Last Friday Arsene Wenger announced that he will be ending his time as manager of Arsenal where the Frenchman won a total of 17 trophies in 22 years. Even though the success at Arsenal has gradually declined over the last few seasons credit has to be given to Wenger in keeping the Gunners competitive in the times of billionaire investors and booming financial revenues.
However, there remains one blemish on the Frenchman's managerial record: failing to win a European cup. The closest the Gunners came to winning a European title was back in 2006 when Barcelona came back from a goal down to beat the Londoners 2-1 in the Champions League.
In the years since then Champions League football has brought nothing but anguish for Wenger and his men and after dropping outside of the Champions League spots for the first time under Wenger, Arsenal have one last chance to give their long time mentor a proper send off by doing what they haven't done before under Wenger by winning the Europa League.
A task which on paper which would be easier said than done as Arsenal take on Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid in the competition's semi-final stage.
The Rojiblancos, are by all rights, very formidable opponents having already played in two Champions League finals and having been regulars in the competition's latter stages in recent seasons. Not to mention the cup pedigree Atleti have in Europe's secondtier competition having won it on two different occasions in the past.
Couple that with their industrious and organized approach to the game Atletico should present a stiff challenge for Wenger's Arsenal.
Atletico have became renowned for their defensive acumen and counter attacking football, which is the type of football that causes regular headaches for the Gunners with the defensive woes Arsenal have had in the past.
It also goes without mentioning, that Atletico also have some flash in their side married with their sturdiness in the form of Antoine Griezman and even more significantly for Arsenal Diego Costa.
Costa became public enemy number one at the Emirates after his stint in England with Chelsea and blooded the Gunners' on more than one occasion scoring three goals in six matches against Arsenal and was the main instigator of controversy against Arsenal on more than a few occasions.
Despite initial thoughts that the Brazilian born forward would miss out on Thursday's first leg clash at the Emirates, news broke that Costa made a good recovery over the last few days and could feature at the start or from the bench which could complicate things for Arsenal.
Manchester City grabbed all the headlines on their way to securing a league and cup double and for a time Pep Guardiola's men looked primed to do the seemingly improbable, winning the quadruple.
However, things took a turn when they were surprisingly ousted from the FA Cup by Wigan and were left with the sting of disappointment as they were overwhelmed by Liverpool over two legs in the Champions League.
Those defeats notwithstanding, City at the moment look like the best team in Europe.
And given how much they've achieved with Guardiola this season let's take a look at the factors that will be key for Cityzens to not only conquer England again but also Europe.
INJECTION OF YOUTH
Throughout the 2016/17 it soon became clear that the Pep Guardiola era couldn't begin in earnest until the Spaniard had stamped his signature on the side. Despite bringing in some new talent City looked visibly jaded and quite rightly so as core contingent of squad who were part of their previous title winning seasons were on the wrong side of 30.
This left Guardiola with the mandate of bringing in some fresh faces as Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva, Aymeric Laporte and Benjamin Mendy made their way to the Etihad.
The shake up worked the trick as most of the new recruits played key roles on the way to City securing the double.
IMPROVED SQUAD DEPTH
Football is increasingly becoming more of squad game and with the resources at Man City's disposal it shouldn't come as a surprise to see their depth being the cornerstone to success. In previous seasons City had a plethora of talent call upon from their squad, however players in those squads usually served as nothing more than replacements or stopgap players used to plug the holes to stop the City ship from sinking.
This season the so-called squad players played just as pivotal role as the starters in winning the league title. For example, when City lost David Silva to injury it was Ilkay Gundogan picked up where the Spaniard left off without missing a beat or how Bernardo Silva tormented defences when either Raheem Sterling or Leroy Sane weren't available and the list goes on.
ALLEVIATING DEPENCY ON KOMPANY
Despite their vast financial muscle the one problem that has troubled City is how they managed without Vincent Kompany. Since signing for City in 2008 the Belgian has been the defensive rock for City and has been arguably their one of their most important players on their way to winning their previous league titles.
The last few years have not been kind to Belgian as he has been on a number of seasons plagued by injuries and in his absence City don't look like the same team. Even after spending well over 100 million for central defenders for them to find Kompany's shoes to large to fill and effectively City's season usually lived or died depending on how fit the Belgian remained throughout the season.
