due to a back problem which is a shame for Theo who would have wanted to start the season with us but now he has to play catch up with his fitness. This is what happens when you go and play games for England u21s as well as the full National team.

I do not expect many changes to the team that did so well at Goodison park, depending on the injury updates I think Wenger will want to play his strongest available side. He can rotate and make changes for the game on Saturday at home to Portsmouth which is a game that many of our squad players can step in and should not affect the result too much.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

Even with the crowd behind them and their very impressive home record, I just cannot see them being able to gain enough possession to cause us too many problems. The players should be on a high right now and if we can show the same sprit that we showed on the weekend then I can see the boys coming away with another impressive victory. Van Persie didn’t get many chances to open his account against Everton but he will find the chances tonight.