More Obscure facts - Round II (fight!)

Again, simple stuff really with a few tricky ones thrown in.

There was an unlikely winner of Ligue 1 in 1998. What was more remarkable was that this team was inspired by an unlikely duo who did not feature in that summer's World Cup. The first would have gone but The Czech Republic team missed out. The latter was dropped from the Yugoslavia squad days before the final squad was announced. Name the team and both players.

Name the big Welsh striker sold by Arsene Wenger in his first season. Yes, he used to play for Arsenal.

Name the team that the above player was sold to and name his fellow strike partner, who followed him there a year later.

Milan finished 11th and 10th in 2 turbulent, confused seasons in the mid-late nineties. Right after winning the Scudetto in 1996 they hired a lesser known Uruguayan Manager who lasted barely a month before Sacchi was brought back. Name the unlucky chap.

We all know Patrick Vieira used to play for Milan before being 'rescued' and brought to North London by Arsene Wenger. Which other famous midfield warrior, a contemporary of Vieira's, also languished at Milan around the same time, before going on to flourish elsewhere ?

Staying at Milan, in typical fashion, after 2 barren years, they signed a Manager and 2 players from fellow Serie A team Udinese in 1998. All 3 were crucial as Milan romped to the Scudetto in 1999. Name all three.

Champions' League final 1998, Real beat Juventus by a solitary goal. Who scores it ? Now for extra credit, the same player would miss a crucial, late penalty in the subsequent World Cup in a knockout game with the scores tied 1-1. Name the opposing team.

We all know Arsenal won the Premiership title going unbeaten in 2003-04. But they came very close to achieving that same record when they won the title once before. What year was this and how many games did they lose then ?

Lazio, won the Italian League and Cup double in 2000, but who were the last team before that to win both in the same year in Italy ? Name the team and year.

Staying in Italy, name the unlikely winner of the Copa Italia in 1997.

Juventus won the Champions' League in 1996, Borussia Dortmund won it in 1997. Intriguingly, there were was one player who started both games, and won both. Name him.

Inter came within a whisker of winning the Serie A title in 2001-2002 before losing a tense, tight game on the last day of the season that allowed Juventus, who else, to pip them to the title. Whom did they lose that game to ?

Finally, Basketball player Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers is a fan of a Serie A team, having grown up there. Name the team. For extra credit, name the position he claims he grew up playing in football.

Liverpool trounced Arsenal 4 - 1 at Anfield.

It would seem Arsene Wenger has lost his dressing room.

It would seem Arsenal's players no longer care.

More disturbingly, it would seem Wenger can't turn it around.

The only Arsenal players who seemed to be up for it were William Gallas and Kolo Toure. And even they were horrendously sloppy and casual in their positioning. Arsenal seemed like jello right from the start and looked like crumbling anytime a decent ball was played in. That they did concede off Liverpool's first attack only lent more credence to the notion that Arsenal had turned up merely in body but not in mind. Few tried, fewer cared to try. Wenger and Rice were clueless and static on the sidelines

Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch were turned into world beaters. Wenger once again started Julio Baptista which makes one wonder if he watches the same games the rest of us do. I doubt having Henry or Van Persie available would have made much fo a difference. The midfield was absent, the attacking fulcrum invisible.

 

Once a team that could effortlessly create chances and score, Arsenal have now become a geriatric team of sideways passers and cul-de-sac runners. Not once did you think that Arsenal were going to score. It seemed the players had given up as well.

We need a new system, a new engine and a complete overhaul of the attitude. And Baptista needs to go. Players need to stop worrying about losing possession off a forward pass. Attacking intent allied with positive moves reap rewards in the end. Possession is good only if you do something with it - otherwise it's just a lot of running and passing the ball square.

Direct. Liverpool were direct. Chelsea and United have been direct. Arsenal are not. Arsenal have stopped being direct.  Adebayor's headers were the only time it looked as if Arsenal would score a goal they meant.

 

Chelsea have to visit Ashgrove. Will Arsenal lose their unbeaten home record then ? Someone needs to stem the rot. Can Wenger do it ? More importantly, do any of the players care ? Or have they all gone on vacation ?

