Five Things Arsenal Needs To End Celtic's Dreams at the Parkhead Stadium

Today, Arsenal will play their first European game in the 2009-10 campaign, and unlike what most people think, this is one of the toughest games of the new season.

First of all, the last time Celtic lost a game at home to an English team was back in 1983.  Manchester United lost three years back, and they got a draw last season.

The Gunners are going to have a tough time at Parkhead, but there are many ways to dismantle their defense and leave them in the dust.

Here are five things that Arsenal needs to keep in mind, in order to be the first English team to beat the Bhoys in their own backyard in 26 years:

Avoid the Noise

While Arsenal has had their share of tough fixtures in Europe in the past and were booed by fans and Ultras alike (from teams such as Roma, Real Madrid, and Villareal), Celtic's fans have been known for their loud noises and their passionate support for their club.

They are also known for breaking the other team's spirits.

The Gunners need to play with no regard for the booing Celtic fans; having a collective mental stability is a must if they are to keep things under control.

Dodo, the Fittest in the Land

If Arsenal thinks for a moment that Celtic will play defensive, they are dead wrong. Celtic's only real chance in playing their football is at home.  Should they win at the Parkhead stadium, they will probably use the famous "Park the Bus" technique at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal needs to play this game with caution and patience.  Attacking from the start, they need to force their style of football on Celtic from the get-go.

They might have Bendtner, Arshavin, and Van Persie in attack, but the attacker they need most is Eduardo. He probably won't play from the start, but should Eduardo be fit for the game, then Arsenal will have an ace up their sleeves.

Hold Them Back

Last season's defensive partnership was mediocre at best.  While it's obvious that Wenger sold the weaker link, the Gallas-Vermaelen partnership could prove to be the first step to success this season. Gallas is brilliant, world-class, and experienced, while Vermaelen's lust for success is there for all to see. Should this partnership work out, then Arsenal would have no problems in blocking off Celtic's attempts on goal.

Attack vs. Attack

One of Arsenal's biggest advantages in this fixture is none other than the Celtic manager himself: Tony Mowbray.

Forget about the fact that West Brom were relegated under him; he is a brilliant manager that refuses to give up on his beliefs. Mowbray plays attacking football and nothing else.  That alone gives Arsenal the advantage that they are looking for.

Playing against Arsenal in their style is an attempt at suicide.  Last season was proof: While they beat the bigger teams, it was the smaller ones that ruined the Gunners' season.  

Playing a defensive game was the biggest problem of all, but an attacking game, however, is a completely different story.

The 14th Man

This is a game that needs to be won with 14 players, not just 11. Arsene Wenger's substitutes are going to have an important role to play in this fixture. This game needs to be taken seriously, and the substitutes need to prove to us that this team has enough depth to compete.

It will be one of the most important games of the entire season, and it could have lasting effects on the rest of Arsenal's year, as Wenger himself acknowledged.

Taking Tony Mowbray's team for granted could prove fatal for Arsenal.