Arsenal star Sagna happy after ‘amazing’ Parkhead triumph

ARSENAL right-back Bacary Sagna believes their impressive conquering of two difficult early-season challenges proves their desire to win trophies.

The Gunners followed up their thumping Barclays Premier League triumph against Everton with a 2-0 Champions League play-off win against Celtic on Wednesday night.

The 6-1 victory at Goodison Park – where Everton had previously only lost once in 2009 – silenced many of the critics who argued the loss of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City would ensure Arsene Wenger went a fifth season without silverware.

Although Arsenal benefited from two fortunate goals, they then became the first English team to secure an away European win over Celtic since Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest in 1983.

After William Gallas had inadvertently diverted Cesc Fabregas’ 43rd-minute free-kick past Artur Boruc, Arsenal could have put the tie well beyond Celtic in the early stages of the second period as they created several good opportunities.

In the end, they were thankful for Gary Caldwell turning a Gael Clichy cross into his own net to give them a two-goal cushion in their quest to reach the Champions League group stages.

But Sagna insists they also had to show resolve to overcome one of the most intimidating atmospheres in football to secure the victory.

“I think the atmosphere is one of the most amazing in Europe and it was great to play in front of those fans,” the France international said.

“It was hard to stay focused on the pitch. It’s difficult to play against this kind of atmosphere. It is one of the most amazing I have ever witnessed. But we did quite well with it.”

The 26-year-old added: “The danger was to come here after such a good win and take it easy but we stayed focused and defended as a team and played as a team.

“It was a strange first goal but that’s football and I think we deserved the luck.”

Arsenal’s commanding first-leg lead means they can fully concentrate on Saturday’s visit of Portsmouth, but Sagna has warned against complacency ahead of Wednesday’s second leg at the Emirates Stadium.

“They have a good team with good players and we have to be careful,” the former Auxerre defender said.

“I like (Aiden) McGeady, he has good tricks but they all like to play good football and are all dangerous. We have to enjoy it but we cannot take it easy.”