Then there were 8.

Aggregate Scores:
Valencia 2 - 2 Inter (away goals)
Liverpool 2 - 2 Barcelona (away goals)
Bayern 4 - 4 Real (away goals)
Man U 2 - 0 Lille
Arsenal 1 - 2 PSV
Lyon 0 - 2 Roma
Chelsea 2 - 1 Porto
Milan 1 - 0 Celtic

Revisiting predictions is often a very humbling experience as it reveals how wrong or how badly off you were about something. Picking over the deadwood following last night's second legs, one wonders if the cream of the crop has been knocked out, replaced instead by gritty veterans, savvy of the perils of the knockout stage.

After the streetwise Valencia knocked out the arguably more talented Inter in a stranglehold in the second leg, Liverpool, Europe's most enigmatic team, produced a throughly dominant performance to knockout defending champions Barcelona. Both ties were decided on away goals. Both winners performed better at home but got the result that mattered in the away leg.

Valencia's game with Inter finished scoreless but the Spanish team had more chances and could have put the tie away. Their late goals in Milan ensured progression but it was no less than they deserved. The only blemish on a thoroughly absorbing tie was the disgusting violence that broke out at the end. UEFA should ensure David Navarro gets banned for a ridiculous piece of on field thuggery. Nicolas Burdisso must be feeling doubly sore - the pain from a broken nose adding to the disappointment of getting knocked out. Europe will be poorer with Inter's absence - although predictably their exit will be greeted with jeers in Italy who regard this as proof that Inter are getting a free run in Serie A.

Liverpool outclassed Barcelona at Anfield with ample chances to bury their visitors early. Sadly, for the second time in a week, Liverpool ended up losing despite dominating an opponent at home. Good thing that they had beaten Barcelona in Spain as they too advanced on away goals. The 2-1 away win priceless for Benitez and his men. Liverpool may still be off the pace domestically, but they have developed an impressive pedigree in Europe. Barcelona, like Inter, haven't sparkled in Europe and their start stop performances have never really convinced.

Lyon, on a slide since the start of the year, ensured they tripped when presented with their best chance of going deep in the draw. After stuttering in Rome they were clinically beaten at home by Roma. Luciano Spaletti got his tactics spot on as he ensured Lyon paid for their defensive mistakes with some efficient finishing from decent chances - Arsenal are you watching yet ? Notoriously inconsistent, Roma ensured they held firm at a crucial stage of their season. Being off form is one thing but questions must be asked of Gerrard Houllier who has taken a championship outfit and made them distinctly midtable. If talismanic midfielder Juninho and attacking presence Florent Malouda leave over the summer, Lyon's era of dominance may be truly over.

Lille out-muscled Manchester United again in a good performance on the field that doesn't deserve their childish behavior off of it. United, though have ensured this season that they take points from games despite their performance on it. They deserved their win in the tie but were run very close by Lille. The benefit of experience in your side is the presence of mind they bring when the going gets tough. Witness Giggs' smartly taken free kick in the first leg and Larsson's composed strike here. Lille have done themselves proud on the field but have let themselves down off of it. United, on the other hand, have shown that grinding out wins is not below them if the situation demands it.

Chelsea, on the other hand are the epitome of grinding out wins. Of all people, passenger of the year, Michael Ballack scored the winner after Arjen Robben drew Chelsea level. Ricardo Quaresma had scored the opener to give Porto an early lead both in the game and tie. Chelsea have come back strongly and their resilience in the Champions' League is to be admired. Jose Mourinho may claim that he is unperturbed by events on the pitch vis-a-vis his future but make no mistake - he wants to leave with Europe's top prize his, once again.

Celtic took 2003 winners Milan all the way before Kaka finally made sure one of Milan's astonishing 38 shots finally went in. Throughout the match Milan thrust but Celtic parried. Having played better in the home leg, Celtic were always up against it in Milan but they kept their more illustrious opponents at bay for almost 120 minutes. In the end it was only a moment of brilliance from one of Milan's stars that separated the two sides. That's all.

