Draws Made In The Land Of Clocks...Not On Time Obviously...

The draws for both the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals were made this afternoon in Nyon, Switzerland, with the main news revolving around the last eight tie between English clubs Arsenal and Liverpool. Fellow Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea will play AS Roma and Fenerbahce respectively over two legs, while Barcelona and Schalke 04 complete the draw for the Quarters.

As usual with a European draw there was a huge, glitzy, completely unnecessary build-up. But, like a shy teenage boy at the doctors, after much delay the balls finally made an appearance.

UEFA general secretary David Taylor was making the draw along with former Russia 'keeper Rinat Dasaev, and after hearing all about Taylor's childhood, future aspirations, shopping list etc etc etc in the many speeches before the draw, the "UEFA two" picked out Arsenal and Liverpool.

Liverpool Chief Executive Rick Parry was disappointed with an all-English tie, but looking on the bright side said: "At least we've avoided a trip to Turkey."

Fenerbahce are also breathing a sigh of relief as they won't have to risk their wallets and valuables on Merseyside. Liverpool will have to journey to North London twice in three days however, as a league fixture is sandwiched by the two legs.

The Turkish club stand in the way of an all-English semi-final, as they were drawn with Chelsea in the last eight round. The winner will face either Liverpool or Arsenal. Mateja Kezman (former Chelsea flop, left) will line-up opposite Nicolas Anelka (future Chelsea flop based on his lacklustre performances so far) as both players return to familiar hunting grounds.

Chelsea will not be happy with the prospect of playing Liverpool for what seems like the 48th time in the last five years or so, if they should reach the semis, while Fenerbahce are pretty much just living the European dream by getting this far in the competition. With the Turkish side a hefty 40-1 to win the tournament however, it seems as if they'll be waking up in a cold sweat soon.

Along with Chelsea, Barcelona also have a bye to the last four, as they drew Schalke 04 in the quarters. The German side have only scored six goals so far this Champions League season, and while Barca aren't having the best of times in La Liga, they could probably send out their academy filled with South American wonderkid 13 year-olds and still not break a sweat. They could even play Ronaldinho, you know, that bloke who used to play a bit.

Barcelona...Sorry, the winner of that tie, will face either Roma or Manchester United. These two sides know eachother inside out having played two games this season and two last year in the Champions League, including a 7-1 thrashing for United at Old Trafford in the second leg of last season's Quarter-Finals.

With crowd trouble marring the first leg in Rome, and Roma's reputation of being about as friendly as a venomous snake with a headache, Manchester United's marketing men have come up with a new "Souvenir Survival Shirt" (right) specially for the game.

The ties are set to be played on 1st/2nd April with the second-legs following on the 8th/9th
of the same month.

Can't wait.