Arsenal, Stuttgart and Olympiakos set for group stage

Arsenal, VfB Stuttgart and Olympiakos Piraeus scored 2-0 away wins in their final Champions League playoff matches last night to set up their places in the group stage after the second legs next week.

Two moments of misfortune cost Celtic dearly as Arsenal scored a goal in each half to leave the Hoops' chances of joining the Champions League group stages hanging by a thread.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas' free-kick took a wild deflection off William Gallas to give the Gunners a half-time lead before Gary Caldwell knocked Gael Clichy's cross past his own keeper to secure an impressive away victory.

Stuttgart won at Politechnica Timisoara in Romania with two goals in three minutes from Timo Gebhart and Aleksandr Hleb while Olympiakos beat Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova 2-0 with Dudu and substitute Kostas Mitroglou on target in the second half.

In Lisbon, Fiorentina earned a vital 2-2 draw away from home at 10-man Sporting. The Italians will now be favourites to progress to the competition group stage following next week's second leg in Florence.

The visitors took an early lead when Juan Vargas lashed home a low shot from outside the area.

The Portuguese predictably came out firing at the start of the second period and Simon Vukcevic put them level on 58 minutes.

However, the Montenegran then stupidly removed his shirt in celebration and was promptly shown a second yellow card and sent to the stands.

Despite this setback, Sporting still managed to take a 2-1 lead with a firm drive from Miguel Veloso on 66 minutes.

However, the Serie A side equalised 11 minutes from time when Alberto Gilardino took his chip into the box on his chest before prodding home a volley with the outside of his right boot.

In the other match played last night, FC Copenhagen beat APOEL Nicosia 1-0.