Manchester United have a walkover against Porto but the quintuple looks impossible.
Arsenal will give a very warm welcome to Highbury legend Robbie Pires when he comes to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday April 15 with Villarreal.
Playing the second leg at home will help Arsenal a lot. But we expect tight games between two skilful possession teams.
So how will the season pan out now?
Will Arsenal finish fourth in everything?
If Arsenal lose to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi, they will finish joint fourth in the FA Cup, or joint third, if you prefer.
If Arsenal beat Villarreal but lose to Manchester United in the Champions League semi, they will be one of Europe’s top four clubs.
That should help them to sign the striker they desperately need.
You could argue that two semi-finals and fourth place is a decent season. Many people will say that.
Quarter Finals
1st leg
Villarreal CF v Arsenal
At Estadio El Madrigal
Tuesday 7th April 2009
2nd leg
Arsenal v Villarreal CF
At Emirates Stadium
Wednesday 15th April 2009
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Semi Finals
1st leg
Manchester United or FC Porto v Villarreal CF or Arsenal
Wednesday 29th April 2009
2nd leg
Villarreal CF or Arsenal v Manchester United or Porto
Tuesday 5th May 2009
Right now, it’s all to play for.
In 1999, Arsenal lost an FA Cup semi-final replay to Manchester United, who went on to win the treble.
United fans will reckon that today’s draw means they are in great shape to reach the final in Rome. They will expect to thump Porto and beat the winners of Arsenal/Villarreal.
Could Liverpool beat Chelsea, then beat the winners of Barcelona/Bayern Munich ? That could happen.
So six days after Liverpool won 4-1 at Old Trafford in the league, there is a possibility of a Manchester United-Liverpool final in the Champions League
Two of Liverpool’s five European Cups were won in Rome. A third is quite easy to imagine.