Three matches over 7 days proved that £40m and a couple of referees were the differences between these two teams.

In the first match the difference was all down to the referee. His bottled penalty call ensured that the two, evenly matched, teams stayed exquisitely evenly matched. If there was a difference maker on the pitch it was Kuyt, who's hard work should be a model for the whole Arsenal team.

In the second match, again the teams were closely matched. Both teams rotated heavily and neither squad could find a real breakthrough and again the teams finished 1-1.

And then there's yesterday, which I am referring to as "from the mountain high to the valley low."

The match started so well, with Arsenal retaining possession and moving the ball brilliantly. On the 12th minute there was a shot and Liverpool made a hash of it. The ball fell to Hleb who slotted to Diaby, who blew the doors off Reina. 1-0 to the Arsenal. The dream start and Arsenal fans must surely have been on their way to the mountain top.

But as I predicted yesterday an early goal would lead to a high scoring game because both of these teams are struggling in defense. And then it happened. Hyypia, who has the pace of a glacier, lost Senderos on a corner and powered a header past Cesc. 1-1 and back down into the valley.

Then Arsenal lost Flamini to what looked like an intentional stamp by Gerrard. At that point, they were forced to bring in Gilberto and the team looked visibly shaken. Arsenal withstood the onslaught of Liverpool possession and the half closed at 1-1.

At the start of the second half, Arsenal looked to have regained a bit of composure and were playing decently even though the Eboue/Toure right side looked completely lost in the attack. I do want to give plaudits to Eboue, he and Toure gave Gerrard a nightmare of a game on that left side and so it could be that Wenger likes Eboue more for his defensive ability up front. It certainly can't be because he's a great offensive player (no goals and a paltry 2 assists all season).

But as we have all seen so many times this season, a small lapse in concentration sees the ball fall to Torres and Liverpool get their £26m worth out of him as he plays home an unstoppable ball. That strike was worth every penny they paid for him. And it's not his first of the season, he's been doing that kind of stuff now for months. In fact, without the quality of Torres Liverpool might be a middle of the table team.

Wenger reacts by bringing on Theo and van Persie for Diaby and Eboue. Dividends were paid almost immediately, Theo picks the ball up from a hapless Gerrard and breaks from one end of the pitch to the other, crosses it perfectly for Adebayor and the score line is 2-2. That run was exactly what I was calling for yesterday when I thought Arsenal could relive 1989. An amazing run where Theo shrugs off four defenders and passes the ball perfectly to Adebayor. The kind of move that everyone has been expecting from the lad but that he has not quite been able to produce. Done at the best time, on the highest stage. THEO THEO THEO THEO!

Less than 10 minutes left to defend! Arsenal are moving forward! We're on the mountain top!

Jesus Lapdancing Christ...

What was it? The first kick from the restart? And THAT? THAT? A penalty?

Back down to the valley.

I'll admit. That was as much a penalty as the one Arsenal were denied at Emirates just 6 days earlier. Maybe a little less, but in the heat of the action I could see a referee calling that penalty. If it had happened on the other end of the pitch, we'd have all called for a penalty. I know that's hard to swallow. I know it was a big moment of a big game. And I know that Toure shouldn't have been draped all over Babel. If he hadn't, then Babel going down would have looked foolish instead of as if a penalty.

I also know that it was the quality of Babel (£12m), the fact that Rafa was shrewd to bring him on late (what with his pace against the tired legs of Arsenal), and the fact that Arsenal just dropped the ball. This Liverpool team scored against Arsenal in each of the two legs right after resuming play from an Arsenal goal. Even the boss recognized that it was both a lack of concentration and the referee which gave Liverpool the match:

It's down to a dodgy decision by the referee I believe but also to a lack of concentration straight away when it was 2-2. We found Babel in the box straight from the kick-off and that's where the concentration dropped a little bit. I believe over the two games it's very difficult to swallow because it's a double disappointment.

I honestly thought my prediction for the match to end 3-3 was going to come true, until Babel stormed past Cesc and slotted home the winner.

We can blame the ref, but that won't get back the Hyypia goal.

We can blame the ref, but that won't get back the fantastic goal by Torres.

We can blame the ref, but we'd have all felt aggrieved if van Persie had gone down and we had not got that same call.

We can blame the ref, but Rafa's depth of squad, Arsenal's lack of concentration, and the quality of Torres and Babel were the real difference over these two legs.

Liverpool outspent Arsenal by about £40m this season and the quality they received in return has paid them dividends. I say it's time to get out the checkbook Mr. Wenger lest you succumb to pride that befell Caesar:

I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament

'till tomorrow.

All of this is irrelevant really as there are 90 minutes in each game for the players who are selected to put the ball in the net, it's that simple really, and Arsenal usually do this very well, sometimes with astonishing style, sometimes with a lucky goal mouth scuff, but last night...it wasn't to be.

So this morning hurts, but good luck to Liverpool, they never gave up trying, they made the most of their chances and they should now go on and win the Champions League in Moscow.