I was extremely skeptical of the fare that Real Madrid and Bayern Munich would serve up but they proved me wrong as they ensured their tie was the most absorbing. Real won the first leg 3-2 but then Bayern triumphed 2-1 in the second to go though on away goals - the third team to do so in the round. 8 goals all round with even a scuffle thrown in. Bayern's favorite midfield nuisance Mark Van Bommel tussling with Real's new nuisance - Mahamaddou Diarra. Both promptly got sent off.

Finally, Arsenal ensured that once again, they would end their Champions' League campaign earlier than it should have with a classic combination of defensive lapses and offensive impotency. Few teams in the last decade would have lost this tie to PSV having created the number of chances Arsenal did. Results have rarely mirrored performance for Arsenal and this season that discrepancy has reached an all time gap. PSV, soldiered on without doing anything special, 3 real shots on goal in 120 minutes and they go into the draw for the last eight.

Stat Wrap Up.
There are no representatives from Group G (Porto, Arsenal) and Group E (Real, Lyon) left while Group C (Liverpool, PSV) and Group D (Valencia, Roma) still have both their representatives going strong. In the 16 games, 3 were scoreless, a further 5 were 1-0 affairs and only 2 games featured more than 3 goals. Chelsea, Bayern and PSV are the only domestic champions left. 3 ties were decided on away goals. Milan, Roma and Manchester United did not concede a goal. Meanwhile Lille, Lyon and Arsenal didn't have a single goalscorer in their ranks this round. Inter went out despite not losing. 29 goals were scored in 16 games - less than 2 a game - 8 of them came in the Real-Bayern tie. Arsenal and Lyon are the only group winners who didn't make it.

Goal of the round:
Mancini's 'step'over Lyon.

Team of the round over both legs:
4-4-1-1
Gomes; Riise, Albiol, Lucio, Carragher; Silva, Deco, Cambiasso, Robben; Totti; Raul

Gracious Loser: Gerrard Houllier - he knows when he's truly beaten.

Stupid Comment: Jamie "Best night in Europe" Carragher. What about that win over Milan 2 years ago ? Stick to letting your football do the talking Carra.

Moron Award: David Navarro

Special mention for consistent Dejavu: Arsenal. Stick. ball. in. net.

Do-nothing-but-still-notch-2-goals award: Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Scrappy to the very end.

PSV 1 - 0 Arsenal

Arsenal's insistence on doing things the hard way was highlighted yet again as they picked a rather inopportune time to slip to their first defeat of 2007. Despite marginally outshooting their Dutch opponents overall and arguably dominating the first half they left the Philipstadion nursing a 1-0 defeat. PSV, missing half their top striking partnership in the form of an injured Jefferson Farfan, made the most of their opportunities and sealed a good win over their opponents from London. Despite leading the Eredivisie there has been a lack of imperious authority about PSV's performances since the start of the new year. This win should serve as a filip for reigniting the dominance that saw them soar in 2006 and race to a handy lead in the race for domestic honours.

On a day when their attack was a little disjointed, their talismanic rearguard came through with flying colours. Brazilians Gomes, in goal, and centre-half Alex, gave a clinic on positioning and snuffing out attacking threats as they ensured Arsenal's attack kept another clean sheet. Gomes' close range stop from Thierry Henry's turn and shot was crucial in setting the tone of the contest and he ensured that no one and nothing got past him. On the one occasion that Tomas Rosicky's shot eluded him, Carlos Salcido cleared off the line. In a nutshell that summed up the performance for Arsenal. Ronald Koeman managed to get an off colour PSV team to perform much better than the sum of it's parts. PSV might not dazzle and destroy but can make the odd period of dominance pay off in spectacular fashion. A quality oddly lacking in their opponents on the day.

Admittedly the game was unremarkable and Edison Mendez's strike, from 25 yards out, was comfortably the pick of the day's goals. Yet if Arsenal's season extinguishes itself in the next 2 weeks, games like this will surely serve to highlight their weaknesses. Their complete lack of consistent attacking inventiveness around the box has come back to haunt them time and again yet there seems to end in sight. Against Blackburn one could argue that a wall of 7 defenders around the 6 yard box made things very hard. But PSV offer more optimistic fare and there was plenty of space for Arsenal to push through. Yet the space around the backline was wasted and there was a worrying lack of urgency to the proceedings.

