Arsenal face Liverpool in Europe
Arsenal will meet Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the
Champions League after they were paired together in Friday's draw
in Nyon, Switzerland.
Arsene Wenger's side will play the first leg at home on 1/2
April, with the return leg at Anfield on 8/9 April.
Manchester United, who beat Lyon to reach the last eight, were
drawn against Real Madrid's conquerors Roma.
Chelsea, the fourth English club in the draw, face Fenerbahce,
with Schalke 04 and Barcelona the other fixture. <!-- E SF
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The winners of the Arsenal-Liverpool showdown will then take on
Chelsea or Fenerbahce in the semi-finals, while Manchester United
or Roma were drawn against Barcelona or Schalke 04.
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The legs for the last-four ties will take place on 22/23 April
and 29/30 April.
It means if Chelsea overcome Fenerbahce in their quarter-final,
England will be guaranteed a presence in the final in Moscow on 21
May.
However, Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry could barely hide
his disappointment at having to play the Gunners, saying: "We'd
hoped to avoid an English team but an all-English tie was bound to
happen and it's happened to us. At least we've avoided a trip to
Turkey.
"We're also playing Arsenal in the league in between the
quarter-final legs so that will be interesting. I don't think there
will be any surprises for either side in those games.
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"We'll take each match as it comes but, of course, we've noticed
we might also face another English side (Chelsea) in the last four
as well."
Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman added: "I think we'd
have preferred European competition.
"Liverpool are a great team and are fantastic in this
competition and, with three games against them in a week, I'm sure
the tactics in each tie will be under close scrutiny."
"It should make for compelling viewing and, after the way we
played against AC Milan, we must have a lot of belief that we can
go all the way."
Meanwhile, Manchester United club secretary Ken Ramsden said:
"It's a good draw for us, I think. As a fan, I'm happy we're
playing continental opposition and we have a good record against
them too.
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"I'm sure the manager will also be happy that we're playing at
home in the second leg so we're content with that."
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon was equally happy to have
avoided an English side in the draw, adding: "I'm delighted.
"There are no easy draws at this stage but we wanted to avoid an
English side and we've done that.
"Despite a couple of disappointing results of late, we've
complete confidence in the team and coaching staff to ensure we
have a good end to the season."
