Arsenal's In...So Is Celtic

Arsenal advanced to the group stages of the Champions League with a 3-0 drubbing of Sparta Prague at Emirates, totaling a 5-0 advantage on aggragate, while the Bhoys made it vastly more exciting by going to the wire with a 4-3 shootout win.

Arsenal will face steau Bucharest, Slavia Prague and the winner of AEK Athens/Sevilla. Meanwhile, Celtic has drawn a difficult Group with AC Milan, Benfica and Shaktar Donetsk on the table.

The most interesting news, though, as we wenter the weekend is David Dein's sale of his share in the club to Red and White, a group headed by another Russian Zillionaire, and with none other than David Dein at the management end of the table. Dein is apparently set to orchestrate a takeover of the club that brings in the outside capital to compete with the other zillionaire-backed clubs.

"Without new investors, I feel very soon Arsenal might not be able to compete
successfully at the very top level, despite the fantastic work of (manager)
Arsene Wenger," Dein said.

"Red and White believes that in light of the fast-changing landscape for
football, both in the UK and globally, it will be able to assist Arsenal and
ensure that it will be able to thrive in the future and become the leading
football club in the world," the statement said.

It added that keeping Wenger at the club was "vital to the future success of
the club."

Not much to disagree with there. Dein also added that he has been an Arsenal fan since the age of six, and turned down offers with other clubs because his love and passion is only for the Gunners.

"I have always had the best interests of Arsenal at heart," Dein said.

"I firmly believe that the involvement of Red and White with a significant
stake and the long-term commitment of Arsene Wenger are absolutely the best
outcome for the club, fans and shareholders."

"I have not lost my passion for the club; indeed, it is greater than ever. My
ambition remains to play an active role in Arsenal again. My immediate
intention is to work with others to provide the financial resources necessary to
turn the vision of Arsenal as the world's number
one club into reality."

It's great to see David Dein back in the mix for the Gunners. And, the club clearly has to compete financially with the Romanovs and Glazers. Dein understand that. He also understands the value of Wenger to the Arsenal. This'll be interesting to watch this develop.