Emmanuel Adebayor, strangely off-colour, was left on for the whole game when a more enterprising approach would surely have replaced him with Jeremie Aliaderie from the bench. In the event Wenger resorted to throwing on the clumsy Julio Baptista who only served to confirm that his future lies away from the Gunners. Thierry Henry's morbid mercurialness plumbed new depths as he seemed to give up and not care once his first 2 shots didn't go in. His pathetic claims of being hit in the face when he was pushed was matched only by his general apathy to the cause. Wenger needs to take a stand. For every game that Henry plays brilliantly, there follows a spate in which he's unremarkably rubbish. This is not captaincy material.

One only look at Timmy Simons's game to see how far hard work and grit gets you when the chips don't fall your way. Along with a seemingly evergreen Phillip Cocu, they managed to keep a much more gifted Arsenal midfield at bay the whole game. With Salcido and Manuel Da Costa putting in solid shifts at the the back, PSV strove to ensure that when they were in the ascendancy, for the first part of the second half, they got results. Crucially, Mendez's arrival for Aruna Kone's layoff, was a couple of yards away from Gilberto. Positioning was the defining aspect of this tie.

Still, this tie is far from over, Arsenal can easily overcome this deficit at home - but they have to be wary of conceding away goals off counter-attacks despite dominating - the hallmark of their season so far. Arsenal will be wary of a repeat of their elimination at the hands of Valencia in 2001 - on away goals despite winning 2-1 at home (albeit in the first leg). And Farfan should be back - PSV will look to seal the deal.

There's life in this corpse yet
Real 3 - 2 Bayern

It is decidedly ironic that the 2 worst teams remaining in the draw should serve up the best game of the round. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have won the competition 13 times between them but are outside bets for this year's title. Both are in need of new personnel, retooling and a fresh approach. Whereas Bayern have already replaced their coach, rumous emanating from the Bernebeu suggested that Real were about to do the same.

In the event, both teams got down to play some serious ball and served up a trully thrilling contest. Raul's opener came from the sweetest move of the night as a through ball from Ruud van Nistelrooy (of all people) found Raul beyond Bayern's creaking backline. The latter's finish was clinical more than clean and for the upteenth time this season, Bayern had been opened up by some clever pacy passing. Daniel van Buyten's lack of positional sense (or lack thereof) and unease against pace has surely come to signify his possible departure from the Bayern starting XI once a genuine contender emerges.

Lucio on the other hand is a hard working defender who, for all his limited ability, never has a really rank game. His arrival to meet Willy Sagnol's free kick, unmarked was completed with the easy header into Real's net for the equalizer. One felt Real were ripe for the taking. However, David Beckham of all people ensured that Real had plenty left in the tank. 2 set piece plays - one a corner and the other a free kick - found Raul and van Nistelrooy respectively. 2 scrappy finishes later Real were leading 3 - 1. If Gonzalo Higuain had converted after being sent clear by Beckham, Real may have sealed the game early in the second half. In the event, Higuain missed, got substituted and Fabio Capello lost his nerve. Not happy with having brought on the defensive midfielder Michael Salgado for Higuain, he then took wingback Roberto Carlos off for a pure defender in Raul Bravo. Carlos had earlier taken out Owen Hargreaves, who suffered another ankle injury - Manchester United will watch developments closely no doubt.

Eventually, Bayern came back strongly, Van Bommel's shot from outside the box, eluding Casillas, was the least they deserved. The jury may still be out on Gonzalo Higuain but I've made up my mind - he's not that good. In time he may become an above average forward in Spain but at present he's out of his depth. For Bayern, Lukas Podolski and Roy Makaay were typically anaemic for the upteenth time this season. Claudio Pizarro, who came on for the former, shone briefly but did little to convince that he can carry Bayern's attack. Unable to work themselves into games, Bayern's attacking corps need to be euthanised sooner than later. Bastian Schweinsteiger was notably anonymous, hounded throughout by Fernando Gago, who was preferred to the diabolical Emerson, in the Real backfield. Whereas his contribution outshone his compatriot Higuain's, Bayern will not be quaking in their boots for the return leg. For Real it is a damning indictment of their lack of personnel that Beckham, who leaves at the end of the season, was their attacking fulcrum.