However, City have at least found a way to curtail Kompany's absence with John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi being improved at the heart of the defence and it also helps that they are aided by their style of play, which along reduction of mistakes has softened the blow of not having Kompany in the team.
RAHEEM STERLING FACTOR
Raheem Sterling has had the best return of goals this season scoring 23 goals in 43 matches and has also assisted in a further 9 goals City have scored this season. This represents a huge improvement for a player who by the looks of things might have been another Shaun Wright-Phillips type who showed much potential but couldn't deliver when it comes to the end product.
Just as impressive as his goal scoring has been his work rate and versatility. Sterling gave Man United a number of problems a few weeks ago when he played as a false nine, dropping deep to collect the ball and running in behind the defence. The only fault you could find in Sterling's game has been his finishing which needs some polishing but based on this season its obvious he's taken his game to the next level.
The name Manchester United is synonymous with one thing, and that's winning. However, in the years post Sir Alex Ferguson, it would seem the results haven't been forthcoming.
Couple that with the stewardship of a serial winner like Jose Mourinho the weight of expectation to get back to the glory days is magnified tenfold. And probably more than ever before both United and Mourinho constantly find themselves under constant criticism.
Critism which at times this season has been somewhat harsh when you consider where the Red Devils are right now as opposed to previous seasons.
This is the point Mourinho made when he spoke to the BBC after their the Red Devils triumphed in their semi-final against Spurs on Saturday.
"We should ask ourselves why there is too many critics on all of us? We can finish second with six more points. To do that with all the fantastic teams we play against will be an achievement for a club that couldn't do it for a few years now."
Sure their title bid faded into the periphery as City strolled off with the league title, yes they haven't dazzled that much and they did drop a winnable Champions League tie against Sevilla, but while things haven't been perfect its observable that things under Mourinho are improving.
"If we can finish the season with two victories and one draw and finish the season with 81 points, if we managed to do that, untouchable City, no chance to be in a fight with them, I think that is a good season," Mourinho said. "We can come to the final with a good spirit in the same spirit we came today."
It also goes without mentioning that a second place for United will be their highest finish since they last won the Premier League title back in 2013.
It also guarantees United successive seasons in the Champions League, a feat they haven't managed since Ferguson's retirement, which will put them in good stead as United can use it to gain some momentum as they make their way back to the top.
Even despite not being able to live up to expectations United have kept up with the habit of winning trophies having already added the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League to their trophy cabinet in recent seasons, which is good because after all winning, as they say, is a habit.
This bodes well as the Red Devils shown some glimpses of their potential, but they may need another or two to catch up with Man City.
On Friday Arsene Wenger announced his retirement as the manager of Arsenal at the end of the season. This brings an end to the Frenchmen's tenure at Arsenal which spanned 22 years where he amassed 17 trophies including three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup wins.
However, this begs the big question: what's next for Arsenal?
So with that in mind a list of big names have been thrown around with speculation rife as to who will replace Wenger next season.
The rumoured names on that list include:
Thomas Tuchel
Carlo Ancelotti
Massimiliano Allegri
Joachim Löw
Patrick Viera
Thierry Henry
Leonardo Jardim
Eddie Howe
As impressive as that list may be at the moment its observable that if Arsenal wish to navigate this delicate period they'll have to lean towards a more safe, and preferably, long term option.
And only two managers come to mind in that regard.
Antonio Conte or Diego Simeone would be perfect for the manager role at this juncture for number of reasons.
Firstly, there has been doubt over the futures of both managers at their current clubs and with Wenger vacating his role at Arsenal, the Emirates could be a place either of the two could home for the foreseeable future.
Conte and Simeone also have the number one prerequisite that any manager need in order to succeed; they're both tried and tested winners who built themselves into success.
As Wenger exits the Emirates its clear that Arsenal will be going in a new direction, and that requires a total remodelling of the side as well as galvanizing to build a new legacy and who else would you put your money on?
Conte laid much of the groundwork for the success that Juventus enjoy today. The Old Lady had suffered greatly in the aftermath of the 2006 match-fixing scandal which resulted in Juve spending a season in Serie B back in 2007/08. The subsequent years yielded very little joy but Juve's hopes were renewed with the arrival of Conte in 2011 as they won the first of their six successive Serie A titles (three under Conte) the following season finishing the league season unbeaten.