On a sunny day in May of 1989, Arsenal needed a 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield to win the league. It was considered an impossible task: fortress Anfield was impregnable, Liverpool were the reigning champs, and the emotional favorites as well having suffered through the Hillsborough disaster just a little over a month earlier.  The game came down to the last minute and the second goal came on the last attack of the game as the Liverpool squad were cheering for their "double."  It is, possibly the most famous win in Arsenal's recent history.

I don't mention this to "rub it in" or because I'm living in the past; rather to say that a win today would have to be just as famous, at least for those of us who are recent supporters. Liverpool must be seen as the clear favorites: masters of Europe (5 cups and staring at back-to-back finals appearances), an away goal advantage, home advantage, and a mental advantage after having come out and executed their plans to perfection twice at the Emirates. And to overcome that would be, as George Graham said, at least as monumental as overcoming Liverpool at Anfield in 1989.

A win today would even be better than the 2-0 win at the San Siro, simply because Milan was a much better match up for Arsenal than Liverpool. Liverpool are more physical, have the incredible pace of Torres, and rather than a team struggling, they are on top of their game.

In addition, Arsenal are tired, they are injured (even though Diaby and van Persie return today), but they have the belief of the boss who thinks they can win both leagues, and the belief of their best player who has stated his intent to stay at Arsenal and make it into a big club:

Arsenal aim to be one of the biggest teams in Europe, like Milan, Barcelona or Madrid, teams who have always been associated with playing well and winning

To do that, Cesc, you must win tonight.

So, I am expecting a hard fought clash (both teams have crafty holding midfielders who lead the CL in fouls) but, believe it or not, I'm also expecting a lot of goals. If Arsenal get an early goal, Benitez will open the game, which will lead to a wide open match. An open match is dangerous for both teams as neither squad has a sterling defense. And so, I honestly think we could see a 3-3 draw today.

In honor of the 2-0 victory to take the league in 1989, today would be the perfect day to wear yellow.

Too bad the squad will be either wearing that hideous white strip or that Barcelona inspired claret and blue thing.

I'm wearing yellow, which just happens to be my lucky Jersey.

Finally, and briefly, the word on the street that Seattle Sounders FC are looking to buy Thierry Henry is gaining momentum and just today Barcelona have confirmed that he is for sale. I don't see it happening (him coming to America). I think he'll go to Chelsea or something first because he misses his daughter who's in London. We'll have to see, either way, he won't be in Spain next year.

That's it, up the Arse!

And then there was one, so this it what it has all come down to, this match, a single moment in time when the winner goes through to the Semi Final of the Champions League with Chelsea or Fenabache waiting in the wings.

Can Arsene muster his team like he did for the AC Milan match in the San Siro, he is going to need all of his management skills to have the team ready for this one but they are capable of getting the result, it seems to have a feel of a certain match in 1989 when we had to travel to Anfield looking for a certain result, nobody gave us a chance in that one either and nobody outside Arsenal can see a win, but there is an air of confidence in the ranks of the Gooners…read it all after the match...

It's time to turn our attention briefly away from the hustle and bustle of the Championship and the East Anglian Derby, and take a look at the Champions League Quarter-Finals.

I've tried to resist but as I can't help myself I've made a few predictions...

Chelsea vs. Fenerbahce. The Turks take a slim lead to Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea's away goal has given them the platform to proceed. My prediction: Chelsea to go through.

Liverpool vs. Arsenal. After the weekend's third 1-1 draw between the two sides, Arsenal and Liverpool meet for the third time in a week. The Scousers unquestionably hold the advantage thanks to Dirk Kuyt's goal at the Emirates, and as much as I want Arsenal to qualify Liverpool seem destined to go through. My prediction: Liverpool to go through. Partly because I think that's what'll happen, and partly to try and put the mockers on them. :)

Barcelona vs. Schalke 04. Barca hold the edge after winning in Germany, and can anyone see them losing at home? I certainly don't. My prediction: Barcelona to proceed.

Manchester United vs. AS Roma. United are arguably the best team in the world at the moment, and after handing out a lesson in European football to Roma last week few would bet on them throwing it away now. My prediction: Man Utd to proceed.

Meanwhile, it had been revealed that Rosicky has a "knee problem" that has been keeping him out since January and may keep him out until next season.  According to the Czech team doctor Rosicky can jog for long periods of time but he can't sprint.  Let's see, knee, mystery injury, pain on jogging, long healing time...  sounds like a partial tear of one of the ligaments in his knee.  I currently have a partial tear of my Achilles and I can attest that this is very tricky.  You don't want to rush things.  IF (I'm not his doctor) it is a partial tear, the chances are pretty good that he'll finish the tear off next year.

Which would suck.

So, I don't expect to see any changes for tomorrow even though Arsenal are really struggling to find goals right now.  I mean, it's not like Wenger has anyone he can put in to break the goal drought.  Oh wait, you think it's not a goal drought?

In the last 11 matches Arsenal have scored only 12 goals.  Up until that point, they were averaging over 2 goals per game.  That's nearly a 50% decrease in the goals for average.  That's a goal drought.  The casual observer might not see it as such because they are still scoring goals, but no team can take a 50% hit in goals and still win games.

Especially since in that same stretch they have conceded 14 goals.  Which is a 50% increase in their goals against average.

Tomorrow would be a great time to get back to their average.

Until then.