Even though Real won, the 3-2 scoreline would, at best, be described as pyrrhic. In a week's time they return to Bavaria.

2003 - Milan 0 - 0 Juventus (Milan win on penalties)

I had a hangover from the night before as I settled into my buddy's leather sofa to watch this. The Milan Inter semi-final had been tense and the evil empire of Juve loomed large in the final.

My first thoughts as the game kicked off - wow the pitch at Old Trafford looks beautiful, flat, smooth and well manicured. Juve looked less so - seemingly more intent on keeping Sheva and Rui Costa underwraps and stifling Milan than going out and actually trying to win the match. Shevchenko DID score and I will always maintain that it was a goal - but strangely it was ruled offside - rubbish. In retrospect I can try and attribute some of it to Moggipoli but I doubt his influence reached that far into the game. Gattuso was his usual bulldog self, bulldozing everything that moved in a jailhouse shirt. One shot from him from within his own half had to be palmed away by Buffon. Trezequet hung around in the box and off the backline waiting just waiting for a scrap. He got none. At the other end Inzaghi ran and ran and ran some more but did nothing. Once Ambrosini came on for Rui Costa I knew it was going to be penalties.

That livened things up and fittingly Sheva stroked home the winning spot kick. Everyone celebrated, I was finally fully awake - albeit in a warm fuzzy way. At this point hilarity ensured. Christian Brocchi, who hadn't played the final and had done precious little the whole tournament, grabbed the trophy and paraded it around Old Trafford as if he had singlehandedly won the damn thing. The bemused looks on Maldini and Inzaghi's faces were priceless - not to mention the one of pure joy on little Christian's face. I laughed so hard. I'm still laughing right now.

2004 - Porto 3 - 0 Monaco

First Arsenal somehow managed to lose 3-2 to Chelsea in the QF. Then Milan had let Depor wallop 4 past them to lose 5-4 in their QF. My dream Arsenal - Milan final was off. So, needless to say, I was more than a little disenchanted at watching Porto take on Monaco. I was still pining and had little interest in watching either. But watch I did and I was glad for it afterwards.

It was a good final. Porto manhandled Monaco. Their forward pressing, defensive coverage and all round organisation too much for Monaco. And they had Deco. One moment I remember was, Maniche of all people, dekeing out both Ludovic Giuly and Jerome Rothen in the middle of the park before passing the ball off to Deco who proceeded to dazzle and deke some more. From start to finish Porto were all over Monaco. From start to finish I kept thinking of Arsenal and Wayne 'blooming' Bridge. Watching Chelsea now it's hard to believe that a Mourinho coached team can actually play like this. I knew Deco would be off (he went to Barcelona); I didn't expect Giuly to join him.

This final was special in that it is the only final we'll ever see again that featured 2 teams from outside the established group of 14 big clubs. And for that, it should be remembered.

2005 - Liverpool 3 - 3 Milan (Liverpool win on penalties)

Wow - what a final. Arguably the best Champions' League final in terms of sheer excitement and goals. Once Maldini scored I had this creepy feeling that the game would taper off and die an effete death. Then Crespo scored. And scored again. 2 swift finishes from some sweet midfield passing. I had this warm feeling inside and decided to go back to work after halftime - having taken a late lunch

Halftime ended, I thought, 'you know what? 10 more minutes'. Then Gerrard scored. I thought 'you know what? let's just wait till the end'. Then Smicer scored and I got this sinking feeling. How that ball went in I'll never know. And then Gerrard crumpled easily in the box and I knew Milan were fooked. Alonso muffed the shot but Milan were static on the rebound and he rushed to convert. Thereafter I could not believe how Dudek kept out Milan and especially Sheva's shot at the end of extra time. There has never been such all round defensive ineptitude in a final and never will be again.

