Laughable Gordon Taylor / Arsenal's problem / Ronaldinho doing a Henry

PFA chief Gordon Taylor yesterday labelled Arsenal's victory over Real Madrid as a disappointment. The fact that Arsenal are the only British club left in the Champions League, and Arsenal's outfield cast didn't feature a single British player, dismayed the PFA chief.

Taylor said of the victory: "It's tinged with disappointment. Arsène Wenger chooses the team and has got them through and the quality is there for all to see.

"However, it would be more enjoyable if we saw Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell as part of it.

"It's a bit odd to look for the silver lining being England's players being fresh for the World Cup."

What bullshit, Gordon. Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell are unfortunately injured, and would have featured if circumstances permitted. And Arsène Wenger chooses a team based on their ability to win on the night, not based on their passports.

His job Gordon, is to ensure success for Arsenal. And that means selecting the right personnel for the job. Can anyone (except yourself) say that the Arsenal board are disappointed with the result just because an English player didn't play?

Ludicrous.

Taylor went on to comment: "It's an English club but not an English success, it's probably a greater reflection of youngsters from France and elsewhere in Europe.

"It's hard to say that it speaks volumes English football when none of the players are homegrown, it hardly a reflection on England."

Laughable at best. Where is he coming from? Perhaps he would prefer it if Arsenal were knocked out, and there were NO British clubs left? What would he say then? That he was more disappointed with Liverpool and Chelsea leaving the competition than he was with Arsenal?

The fact is, the English players had a go, but they weren't up to the task. Where were Frank Lampard and John Terry for Chelsea? Where were Peter Crouch, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher for Liverpool? Step up Mathieu Flamini, right-footed central midfielder playing left-back for Arsenal and keeping David Beckham quiet!

England's players being fresh for the World Cup? Gordon, you'd better hope they are, because you'll be blaming the foreign managers in England next if they weren't!

I was right about Arsenal when they played Real Madrid. I was worried when Arsenal couldn't kill the game off against Fulham in the first half, and when they didn't kill Madrid off in the first 10 minutes at the Bernabeu.

Finishing has been Arsenal's problem this season, and it almost proved their undoing against Madrid at Highbury. Arsenal had the bigger, better chances, but only made Casillas work 2 times out of their 14 attempts on goal.

As expected, Madrid had the majority of the possession, but Arsenal broke well and used the ball intelligently.However, there were times when I was just screaming at them to SHOOT but of course, the play hadn't gone past the 400th pass yet (sarcasm). Arsenal are frustrating that way, and Madrid got back well to defend in numbers.

The Spanish had about 3 players marking Henry, but he still proved to be Arsenal's main threat, almost bagging a hat-trick if his finishing had been better on the night.

Ronaldinho who? Henry was better on the night.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard raised both eyebrows when asked if Ronaldinho would be leaving for Chelsea. One eyebrow, perhaps, in response to such a silly question. The other eyebrow, to the fact that Chelsea were just knocked out by Barcelona, thus the question beggared even more belief.

It's only the British press that ask such derogatory questions. Chelsea had just been humbled by Barcelona both at home and away, and there the press were in the Nou Camp not asking about match tactics or feelings of elation, but whether the Catalans' match winner was leaving for the just disposed off club!

Amazing. No wonder the British press are viewed with such contempt.

Speaking of the British press' favourite buck-toothed Catalan ("Ronadinho smiles even when he is fouled"), Mr. Gaucho has come out with one of those statements that make the heart of supporters tingle.

"I cannot see myself leaving Barcelona. I am happy here and no amount of money can buy me this happiness."

Sound familiar? One Thierry Henry has issued that kind of statement one too many times before. But when push has come to shove, he's stalling on his new contract.

Don't hold your breath Barca.

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