Lucky Goals Give Arsenal Edge in Win Over Celtic

• AP, Wednesday, August 19, 2009 4 PM

Playing away at Celtic, Arsenal capitalized on two lucky bounces to gain a 2-0 victory in the qualifying stages of the Champions League. At the end of the first half, William Gallas accidentally deflected home a 30-meter free kick by Cesc Fabregas. In the second half Celtic defender Gary Caldwell turned a cross from Arsenal fullback Gael Clichy past his own goalkeeper.

"Despite having control of the game, we scored two lucky goals," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. "But we had plenty of opportunities." The teams meet again at Arsenal next week when Celtic will hope to repeat what it achieved in the previous round, beating Dynamo Moscow after losing the first leg at home.  

In Tuesday's other games, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina drew 2-2, VfB Stuttgart won 2-0 at FC Timisoara, Olympiakos won 2-0 at FC Sheriff, and FC Copenhagen beat Apoel 1-0.

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