Penalties were nerve wracking and once Smicer converted his kick, I knew the comeback was complete. As circular as things are in football - 2 years after scoring the winning penalty, Shevchenko missed the decisive one this time.

2006 - Barcelona 2 - 1 Arsenal

The trick to English clubs winning the Champions' League final is to spot the opposition a goal or three and then mount a comeback. Arsenal obviously missed that class because instead of handing them a goal advantage they let Barcelona go a man up and then actually took the lead.

After having waited my whole life to see the Gunners reach the final I was determined not to let Lehmann's sending off spoil my mood. Playing 1-0 down with 11 men seemed a lot worse than leading 1-0 with 10 once Campbell got his head onto the end of Henry's free kick and scored. I was ecstatic. But I will admit it was a dive by Eboue. Still Rooney's dive cost us our unbeaten run and Barca dive plenty so I wasn't unduly morally shocked.

Beating the best team in the world with 11 men is hard enough - beating them with 10 is nigh impossible. Atleast we held out for 75 minutes. Arsenal were better in losing than many teams are in winning and we battled and fought right to the end. If Henry had taken his chance when he turned in Eboue's cross things would have been over much earlier.

I actually thought the opening goal would be enough but once Larsson came on he changed things. First, Samuel Eto'o scored a good goal at the far post. I felt Almunia should have gotten something onto it as he was in position but hey it's Eto'o. Belletti's goal though was a shocker - it went off the inside of Almunia' leg. What the bloody hell. Perhaps it would have been better if Lehmann had stayed on.

Still I couldn't complain - Barcelona had beaten us fair and square and it was a good final I guess. I was proud of Arsenal. I knew they'd be back.

Part 1 of 2.

We're in the final home stretch leading up to the first legs of the knockout round, here's a look at where all the various contestants stand. The engines are revving in the pit lane and we're about to embark on the warm up lap - the last few matches before they square off Feb 20/21. Who's hot, who's not and who's still looking for a working clutch pedal - or in Lyon's case a functional, healthy strikeforce. (All stats since the new year and accurate upto Friday Feb 9 2007.)

Running Smooth:

INTER
6 wins 1 draw overall. In 4 cup ties: 1 home win 1 home draw 2 away wins.

It seems the only thing preventing Inter from officially claiming the Serie A title is the suspension of the domestic championship. Luckily for Inter the Champions' League is more resilient to fan violence and considerably better supported financially. If the only worries for Roberto Mancini come matchday is whom to omit from the bench, he'll be content. Keeping this squad motivated, hungry and focussed is trickier than it may seem.. especially when you consider that one of Europe's other form teams, Valencia, pose their hardest test this year in the round of 16.

VALENCIA
4 wins 1 draw 2 losses overall. In 2 cup ties: 1 home loss 1 away draw.

Whereas the minor blip in the league against Betis can be put down to an away day blue (not so rare) in the notoriously cut-throat Primera Liga, more worrying for Quique Flores will be the elimination at the hands of Getafe. Madrid's third team is one of the tightest defensive units in the league and more akin to Inter than anyone else Valencia will meet this season. The prognosis was not good. The Kings' Cup may not rank high on Valencia's list or priorities this season but the Champions' League surely does, anything less than 100% against Inter and their continental adventure could be over by the first week of March.

CHELSEA
7 wins 2 draws overall. In 4 cup ties: 3 home wins 1 away draw.

The sludge in the engine remains, some may say in the bulky frame of Ballack. Their wins have been barely functional and hardly imperious - but they've still been victories - and the hallmark of a good team is the ability to grind out a win even when not on song. Chelsea have regressed in the year since they last got knocked out by Barcelona, but they still pose a potent threat to anyone left in the draw. Now, they've gotten their defence back, as a bonus, Ballack has been injured in an International friendly. If only we could all lose dead weight from the middle that easily.

MANCHESTER UNITED
5 wins 1 draw 1 loss overall. In 2 cup ties: 2 homes wins.

