England Superior in Both Anglo-Italian Clashes

Arsenal fans around the world will be hoping that yesterday's penalty-scrapping victory was a case of foreshadowing the final of the Champions League this season.  The final, to be played on May 27, will be held at the Stadio Olimpico. The importance of the victory, although it was lost in regulation, will surely serve as a reminder to the Gunners of a night in which a victory was gained nonetheless. Being a supporter of the club for about seven years now, it was interesting to me that this was only the second time that I can remember being put through the agonizing pain that comes along with penalty kicks. The Gunners were just swarming with inexperience in the field of taking penalty kicks. Theo Walcott stated on Arsenal's website that it was his first time taking penalties on a Champions League-esque stage. Composure was on their minds; Nasri, Diaby, Sagna, Toure, Denilson, Theo, Van Persie, the lot. 

ESPN 360 decided to not work shortly after the second half began so I was left with hectic and sporadic updates provided by the ESPNSoccernet and Skysports staff. I am seriously flabbergasted by some of the comments by the Soccernet writer; objectivity at its worst. Who are they putting at the keyboard? Here's an example (this taken directly from Soccernet's website):

"Shoot Bendtner. Shoot him now. He's a complete muppet. Clichy runs the length of the field, slides him into the box and he can't even control a simple ball into feet. What a clown!" Really, Soccernet? Really? As robust as Bendtner's hate club is, that doesn't mean you can go off in the middle of a live commentary like that. I digress. 

Around the Champions League...

Manchester United defeated Jose and his men at the theatre of dreams with goals from Vidic and Ronaldo. Inter Milan failed to score a single goal against United despite significant efforts from Ibrahimovic and Stankovic. Manchester United join their other three partners in crime from England as the top four take on Villareal, Porto, Bayern Munich, and, oh yeah, Barcelona. 

Barcelona and Bayern Munich decided that they would score all of their goals in the round of 16 rather than saving them for later. Bayern Munich's 12-1 blitzkrieg of Sporting Lisbon made me question Lisbon's existence in football. Barcelona managed to score a solid five goals at Camp Nou with Thierry getting on the score sheet twice. The following is the list of clubs, in order of preference, that I would like Arsenal to be drawn with for the quarterfinals:

1. Villareal: The yellow submarine look to be up for another run like they had in 2006, however, their offensive threat looks to be less worrisome. Obviously, being that we're talking Champions League, every team has the capability of winning. However, Villareal would definitely be the preferred team in this scenario.

2. Porto: I put Porto second because they have beaten us before and they don't have to go far back to remember when that was; it was this year, September. The freshness of the result, also the last match that Arsenal have lost before last night's match, seems slightly imposing. 

3. Chelsea: It seems like Guus' squad are not in the mood to lose as of late, so a tie with Chelsea would be very difficult. Out of the three English teams to choose from, Chelsea would be my most preferred. They are winning matches but they're not flying away with their victories. They have been scraping out victories and edging out their opponents. Our defense has been up to it in the last 17 or 18 matches and Chelsea's attack would not be a threat too menacing. 

4. Bayern Munich: Twelve goals against any side is impressive - Munich did it on the reigning champions of Portugal. Luca Toni, Klose, Podolski, and Ribery form a dynamic goal-scoring machine. Goals have been abundant in the Munich camp, before Lisbon, Munich beat Hannover 5-1, and they can only be operating on confidence. Plus, Arsenal have not had encouraging results against the Bavarians in the past. 

5. Liverpool: The only reason I would be OK with Arsenal being drawn against Liverpool is that a sense of revenge and redemption would be a motivating factor for us. Liverpool narrowly ousted the Gunners during last season's campaign. Liverpool's 5-0 aggregate against Real Madrid is not a pretty sight for any English side to see. Liverpool are always a new team when they play Champions League football. Liverpool is like that middle-school-aged boy who is playing football with his friends at recess. Once the cute girl in the grade walks by with her friends, the boy ups his enthusiasm and desire to play well. Liverpool is that boy and the Champions League is that girl; the one with that killer smile and tan.

6. Manchester United:Picking between United and Barcelona is like choosing what form of suicide you would like. I know I'm writing on a cloud of pessimism right now, however, Rooney, Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez, Messi, Henry, Eto'o, and Xavi have all put me on the cloud. I don't question Arsenal's ability to score on any of these sides, it's the attacking form of Barca and United that brings me to my bed in need of a nap. 

7. Barcelona: They may be "mes que un club" but they are not indestructible. They have recently lost matches to Espanyol and Atletico Madrid in their domestic campaign. Lyon managed to score three times over the two matches in the knockout stage. Again, we will score against any team - guaranteed. It's Almunia, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, and Sagna, who need to be having spectacular games when we face teams of this caliber.

Injury update...

Mikael Silvestre is technically fit for Saturday but Wenger will only use him if completely necessary. Eduardo also picked up a minor groin injury during the first half of extra time which will prevent him from making an appearance on Saturday at the Emirates.

While Aston Villa shake in their boots and bite their nails, Arsenal will be hosting Blackburn on Saturday before taking on Hull City in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup on Tuesday at the Emirates.