"ARSENAL have had a tough week in the Premier League and the Champions League. They lost to Blackburn last weekend and then this week they lost to Valencia and did not make it into the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

Arsenal did not play well on Wednesday night in Spain. But I felt they were also hard done by right at the end of the game when they should have had a penalty. The referee was right there and didn't give it. God knows what the referee was doing - it was poor officiating.

However I have to admit Valencia's John Carew took advantage of two defensive lapses to score. He is a big strong fellow and a very good player. Arsenal didn't seem capable of handling him.

Arsenal now have to play Everton on Sunday - the last time these teams met earlier this season Everton won with a great goal by Wayne Rooney.

Actually going out of the Champions League may, in the long run, be a good thing for Arsenal. They will not have to play so many games - they are still in the FA Cup and have the league as well. They have some players injured and they need to get them back for the end of the league campaign.

I still think they are capable of winning the league but it will not be easy now.

On Tuesday they have to go to Chelsea and play them in the semifinal replay of the FA Cup. That will not be easy - Arsenal have been hit on the chin and now they have to pull their socks up.

The league should go right down to the wire. It will be exciting. Manchester United have go to Arsenal and I think it could come right down to that game. Whoever wins that game will win the league - that's what I believe.

And don't forget Newcastle are right there as well.

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ITALY

The Italians now have three teams - AC Milan, Inter and Juventus - in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Compared to this time last year they are doing well. The Italian League had a bit of a slump in the last few years but it looks as if they are on the way back up now. Of the three Italian teams left in the Champions League I feel that AC Milan will be the toughest for any opponent. They have a good squad of players. They will concern whoever they play. It will be interesting to see what happens.

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SPAIN

Like Italy, Spain also have three teams left in the Champions League - Real Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.

It should not surprise anyone that Spain is well represented because they have always done well in the Champions League.

I understand that it is possible that Manchester United may meet Real Madrid in the quarterfinals which will be picked today. That game should be interesting. If you are a United fan then you must realise that you have to meet the big boys sometime. And maybe it is better to get them out of the way first.

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McBRIDE

Brian McBride will play his last game for Everton on Sunday against Arsenal. He will then rejoin his MLS side Columbus Crew. McBride was a great signing for Everton. Everyone could see what he did in the short time he was with the team - four goals in eight appearances. Everton's manager David Moyes knew what he was getting in McBride because he had him on loan when he managed Preston a couple of years ago.

He fits right in at Everton. In fact he fits right in with English football in general. He is big and strong and good in the air - he seemed at home with Everton. McBride is what I would call a typical English-style player.

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FOWLER

Robbie Fowler got his first goal for Manchester City last weekend against Birmingham. It was a great goal and typical of Fowler. Now hopefully Shaun Goater may get a chance as well.

I have been following Fowler for years - I once took a youth team over to England to play and watched him before he was in the Liverpool (first team). You could see what kind of player he was.

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US TEAM

If anyone wonders why the US team has done so well recently - especially in the World Cup - then take a look at the amount of times the team plays and who they play against. They have already played against Argentina, Canada and Jamaica this year and they will play eight more times before August this year against teams like Brazil, Mexico, Turkey and Cameroon. They are doing things the right way.