Source: Daily_Mail
ANDY TOWNSEND: Arsenal are a class act and Sergio passes Chelsea audition
It's been a week when the stars shone in the Champions League and the tournament was restored to its top billing. [LNB]Suddenly, it's looking lively. Top goals, outstanding players and at least two heavyweight clubs in danger.[LNB]Liverpool are in serious trouble. Barcelona have plenty to worry about in their group. There is mischief and magic. The tournament is alive and kicking. [LNB]Here's what caught my eye this week.[LNB]Play music There's an enchanting melody to Arsenal's passing - a beautiful, rhythmic style. They slide the ball into each other with a weight on their passing that should be used as a masterclass to any young talent. [LNB]You don't have to be an Arsenal supporter to admire it. Arsene Wenger said they played against AZ Alkmaar 'with a love for the game'. We love watching your team, Arsene.[LNB]Did you see that? Cutest backheel ever? (1) Eduardo picks up the ball on the halfway line and backheels it (2) Arshavin runs on to the ball and sprints forward (3) approaching the box, he feeds Diaby (4) and the midfielder keeps his cool and scores with ease[LNB]Eduardo's 35-yard back heel that set up Arsenal's fourth goal deserves a section all by itself for the audacity, confidence and execution. I tried it once. It didn't end up with the same end result! It was a sign of a team playing with joy and confidence. [LNB]How good must their training sessions be. Who would be the best at keepy-ups...Robin Van Persie, Cesc Fabregas or Andrey Arshavin?[LNB] We'd like him over here Mad for it: Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero fires free kick over the Chelsea wall[LNB]Sergio Aguero of Atletico Madrid passed his audition against Chelseawith two goals. He finds pockets of space just off the front, takeswicked free-kicks and will surely want out of Atletico who are having ahorror season back home. He has one of those unpayable escape clausesbut he looks a £30million player to me. [LNB]He'd certainly improveLiverpool, though Chelsea is a more likely platform. Not that they needmore firepower.[LNB] Unstoppable: Didier Drogba scores his second against Atletico Madrid[LNB]Who stops the Drog? I wouldn't like to be a centre half marking Didier Drogba right now. His movement, his power...and his attitude. He's shifting right and left, as well as through the middle. Two more goals on his return to the Champions League after his suspension. He was on the end of that brilliant Chelsea goal at Bolton last weeked. [LNB]Now it's a vulnerable Manchester United back four next. Don't be surprised to see the Ivorian filling the back pages on Monday morning with that familiar look of success.[LNB] Rafa on the rack I still don't get why Rafa Benitez took off Fernando Torres in the 87th minute. I know he is trying to protect him and guide him through matches, but is he saving him for Birmingham next Monday? [LNB]Once he came off, Lyon sounded the cavalry charge and their captain and centre half, Cris, went up the other end and caused chaos. Would he have gone up there with Torres still on the pitch? [LNB]Maybe, maybe not. Liverpool seemed to fail to spot that a second goal and a 2-0 win would put them 3-2 ahead of Lyon on the head-to-head, used when teams are level on points. It was another odd change by Benitez.[LNB]Touch and go: Inter coach Jose Mourinho celebrates dramatic victory over Dynamo Kiev[LNB]Here comes Mr Mischief So you are Jose Mourinho, who used to work alongside Sir Bobby Robson at Barcelona as one of his junior coaches and now they mock you as 'The Translator'. Mourinho's lot at Inter Milan are next up for Barca, the holders, in the Nou Camp. [LNB]And, after one point from two games against unknown Russians Rubin Kazan, Lionel Messi and Co are in third place in the group and in trouble. [LNB]You just know Mourinho will love this. All eyes will be on this match in the next round of games and he would love to send them out. I'm not sure his team are good enough, but we'll see.[LNB] Who would have thought it? Bayern Munich are also in a mess after losing at home to Bordeaux.[LNB]Haven't we seen you before? It's when you look back through the results that you see Milan versus Real Madrid in November and realise what this competition is about. Marseille are still lurking in the group, mind you, one point behind Milan and Real - and they have to play both in the last two rounds.[LNB] If Marseille get a result in Milan next time, it sets them up for Real Madrid at home, in the jumping Stade Velodrome for the last match. It's another fascinating possibility.[LNB] Keeping up appearances Sage hands: CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saves a shot from Wayne Rooney[LNB]It's never a bad idea to play well at Old Trafford. The CSKA Moscow goalkeeper, Igor Akinfeev, produced an excellent display of shot-stopping, even though he conceded three goals. Sir Alex Ferguson is settled on his No 1 but there are problems behind him. The Russian keeper is getting a shout and, while he did his chances no harm, I'm still not totally convinced he's the man for the job. [LNB] Others in the CSKA team caught the eye, including Milos Kravic and Alan Dzagoev. You can imagine a few Barclays Premier League scouts packing their thermals and heading for Moscow soon.[LNB] Winning on the road Teams are being more bold on their travels. Out of 64 games played so far, 22 have been away wins. On Tuesday, only one of the eight games resulted in a home victory, Marseille's 6-1 thumping of FC Zurich. There were only three more home wins on Wednesday. The competition is a close call. You still expect the big clubs, such as Barcelona and Real Madrid, to go through. Shame you can't say the same for Liverpool. [LNB] Faltering Manchester United defence faces toughest test when they meet Premier League leaders Chelsea Wayne Rooney wants the life of Ryan - Manchester United striker uses Giggs as role modelPICTURE EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool ace Fernando Torres visits clinic for tests on troublesome groin Kroenke splashes £1.7m in another Arsenal shares raid - takeover imminentManchester United and Chelsea check out QPR wonderkid Raheem Sterling's England bow[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Sergio Aguero, Rafa Benitez, Andrey Arshavin, Alex Ferguson, FERNANDO TORRES, Jose Mourinho, Didier Drogba, Robin van PersiePlaces:Barcelona, Liverpool, Birmingham, Lyon, Milan
