For almost a week John Hartson thought that two of his former club’s would be involved in today’s last 16 draw for the Europa League.
A 1-1 draw away from home in the first leg of a European tie is generally regarded as the ideal result, allowing the job to be finished off at home with the insurance of an away goal. Even better is a 1-0 win which Arsenal enjoyed against Olympiakos.
That was the script for Celtic and Arsenal last night but both clubs managed to turn convention on their head as fans were left to wonder what on earth had happened.
Not a great night for me from selfish point of view.. at 7.55 pm tonight I was confident 2 of my former clubs would progress through to the Europa league last 16.. both out.. ??
— John Hartson (@JohnHartson10) February 27, 2020
Celtic were first to disrupt the script. A brilliantly executed penalty from Odsonne Edouard in the 82nd minute brought them back into the tie but no one could have anticipated the Danes scoring twice in the closing minutes to end another European campaign with a home defeat.
Down at the Emirates there was a slightly different twisting of the knife after Pape Abou Cisse scored at the Emirates to level the aggregate scores.
With the match forced into extra-time Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang edged Arsenal in front after 113 minutes but in the final minute Youssef El Arabi put the Greeks through as Arsenal joined Celtic on the outside looking in on European football.