They are the form team of the Premiership at the moment - churning out victories with refreshing and often ridiculous ease. Larsson's acquisition have given them further depth up front and Saha's return will boost them further. Their team is firing on all cylinders and all parts seem to be gelling at just the right time - from Vidic at the back to Ronaldo and Giggs on the wings.

Ferguson's only worry will be United's lack of cutting edge against teams who are not afraid of playing at them. Their defeat at Arsenal was comprehensive and for the first half hour against Spurs they were definitely outplayed. Whereas teams in the Premiership often surrender after conceding the first goal to United, their opponents in Europe will show more fight and gumption - and none more so than Lille who they face first up. The away leg of a cup tie should prove an acid test of their credentials.

Having said that though, few managers would pass on trading up with Alex Ferguson right now.

LILLE
4 wins 2 draws 1 loss overall. In 3 cup ties: 2 away wins 1 away loss.

The only team besides Arsenal and Inter who have managed multiple away wins in cup ties this calendar year - a very good statistic to have. The significance of an away win cannot be overstated enough. Cup ties on enemy turf are the most intimidating matches a team can face during a season - winning then are arguably the most impressive of the a team's season.

Lille seem to care little for reputation and will plunge themselves into any tie with relish and zest. Like a pack of young huskies who know no fear, Lille's physical approach will ruffle more than it's fair share of feathers. The injury to Mathieu Bodmer however could prove to be a serious setback - one hopes he can return in time for United. He, more than anyone symbolises the all action style of Lille.

CELTIC
6 wins overall. In 2 cup ties. 1 home win 1 away win.

Solid, well oiled, robust - they just keep winning. Celtic have made dominating in Scotland look even easier than normal. The loss of Shaun Maloney shouldn't make much difference as Celtic have enough players to compensate for his absence, with Paul Hartley's arrival ensuring that the midfield corps retains its depth and threat. Their pace against Milan's aging backline should be crucial - however their lack of matchplay against quality opposition will be telling, Dumbarton and Livingston are a far cry from teams they will meet in Europe. The irony being that no matter how good their domestic form is - it's Milan's form that will decide the tie.

Celtic should make sure they never lose that winning feeling or that winning attitude. Their tie against Milan could not come at a better time and if they do not have to travel to the San Siro for the away leg, their chances may increase substantially.

ROMA
3 wins 4 draws overall. In 4 cup ties: 2 home wins 2 away draws.

They've been efficient rather than overpowering but they've added steel to their normally inconsistent performances. Milan may be limping a little right now, but Roma's victory over them in the Coppa Italia semifinals was still a good performance. 2 legged ties are often won by winning the home leg and holding out away. Roma have shown that they can do both. Their new found resilience and the fact that their opponents Lyon are in a slump themselves may make this tie tilt a little in their favour than before.

If Totti can keep his head and their midfield can swarm the opposition, progression is definitely on the cards. Their opponents look ripe for the taking.

ARSENAL
6 wins 3 draws overall. In 5 cup ties: 2 away wins 1 home win 1 home draw 1 away draw.

Unbeaten since the new year despite an injury list that seems to grow longer even longer every time they play. Arsenal seem to have welded grit, determination and resolve to their normally turbocharged frame. The gunners have never lacked the talent or skill to be successful in Europe but have now developed a clinical resilience that makes them harder to beat. Along with Chelsea, no one has played more times since the new year and just like their west London neighbours - are still unbeaten. More Importantly, no one has played Group Phase winners more often and crucially, beaten them.

If the comeback win against United at home was stellar, their back to back wallopings of a Liverpool side at Anfield are surely the pick of the bunch. Provided Arsenal stay healthy and retain focus, a place in the quaterfinals seems likely.

Arsenal 2 - 1 Manchester United

If this was a test of belief then Arsenal passed with flying colours. Stand up Gunners every where and salute.

The Premiership's most resilient team came back on home turf to snatch a deserved win over the league leaders. Arsenal beat United at their own game of winning at the death. The trip back to the gloomy north west of England will be so much gloomier for Fergie knowing that he has lost both games against Wenger this term. How decidedly delicious it is to speculate who Ferguson will kick a boot at this time.

