I’m not a gambling man, mainly because I don’t earn enough and sport always throws up some off the wall results – the FA Cup 6th round being a good example.

However, I might start having the occasional punt as there are some things in sport and in life that are just so bleedin’ predictable. Call me paranoid but couldn’t any Gooner have predicted that draw today?? Eight teams left; four English, four continental and of those four only one has a chance of getting to Moscow.

Arsenal were only ever going to get Barca or another English team and so it came to pass that the Axis of Evil (Moan Utd & Chelski) drew, respectively, The Rose & Crown Hackney C team (under 16’s) and Corinthian Casuals reserves (under 12’s). And to rub salt into our wounds, both members of the Axis of Evil play their second leg at home whilst we have to face Liverpool, the team with the best European record over the past four seasons. I’m off now to buy a Fenerbahce shirt from Ahmed, my local dry cleaner who’s a mad fan!

Looking at how the ties will probably pan out – Arsenal will have to defeat all three other members of the English top four or once again face Barca in the Final. That is a very tall order but can we do it? You bloody bet we can but I would have fancied our chances much more playing against European opposition as our game is much more suited to that.

A lot will depend on the referees, not so much against the Scousers but certainly in the latter stages. If all English ties against the Sons of Satan are refereed to a European standard, Arsenal’s patient football should come out on top. I can’t believe I’m so positive after that draw!

We have now got a maximum of 14 games left this season, of which eight could be against the other top four teams. And they used to call us Lucky Arsenal!!

I’m proud of what Arsene and our young team have achieved this season, whatever happens between now and Sunderland / Moscow.