Celtic crashed out of Europe after a 3-0 defeat to AC Milan in their Champions League Group H clash at Parkhead. With Ajax beating Barcelona 2-1 at the Amsterdam ArenA, the Scottish champions do not even have the safety net of the Europa League this season. Brazilian star Kaka put the visitors ahead in the 13th minute when he headed a Valter Birsa corner past Hoops goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk missed a sitter at the start of the second half when he blasted a shot straight at Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, a minute before Rossoneri defender Cristian Zapata made it 2-0 from close range. Mario Balotelli, in one of his more productive moods, scored a third with a drive on the hour mark to compound the misery of the home side who were made to pay for missing several chances. Celtic remain bottom of the pool with three points from five games and their final fixture at the Nou Camp next month will be for pride only.
Jack Wilshere scored both goals as Arsenal beat Marseille 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium to all but secure a place in the knockout stages. England midfielder Wilshere showed no signs of any fatigue as he swept the Barclays Premier League leaders ahead after just 28 seconds. Although club-record signing Mesut Ozil missed a first-half penalty, another close-range effort from Wilshere made sure of victory to keep the Gunners top of Group F. A draw on matchday six away to Napoli, who lost 3-1 at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, will now see Arsene Wenger's men qualify in first place and seeded for the last 16 - or indeed even a defeat could also be enough to go through on head-to-head record and goal difference.
Chelsea qualified for the knockout stages despite a limp performance as they were beaten by Basle for a second time in Group E. Mohamed Salah's fine goal three minutes from time earned Basle a deserved 1-0 victory at St Jakob Park and completed a double over Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, who had travelled to Switzerland needing just a point to advance and a win to claim top spot in the pool. However, Schalke's 0-0 draw at Steaua Bucharest means the Blues advance to the last 16 ahead of the December 11 meeting at home to the Romanians.