Chelsea may be the current team to dislodge, their temporary wealth skewing the order of things in the premiership, but make no mistake, Arsenal is the team that gives Ferguson (among others) the most joy to beat. Arsenal is the team that gives most premiership teams nightmares.

Arsenal may not win the Premiership this season but have ensured that they remain the most dangerous team in the league while playing the best football. With this come-from-behind win they have completed an impressive quintet of wins over fellow big 4 clubs this season and have accomplished the double over the Red Devils. With Chelsea to visit and a trip to Anfield remaining, one can hope to see Arsenal add to that tally. And we're still unbeaten at home. Hopefully that streak can continue. Arsene Wenger stands vindicated in both his choice of approach and his backing of the kids.

I was concerned about Gilberto's absence in the middle of the park through suspension and Ronaldo's threat down the left troubling us on the break. In the event, Flamini put in a fairly good, tough performance in Gilberto's place while Rosicky on the other hand seemed to be a little wasteful overall. The Czech maestro is more than an adept shooter from distance but his aim and timing were woefully off in this game. Even though Hleb went off to be replaced by Baptista (who was anonymous), I felt the Belarussian breadman played a good game overall. He hustled, harried, ran and tackled, with his passing often angled more vertical than horizontal, as he probed the right side of United's stall for an opening.

Fabregas was the artiste in his element. He bossed the midfield at Old Trafford, he bossed the midfield here. Michael Carrick cost close to 19 million pounds, Fabregas cost Arsenal nothing. Carrick played well as a glorified ball retriever, Fabregas gave a demonstration on being a modern midfield maestro. If passing is an art, this man is master of his craft.

Senderos kept his concentration all game and had Larsson in his pocket for most of it. How Ferguson must be wishing he had started Saha in place of the Swede. Perhaps, Wenger's comment, that he was terrified of playing the Swede, had Fergie double-guessing himself. The Swiss youngster may have struggled against the physical approach of Saha, against the wily Swede, he had a smooth game. Toure, as ever, was a champion workhorse, matched only by his opposite number, the immense Vidic, at the other end of the park. The job he has done in anchoring this young squad, is admirable.

Eboue, despite himself, kept Ronaldo fairly quiet, even managing to get the Portugese wanker/winger/winker booked out of petulant frustration. A few nervous moments with his clearances and the odd clumsy challenge aside, the Ivorian was more than competent at right back and what a sweet cross it was indeed - textbook stuff, like at the start of the season. How vindicative it must be that after selling off one of their most consistent right backs of recent times, his replacement was instrumental in both containing and overcoming the threat of the league leaders. How Redknapp must be wishing Arsenal had let the other West African right back leave.

Clichy goes from strength to strength and judging by both his contribution to Arsenal's game this season (And Cashley's contribution to Chelsea's demise), he has more then replaced the money-grabbing Englishman in both team and spirit. His pacy counterattacks were balanced evenly by his dogged defending and critical interceptions. Eric Abidal must be nervously peering over his shoulder when considering the pecking order for the Les Blues's left back position.

Henry was sulking at times and a little peripheral it seemed but just as I sensed an unwilling sense of deja-vu, the captain came up with a flick-on assist and a gutsy headed winner. Tremendous Thierry, that was fantastic. He may have seemd a little unwilling to get stuck in, but boy did he rise to the occasion (no pun intended) when it was asked of him. His first half header was an apology to centre forwards everywhere, but his second half winner was a clinic in big time delivery with the head. Va-va Voom!

You sensed that, with bringing Van Persie on, Wenger switched to a more direct style in Arsenal's attacking approach. Uptil then, like on innumerable times in the last 3 seasons, Arsenal prevaricated when a more direct approach presented itself. With the exception of Rosicky of course, but he was so woeful with his shooting, it didn't matter. Tactically there is an advantage of playing the ball back to the cavalry, arriving in numbers in and around the box, when the ball is played long to the foremost attacker. By dragging the ball back and square, it pays off, on occasion, to tee someone else up in a better situation. However, Vidic and Rio were so composed in their positioning, and Carrick was so in the way, that dragbacks inevitably resulted in the ball going back to square one in the middle of the park. I w