Arsenal are going to win the Champions League.

There you go, I’ve said it. A bold and possibly controversial declaration but one I felt compelled to make.

What, you may ask, is the basis for such a prediction? Well, let’s just call it a gut feeling. I realise, of course, that on paper Wenger’s team probably shouldn’t win, but football, just like real life, rarely lives up to expectations.

And this game will be no different.

Barcelona do have the better team. Of that there can be no doubt. And in Ronaldinho they have the world’s best player although, in my opinion, he is very closely followed by Henry.

Yet Barca’s perceived superiority will go out of the window when the match kicks off because this is a clash between two teams who both play fluid, free-flowing, attacking football.

Both sides love to take one touch and pass the ball at speed and with accuracy. And with both teams having that sort of approach to the game it makes them much more equal than they would otherwise be.

Of course that still doesn’t explain why Arsenal will win. And, to be honest, I can’t give you a valid explanation of why I am so sure they will. But instinct tells me it will be the day of the underdogs.

One thing is for certain, we have the making of a classic on our hands tonight. A game that could well and truly go down in history as one of the all-time greats.

Henry vs Ronaldinho, Arsenal vs Barcelona, football vs football.

Looking forward to it big time.

The FA Cup

If there is anyone who doubts the FA Cup is still the world’s most magical domestic competition then last Saturday’s final must have dispelled those uncertainties once and for all.

A six-goal thriller with top-class extra time and an heroic penalty shoot-out surely made it one of the best finals of all time and, because of that, it was genuinely sad that either team had to end up losing.

But credit to Liverpool who showed that they are a side that simply don’t know when they are beaten. And extra special credit to Steven Gerrard who played a captain’s game of the very highest order.

If Benitez’s side intend to make a habit out of conceding three goals in major finals but then going on to win on penalties then it is all the better for us neutrals.

However, I think you may have the seen the last of a number of the Liverpool players who took part in Saturday’s game as the Spanish boss continues rebuilding the team into one which can challenge at the very top.

Personally I don’t think lads like Hamman, Kewell, Morientes and Hypia will still be at the club when the new season kicks off – all good players but players who I can see making way for some new faces.

And with a slice of luck one or two of them will end up at Bramall Lane. Yeah, right…

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