Mixed Emotions

The Champions League returned this week and once again the English Premier League sent a full contingent of 4 teams into the group stage to compete against the continent's finest clubs. And MSK Zilina.

But how did they do? Well, you impatient swine, if you just keep reading you will find out. Jeez.

Arsenal (6-0 win over SC Braga of Portugal)

This result could easily be shrugged off with a few pertinent facts. This was Braga's first ever Champions League 'proper' fixture; they offered little to no resistance once Arsenal found the early break-through; and they made the fatal error of allowing the Gunners space to express themselves. But express themselves they did.

This was at times a sensational display of football by Wenger's men. There is no need to read into what it might mean for their season - much sterner tests will follow and it is on these that this side will be ultimately judged - but there is every reason to heap praise on the brand of football demonstrated to such devastating effect at the Emirates last night.

It is when you watch Arsenal (and, of course, their older, stronger, smarter and better-looking brother Barcelona) that you remember why football is known as the Beautiful Game. Anyone who strolled past my living room last night may have had serious concerns about what was going on in there due to the sounds emanating - but their passing, touch and movement is pretty much Football Porn.

As mentioned, the real test for this team will come later in the season when they will need to avoid their increasingly commonplace Springtime capitulation, but for the time being it is just great to watch a team capable of such glorious football.

The final word has to go to Cesc Fabregas. at the peak of his game for so long, it is ridiculous to realise that he is only 23. Arguably the best player in England, if he was English he would have been knighted about 4 years ago and would now run a coalition government with D-Beck. Phenomenal player and surely the heir to the maestro Xavi Hernandez.

Chelsea (1-4 win over MSK Zilina of Slovakia)

Did you ever have that feeling as a kid when you start running down a hill, and then you hit the point where actually you are in no control of your legs and you are reaching speeds that you never knew existed? That unstoppable and destructive momentum is Chelsea right now, with one key difference.

The kid is about to go arse over elbow and part ways with a significant percentage of his skin. Chelsea meanwhile show no signs of stopping their relentless path of destruction; like the Juggernaut in Duel, they just keep going and going and going.

This game was done and dusted inside 30 minutes as Ancelotti's men cruised into a 3-0 lead. ITV's pundits tried to highlight problems and focussed on Petr Cech, but given that they have conceded only twice all season, this is arguably somewhat harsh.

It is difficult to look past Chelsea to be serious contenders for every competition they enter this year. The addition of Benayoun looks in these early stages to be a success - his vision to set up Sturridge was exceptional - and the fact that Ancelotti is increasingly placing faith in young players suggests a healthy balance at the club.

Zilina did not disgrace themselves and will provide competition for their remaining Group F rivals, but Chelsea should be expected to cruise through the group stage and will have serious designs on reaching Wembley many times in 2011.

Man United (0-0 draw at home to Rangers)

The very essence of a gamble is that there is an inherent risk involved. The bigger the gamble, the less likely it is to come off - but the greater the rewards if it does.

Alex Ferguson put faith in what was almost a second string team - albeit one littered with talent throughout - in a decision that he will not have seen as a massive gamble. He would have expected these players to find a way through the Rangers defence, and the pay-off is keeping some key players fresh ahead of Sunday's clash with Liverpool.

A 0-0 draw suggests the gamble did not pay off. Combine into the mix the fact that Luis Valencia suffered an ankle injury that has ruled him out for most of the season, and this goes down as a very bad night for Fergie et al.

Bottom line however is that United will qualify from this group, most likely as winners unless Valencia continue their impressive start. They did not lose this match, and Rangers adopted such uber-defensive tactics that a failure to break through is understandable if not ideal. If United go on to beat Liverpool and then top Group C, this result will not be seen in the apocalyptic light that the tabloids have chosen to paint it in...but Valencia may well disagree with me.

Tottenham Hotspur (2-2 away at Werder Bremen)

A paradox in football is that one single result can be interpreted and viewed in many different ways. (Wait, is that a paradox? Maybe. Anyway, moving on...)

Tottenham have come away from a tricky tie in their first ever Champions League group match with a point, and have played well to earn that point, and had chances to claim all three. And yet they are disappointed.

Had Spurs found themselves rocked by 2 early Bremen goals, with the young Polish left winger tearing them to shreds every time he got the ball and the awkward lanky German forward causing all manner of problems, they would be utterly delighted to have clawed their way back into the game and ultimately salvaged a point.

The fact that it happened in reverse and Twitchy McArse's men threw away a 2 goal lead has left them feeling despondent about what could have been. They should refelct on this as a promising debut and a platform on which to build. Inter will be a different kettle of fish, but at least they are on level pegging and have every right to be optimistic.

And there, ladies and gentlemen, is the paradox. Same result, a 2-2 draw, yet resultant in different emotions.

(Hmm. Still not sure if that counts? Let me know!!)