Champions League Round-Up: Celtic end Man City’s 100 per cent record, Arsenal defeat Basel

Arsenal recorded a routine 2-0 win over Group A opponents Basel to carry their domestic form back into the Champions League.

Theo Walcott continued his rich vein of form by putting the Gunners ahead just eight minutes in, heading in Alexis Sanchez’s cross at the far post.

Walcott showed no sign of slowing down either, putting Arsenal two up before half-time. Arsene Wenger’s side pushed for a third, but the Swiss champions managed to restrict the damage to just the two goals.

Walcott gunned down Basel with a first-half brace – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

A wobbly Paris Saint-Germain eventually overcame Ludogorets Razgrad to win 3-1 in Bulgaria. Ludogorets went ahead through a stunning free-kick from Natanael. Blaise Matuidi replied for PSG before the interval, and a second half brace from Edinson Cavani ensured the three points went back to Paris.

In Group B, five second-half goals and an early Marek Hamsik opener swung the pendulum Napoli’s way as they defeated Benfica 4-2.

Two Dries Mertens finishes either side of a Arkadiusz Milik penalty put the Partenopei four to the good. Wingers Goncalo Guedes and Eduardo Salvio grabbed consolations for the Eagles, but they eventually headed back to Portugal empty handed.

Two free-kicks were all that Besiktas and Dynamo Kyiv could muster as they drew 1-1 at the Vodafone Arena. Ricardo Quaresma struck the first blow for the Turkish side, and Viktor Tsygankov tapped in the Ukrainians’ set piece to rescue a point.

Onto Group C and manager Pep Guardiola dropped his first points as Manchester City boss as his side drew 3-3 at Celtic.

Brendan Rodgers’ men took a shock lead less than five minutes into the game, with Moussa Dembele scrambling home from close-range following an intricate free-kick routine. City gained their retribution soon after though, as Fernandinho fired Guardiola’s side level.

The game showed no sign of slowing down, as Celtic re-took the lead before the 20-minute mark. Kieran Tierney’s shot deflected off Raheem Sterling to beat goalkeeper Claudio Bravo at his near post. Again, Celtic’s lead didn’t last long, as Sterling made amends by netting at the other end.

Straight after the interval, Dembele put the hosts in front again with an incredible overhead kick. Once more, Celtic’s advantage was short lived, with Nolito levelling it at 3-3.

Mixed emotions for Sterling after scoring one own goal and conceding an own goal – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

FC Barcelona struggled without Lionel Messi, but managed to muster a 2-1 win at Borussia Monchengladbach. Just like at Celtic Park, the home side stunned Europe by going in front. Thorgan Hazard rounded off a lightning quick counter attack to put Die Folhen ahead.

However, second-half strikes from Arda Turan and Gerard Pique broke Borussia hearts, as Barca achieved a narrow victory.

And finally in Group D, Atletico Madrid enjoyed a narrow 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in a repeat of last year’s semi-final. Yannick Carrasco opened his account for the season with a wonderful far post finish in the first-half. Antoine Griezmann missed a late penalty for Atleti, but Diego Simeone’s side held on to move to the top of Group D.

FC Rostov and PSV Eindhoven chalked up their first points in Group D following a 2-2 draw. Dmitriy Poloz twice put Rostov ahead, but Davy Propper and Luuk De Jong replied for the visitors.