Champions League -1/4 Final Reaction 1

The moment that encapsulated last night’s breathtaking Champions League Quarter Final occurred in the dying minutes of a never-to-be-forgotten encounter. Ryan Babel thundered towards the Kop at break-neck speed and whacked the ball into the net sending the home side through to the last four.

Cesc Fabregas cut a forlorn figure as he tried in vain to prevent the winger from scoring but sheer tiredness prevented the talismanic midfielder from reaching his opponent and within seconds Arsenal were out of the Champions League.

That brief cameo demonstrated the benefit of Benitez’s squad rotation and never-say-die attitude but also just how exhausted and jaded looking the whole Arsenal side has become in the final weeks of the season. For all Arsenals’ electric football and individual brilliance, they exit another Champions League tournament because of defensive frailties and a paper-thin squad without enough quality to see them through the really tough European nights.

Many will feel the penalty incident involving Ryan Babel and Kolo Toure was the turning point in the match but the truly pivotal moment occurred once Flamini had to withdraw through injury. Arsenal were overrun in midfield once the Frenchman departed and the Gunners sorely missed his seemingly boundless energy and non-stop running. Flamini has become the one player Arsenal can rely on to cover every blade of grass but once his influence went missing Liverpool exploited the situation to the maximum and the tide quickly turned in their favour.

Rafa Benitez has endured his fair share of criticism over his side’s repeated failures to challenge for the Premier League title but his charges are ominously hitting form in Europe once again at just the right time. Gerrard, Babel, Alonso, Mascherano, and especially Torres look refreshed thanks to the Red’s early season squad rotation. They will certainly not fear Chelsea in the semis, especially with the prospect of possibly facing arch-rivals Manchester United in Moscow.

Another season goes by and yet another European failure for Arsene Wenger. His side contributed to a magnificent game but looked worn-out in the final quarter of an hour despite coming within 7 tantalising minutes of reaching the semi finals. Despite all the scintillating football Arsenal has produced over the past three seasons the Emirates Stadium trophy cabinet remains bare. Worse still, Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and Anfield have each welcomed domestic and European trophies during that period.

Quality reinforcements simply must arrive to bolster the squad in key areas such as defence and in midfield during the summer which may mean spending heavily in the transfer market. This scenario seems to go against the better judgement of Arsene Wenger but even he will have to admit after last night’s crushing defeat that the time has come to add much needed experience to his young squad so as to be able to maintain both a European and domestic challenge next season.

Will Gooners everywhere be able to stomach another trophyless season next term at the expense of United, Chelsea and Liverpool? I doubt it.