aka: the Gunners
Arsenal Football Club is one of the most successful and popularly supported clubs in English football history. Based in Holloway, north London, they became the first London side to reach the Champions League final two years ago in a loss to FC Barcelona. Arsenal gained a worldwide fan base over the last decade with their success in England and Europe. The Gunners undefeated season in 2003-4 is regarded as one of the best single seasons in football history earning the team the nickname "The Invincibles". In recent history Arsenal has fallen from their lofty heights as they've failed to finish in the top two of the EPL the last two seasons. Many felt the offseason departure of beloved captain and French international forward Thierry Henry to Barcelona would spell further trouble for the club. Instead the young team seems to have gained a new life with their new identity and have overtaken Manchester United for the lead in the EPL title race.
Their French manager, Arsene Wenger, is widely regarded as one of the best in the world having led the Gunners to first or second place in the EPL eight of his eleven seasons at the club. Anchored in the back by club captain and French international defender William Gallas, vice-captain Cote d'Ivoirian international defender Kolo Touré, and vice-captain Brazilian international defensive midfielder Gilberto, Arsenal feature an array of young offensive talent in Spanish international playmaker midfielder Cesc Fàbregas and high-scoring Togolese international striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
Lauded for their attractive attacking style some question whether Arsenal's open game can be effective on the tight stage of the Champions League tournament. We'll find out on Wednesday as they face off against reigning champions AC Milan.
Chelsea FC
aka: the Blues, The Pensioners
Chelsea Football Club is another of the EPL's most successful clubs. Since the late 1990's they are experiencing one of the best eras in their history having won the Premiership two of the last three years. Chelsea was bought in 2003 by Russian oil magnate Roman Abramovich who hasn't hesitated to invest a significant portion of his sizeable wealth to bring top talent to his club. Abramovich's biggest dream is to capture the Champions League trophy for the first time in the Blues' history. Chelsea are considered to be a New York Yankees of sorts in the football world with their sky high payroll and laundry list of international superstars.
After failing to win a third consecutive EPL title last year, the longtime friction between Chelsea's famous Portugese manager José "the Special One" Mourinho and Abramovich boiled over when Chelsea started this season less than spectacularly. The two sides agreed to part ways by 'mutual consent' in late Septmeber. Abramovich appointed the club's Director of Football, Israeli Avram Grant, as replacment manager - much to the chagrin of players and fans alike who felt he lacked the professional experience to lead a world class club. After a poor start and amidst loud protest Avram Grant has slowly led the Blues back to form. On the pitch Chelsea is buoyed by British internationals, John Terry and Frank Lampard, high powered Cote d'Ivoirian international striker Didier Drogba, Ukrainian superstar striker Andriy Schevchenko, and a resurgent German national team captain and midfielder Michael Ballack.
Riding a recent improvement in form Chelsea is currently third in the EPL behind Arsenal and Manchester United. Now Abramovich and Grant would like nothing more than to silence their chorus of critics by taking Chelsea farther in the Champions League tournament than Mourinho did during his tenure with the London club. The Blues will like their chances against upstart Greek side Olympiacos.
Liverpool FC
aka: the Reds
In term of trophies, Liverpool Football Club is the most successful club in the history of English football. They have won the third most European Championships of any club, with five. Liverpool now have American ownership as George Gillett and Tom Hicks bought the club in 2006. Despite the Reds lack of success in the EPL, having finished no better than 3rd in the last four seasons, they've had surprising success in the Champions League, having won the tournament three years ago and advancing to the final which they lost last year to AC Milan.
Liverpool is managed by master tactician Spaniard Rafa Benitez, captained by English international star midfielder Steven Gerrard, and led on attack by too-tall British striker, Peter Crouch, Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt, and the newly arrived young Spanish international starlet striker Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid who they signed for a record sum during the summer transfer period.
As Liverpool has continued to struggle in the Premiership this season there have been public spats between ownership and manager Rafa Benitez who enjoys popular support among the faithful but whose critics claim he has built the team to compete best in the tournament format of Europe and not the long grueling season of the domestic league. Captain Steven Gerrard has gone so far as to advise the club to forget about the EPL title and focus on Champions Leage qualification for next year. You can bet the Reds see success against Inter Milan as their only salvation for an otherwise disappointing and tumultous season.
Manchester United FC
aka: the Red Devils, Man U, United
Manchester United Football Club is one of the world's most popular and successful sports clubs with over 50 million supporters worldwide. Consistently listed as one of the richest football clubs in the world, Man U was controversially taken over by American businessman Malcom Glazer when he acquired a controlling interest in the club in 2005. In recent history United have been the most successful side in England having won nine of the last fourteen EPL titles and the Champions League in 1999.
Their Scottish manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has won more trophies than any other manager in English football history and helmed Man U for 20 seasons. Anchored by stalwart vice-captain Welsh international winger Ryan Giggs, United has perhaps the most exciting attacking talent in the tournament led by their youth movement - young British striker Wayne Rooney, creative Portugese winger and runner-up Footballer of the Year Christiano Ronaldo, Argentinian international striker Carlos Tevez, and Portugese international forward Nani.
Last year Manchester United ended Chelsea's two year streak as EPL champions and have continued that momentum to the top of the table this year where they are currently five points off Arsenal's pace. United look to reward their loyal fans with a third Champions League trophy but must first leap the hurdle of talented French side Lyon.
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