In the pubs and wine bars of Islington the talk once again is of the Champions League - and a date with Moscow. Arsenal fans must be relishing another European Cup Final.

After their magnificent 2-1 win against AC Milan, the Italian stallions and current European champions, the Gunners can look back on a night of unprecedented achievement. Besides, no English team had ever broken into the San Siro fortress and actually won.

In recent seasons the all-conquering Arsenal had ransacked the mighty Real Madrid and stolen a famous Champions League victory.

'Most of us would give anything though for just a couple of Theo Walcotts - and the Islington regulars must yearn for another Liam Brady'


On another feverish Milan night, there was a craft and sophistication about the Gunners that both Real Madrid and AC Milan would have envied in another era.

In this fashion capital of the world, Arsenal showed all of the prettier designs. From the very first minute their dazzling teamwork was a joy to behold. This was a masterful, diamond-studded Arsenal performance that has somehow become their trademark.

The complete display of Gunners rubies and emeralds were there for all to see. The passes were strung together like daisy chains, players floated into position almost instinctively and goals eventually came.

But the reality is though that all of the Arsenal players came from foreign shores. Now the likes of the immaculate Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor and the re-assuring influence of Matthieu Flamini have re-vitalised the team.

Even without Robin van Persie on the wing, there is a much healthier complexion about the Premier League leaders. Most of us would give anything though for just a couple of Theo Walcotts - and the Islington regulars must yearn for another Liam Brady.

Under Bertie Mee and Terry Neill, Arsenal once boasted a huge contingent of Irish and home-grown talent. Highbury was a thriving nursery of young rookies. The names of Brady, Frank Stapleton, David O'Leary and Pat Rice are carved into the north London brick work.

Sadly, though, English football has lost its very own products and the conveyor belt has stopped. There are few objections to the Kolo Toures and Emmanuel Eboues of this world but football has to move with the times

The fact is the foreign legion are here to stay and Walcott may have to kick his heels. With his mission accomplished, Arsenal's learned boss Arsene Wenger just stood on the touchline, gazing into the distance and mulling over Moscow.