Simeone spurred Atletico Madrid on to a La Liga title and a Champions League final in a fairy tale season back in 2014, marking the first time since 2004 where neither Real Madrid or Barcelona had won the league title. Including that league title under Simeone Atleti also won a further four trophies which include the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Copa, Europa League and UEFA Super Cup which is monumental considering the limited resources the Argentine had to work with.
Fittingly both managers are also in favour of defensive solidity and organisation; areas in which Arsenal have been found lacking for a number seasons, but even more importantly either one of managers are what Arsenal need right now: someone who can light a fire under them after a tepid last few seasons.
There is a sense that over the last few years that the passion seems to have gone out of Arsenal's game as for the most part Wenger cut an expressionless figure as his team were yet again floundering or walloped by a rival, and in times like those a number of Gunners players needed a stern word or two.
Conte or Simeone would do a great deal for Arsenal as they would do much to ignite some fire, which it seems under Wenger looked to be slowly suffocated as they plodded from one indignity to another season after season.
In terms of support and resources the next Arsenal manager should find both as a welcome incentive to take the reins at the Emirates.
Antonio Conte's season has been mainly characterized by his unhappiness at boardrooms having blighted Chelsea's title defence as well as the inability to get to players that he wanted. At Arsenal that may likely be the case as the club will a critical stage which could make or break the club over the next few seasons.
Simeone would in all likelyhood would also relish the chance to manage a team with a more financial muscle which he could use to mould Arsenal into a team capable of competing with Europe's best.
For much of the Premier League season the name Manchester City was on everybody's lips as the Cityzens blazed a trail to the top of the log with impressive performances leaving their rivals and the rest of the league in their wake. And up until the turn of the year City not only looked to on their way to winning the title effortlessly but also looked set to immulate the exploits of Arsenal's Invincibles, going through entire league season undefeated, after setting the longest winning streak in the league's history.
However, that ended at Liverpool and just like then it was the Reds again who played a part in bringing City back down to earth as they inflicted defeats on the Manchester side in the Champions League either side of their league loss to Manchester United.
City now have three successive defeats in all competitions and having lost two of those games at home after taking the lead should have shaken their confidence as much as another demoralizing visit to Anfield had, or the fact that their biggest rivals came to their own turf came back from two goals down to rain on their parade.
Things could get worse with another loss meaning United could find their way back into the title picture.
Speaking at a news conference Man City manager Pep Guardiola was quoted saying that the title race wasn't done and dusted.
"When I saw the pundits and the people in November, they say it's already done, it's impossible that City -- if they don't lose in six months, three or four months -- it's impossible for them to drop points. But in one week we lost three games, that happened.
"What I say to the players is, and they show you every day, in every game that it's not done because if it was done they wouldn't play the way they play. So we have to play tomorrow and after that we see the result from United. But it doesn't depend on the United result, it's in our hands, it's up to us to win our games, and we are able to win two games."
Spurs on the other hand; are currently the league's form team in 2018 and have picked more points than any other side and have only lost just once since the turn of the year in all competitions.
Even more concerning for City should be how much Spurs have come into their own not only as a team, but also individually as they have been less reliant on the goals of Harry Kane with teammates Heung Son Min, Christian Erikson and Dele Alli contributing their fair share.
Alli, in particular, was a two goal hero as Spurs ended a nearly thirty year wait for a win at Stamford Bridge and according to ESPN the young Englishman relishes the opportunity to take on the current log leaders.
“Man City are an amazing team, they’ve been very good this year, but we want to win every game and we fancy ourselves against anyone,” he said.
"They’re an incredible team with incredible players all over the pitch, but we’re going to try to play our football as we always do.”
The road to Kyiv has been a riveting journey and with the excitement of the quarter finals behind us fans can now look forward to what is in store for the semi-finals. Real Madrid, Liverpool, AS Roma and Bayern Munich emerged as the would be challengers harbouring hopes to win the most coveted prize in European football.
Friday's draw confirmed the fixtures for the semi-finals and fans will be glad to know that that the prospect of a dream Champions League final could still be on the cards matching two of most exciting teams in this season's tournament if Real Madrid and Liverpool advance to the grandest stage of them all, and not to mention the illustrious history behind two clubs in the competition.
With that let's see how each of the teams will match up ahead of the semi-finals.
