Celtic must surpass Moscow exploit

After waiting six years for one European away victory, Celtic FC now need their second in less than a month if they are to snatch a UEFA Champions League group-stage berth from play-off rivals Arsenal FC.

• The Gunners' 2-0 first-leg success in Glasgow has put Arsène Wenger's men firmly on course for a 12th successive appearance in the UEFA Champions League proper – and left their opponents needing to surpass their achievement in winning at FC Dinamo Moskva in the previous round.

• Arsenal won the sides' meeting at Celtic Park on 18 August through William Gallas, in the 43rd minute, and a Gary Caldwell own goal after 71 minutes.

• The Londoners have successfully retained the advantage on the last eight occasions they took a first-leg lead in a UEFA Champions League tie (including qualifying). You have to go back to 2001 for their last defeat – when they beat Valencia CF 2-1 at home in the quarter-finals but exited the competition on away goals after a 1-0 loss in Spain.

• Celtic have fought back from a home defeat once already in this qualifying competition, beating Dinamo 2-0 in Moscow through goals from Scott McDonald and Georgios Samaras to make amends for a 1-0 first-leg loss in Scotland. It was Celtic's first away win in Europe in 23 matches.

Previous meetings

• While Arsenal have never before welcomed Scottish opponents to London, Celtic have made eight previous visits to England and their record south of the border is W3 D2 L3.

• Celtic's last two trips to England brought defeats at Manchester United FC in the UEFA Champions League group stage – 3-0 in October 2008 and 3-2 in September 2006.

• The Scottish side's most recent successes came at Blackburn Rovers FC and Liverpool FC, both 2-0 wins on their run to the 2002/03 UEFA Cup final.

Match background

• Arsenal defeated Celtic's arch-rivals Rangers FC 3-0 in a pre-season friendly in north London, Jack Wilshere (2) and Eduardo the scorers.

• Arsenal won qualifying ties in each of the past three seasons, defeating NK Dinamo Zagreb in 2006/07, AC Sparta Praha in 2007/08 and FC Twente last term.

• Celtic, European champions in 1967, have made six appearances in the UEFA Champions League group stage, having progressed via the qualifying rounds on three occasions. They last missed out on the group stage after losing to FC Artmedia Petržalka in the 2005/06 second qualifying round.

Team ties

• As manager of West Bromwich Albion FC last season, Celtic boss Mowbray oversaw home and away defeats against Arsenal – 1-0 in London and 3-1 at the Hawthorns.

• Cesc Fàbregas and Bhoys midfielder Marc Crosas briefly spent time together in the FC Barcelona youth ranks, until Fàbregas left for Arsenal in 2003.

• Arsenal's Łukasz Fabiański and Celtic's Artur Boruc are rivals for goalkeeping duties at national level, both having featured in Poland's UEFA EURO 2008™ squad.

• An Arsenal legend as a player and current head of youth development at the club, Liam Brady managed Celtic between 1991 and 1993.

• Arsenal striker Jay Simpson spent the second half of last season under Mowbray's wing on loan at West Brom.