Champions League, UEFA Cup

Woah! Arsenal v Barca then eh? Different ways of looking at that one - 1. Oh fuck this is impossible, 2. What a fucking game we've got on our hands, 3. Thank fuck we didn't get Utd and 4. Let's fuck these guys up! Stating the bleeding obvious this is a tough tough tie for the Gunners, Barca are the defending champions and probably the best team on the planet right now. Somehow we've got to stop Messi while keeping an eye on Henry, Ibra, Xavi, Iniesta and many more, while making sure we stick the ball in the net a few times ourselves. To be fair we've had some pretty kind draws in recent memory, Porto could have been worse, Villareal in the quarters last season, Roma the round before that, so we're almost due a big one like this. It'll be 2 teams playing similar systems, similar styles of football and just going for it, the 2 games will be a pleasure to watch. It's not the forgone conclusion that some voices have already suggested, we've got plenty that can hurt them too, their defence (like ours) is the shakiest part of their game, so it will probably come down to who defends the best over the two legs. There are naturally some interesting subplots beginning to rumble, it's a rematch of the 2006 final where we led for so long, but in the end never really felt that we got a proper shot at the big boys because of the red card for Mad Jens. We've got Henry coming back to North London, something that I don't particularly expect him to relish, as his love for the club is so much and so emotional that his head might not be quite right, we'll see. One man who I don't think will be feeling such emotions with be Fabregas, from memory he's had some slightly dodgy things to say about his time at Barca, how he wasn't looked after properly and never felt loved etc etc, no question that the Camp Nou leg will be massive for him though. Looking further afield we're on the same side of the draw as Inter and CSKA, you can't imagine anything other than Inter progressing but this season has seen some strange results so you never know. Utd face a tough trip to Bayern, the old dark horse of the tournament, but again they are favourites particularly because they play the 2nd leg at home (a luxury not afforded to Arsenal), and they'll be delighted to find either Lyon or Bordeaux waiting for them in the semi final. All 3 of Utd's big dangers are kept apart on the other side of the draw. Some super football to look forward to over the next month or so, here's hoping for an Arsenal v Utd final in May.

I watched some UEFA Cup last night (no, I won't acknowledge it's new stupid name) mainly because I had nothing better to do, but I'm mighty glad that I did now. Much respect has to go out to Fulham who have made it through to the quarters (where they meet Wolfsburg) after a thrilling night at Craven Cottage. After going 1-0 down to the mighty Juve in just 2 minutes, Fulham were 70-1 to go through, but they defied the bookies with a storming 4-1 comeback. Super goal from Dempsey, Zamora was unplayable (so much so Cannavaro decided to stop playing all together) and great finishes from Gera have put Hodgson firmly back on the map. If Arsene Wenger knocked it on the head tomorrow morning I couldn't think of a better candidate than the old boy. Liverpool followed Fulham into the last 8 (a tie with Benfica) with a 3-0 win over Lille, a score line which flattered them to be honest. If Eden Hazard had put away the chance he should have done then it may well have all gone horribly wrongly. The match was surrounded by some quite incredible quotes coming out of Spain, claiming that Albert Riera (another of Rafa's failed 5-10million purchases) had been mouthing off about Benitez and what a shit manager he is. Far from me to disagree with the reasonable views of Riera, but buddy, really?! You're gonna slag off your CURRENT boss, to the SPANISH press? Really? What an idiot.

Off to the Emirates for Arsenal v West Ham tomorrow, so I'll blog ya on Sunday. Take her easy.