Liverpool vs AS Roma
Probably the most interesting tie of the two as its been some time since either side has made an appearance at this stage. Liverpool make their first appearance at this stage for the first time in 10 years while for Roma its only the second time in their history they play in the semi-finals.
More intriguing thing though will be in seeing how the contrasting styles will match up over the two legs. Roma like most Italian team are defence first side and have only conceded only six goals throughout the tournament and even shut out Lionel Messi and co on their way to stunning the Catalans in a 3-0 win. The Giallorossi, however, are more than just defensive side as displayed a robustness and physicality in dispatching Barcelona and having already tasted victory against English opposition, against Chelsea, they should prove a handful being this season's surprise package.
Liverpool entered into the knockout stages as dark horses and emerged from the quarter finals rightfully along with Madrid as favourites to make their way to the final. The Reds are on the positive in terms of goals scored and conceded this season having scored 33 and only 7 going the other way. There's also the small matter of Mo Salah facing his old side and his reception when he returns to Rome for the return leg.
Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid
In the battle of experience former winners and regulars at this stage Bayern Munich take on defending champions Real Madrid face off in yet another classic between the giants of the competition in recent years. Bayern last won the Champions League five years ago where they blew away all opposition under Juup Heynkes. Heynkes returned to take the reigns this season taking over from Carlo Ancellotti and will be hoping their German mentor can mastermind them to the trophy yet again.
But to do that though they'll have to negotiate their past a side they've found hard to beat, and obviously have to stop talisman Cristiano Ronaldo from scoring against them yet again. Ronaldo has scored more goals against Bayern than any other player in Champions League history and he may yet again prove the catalyst for the Spaniards as they look to win a third successive European title.
From a neutral's perspective nobody can know what will come next with regards to the Champions League this season. Few could have imagined the events that would transpire by the time the final whistle would be blown to mark an end to this season's quarter finals. Drama ensued as favourites Barcelona and Manchester City were unprecedently knocked out of the competition.
Liverpool ousted the seemingly invincible Manchester City in some fashion with a 5-1 aggregate win sending the Cityzens' season into a tail spin in the process. Over in italy, the Stadio Olympico played host to one of those magical European football nights where AS Roma flipped the script turning the tables on Barcelona with a 3-0 come back win to progress to semi-finals for only the second time in their history .
Undoubtedly, the result of the round has to go to the tie of the round as Real Madrid had a rollercoaster ride as Juventus put on a Herculean effort to level the tie going 3-0 up before heartbreak struck as a last gasp Cristiano Ronaldo penalty allowed Real to scrape past the Old Lady.
And fans have been left in disbelief as to what this year's competition has in store and what more drama could yet ensue as there is a good chance that we could see current favourites Real Madrid and Liverpool in a match which would be worth of a final. Or Mo Salah could face his old employers in a clash of styles if the Reds draw Roma. The possibilities are endless and so fans have been left to ask what's next?
Liverpool were magnificent their Champions League quarter final as they dispatched one of the favourites Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate. More specifically their second leg come back after going a goal down after only two minutes showed how much the Reds have grown under Jurgen Klopp this season.
Liverpool's start to last night's game wasn't the most flattering as it looked as if the defensive mistakes which had dogged them in the past looked to have resurfaced as they were duly punished for another defensive lapse. Essentially City were handed a lifeline and for much of the first half threatened to claw their way back into the tie.
However, fortune favoured Liverpool as Bernardo Silva hit the bar and an offside decision was in their favour which meant the tie was well poised in the second half.
Liverpool's recovery can be credited to better game management as they remained resolute in the first half to keep the home side at bay long enough to mount a counter charge.
Evidently City would grow desperate in the second half only being a goal up and this played to Liverpool's strengths as they scored their first on the counter and the second as they pressed City into making a mistake.
From there the Reds impressed as they saw out the game for win at a venue where they had been previously routed a few months ago and this establishes that Liverpool are capable of more than just steamrolling teams, but are also maturing under the mentorship of Jurgen Klopp.
Even more importantly the defensive lapses for Liverpool have grown more infrequent in recent weeks with the arrival of Virgil van Dijk bringing some poise to the Reds at the back. This coupled with goals from the front three means Liverpool have a solid base to mount a charge to go all the way in the Champions League and looking forward to next season.
Although they may not be the finished product yet, the addition of a few more quality players would add to squad depth in key positions such as at the back and up front which could mena Liverpool may just take the football world by storm next season.
