Problem is, the mantra is beginning to wear off; the magic ain't working anymore. There are fewer teams better equipped to show up those shortcomings than Barcelona and they did so, with style and guile, to hand Arsenal a hammering as symbolic as it was real at Wembley on Tuesday night.

It shouldn't have been this way; Arsenal were playing at `home', coming off a 4-1 win over Everton at the weekend. And though they weren't outplayed, they were beaten fair and square (if you discount Philip Cocu's dive that led to the first goal). And the biggest culprit was Adams. Okay, so he didn't foul Cocu, and even if he did it was outside thebox. But he missed a couple of sitters and failed to rally his defenders around him. Winterburn and Dixon were too often caught out by Barca's pace, and Seaman was pretty pathetic.

If it is, indeed, the end for the Famous Five, it's been coming in the air; not for nothing has Arsene Wenger bought cover in Luzhinsky and Silvinho. But, to borrow a controversial quote, the earth shakes whenever a big tree falls and no amount of planning can eliminate the emotion.

Arsenal were also perhaps done in by their own ambitions. Playing at Wembley is a double-edged sword. On the plus side is the number of fans you can pack in; on the minus is the size of the pitch, much larger than Highbury.

Sometimes, it balances out; the supporters give their team that extra energy. On Tuesday, it obviously didn't. Not just because of old limbs in the Arsenal colours but because Barcelona are used to such physical and mental pressures at their mammoth Nou Camp Stadium.

Wenger would find a sympathiser in Alex Ferguson.Manchester United's big tree to fall (rather, up roots and leave) was Peter Schmeichel; three keepers and five months on, the Old Trafford earth is still shaking. United's problem is they haven't been able to change their style of play from the Schmeichel days; with him in goal, they would frequently pass the ball back, safe in the knowledge that he would put it far upfield with deadly accuracy. Things ain't what they used to be. There's no guarantee that Bosnich, who seems to be back in favour, will find a United player at the end of his kick/throw or even that Taibi, the `blind Venetian', will gather the ball.

No such problems for Chelsea. This is their first foray in the Champions' League, and they seem to be enjoying themselves. Next up: AC Milan.

Finally, good news from Glasgow, where Rangers turned in an electrifying performance to thrash PSV Eindhoven 4-1. Rangers have dominated Scottish football for the past 12-odd years but, for all their money, could never find any success in Europe. There'sstill a long way to go, and they could do with a deadlier finisher than Rod Wallace, but at least they now look like national champions.

-- Jayaditya Gupta can be reached at joygupta@express2.indexp.co.in

Check List

JEKYLL AND HYDE: World Footballer of the Year Zinedine Zidane, who, suffering from poor form this season, scored against Venezia with a sweet free-kick. Later in the match, however, he was sent off for his second bookable offence.

MISSING IN ACTION: Andrei Shevchenko, last season's superstriker with Kiev, this season's Mr Anonymous with AC Milan. Hasn't exactly set the Serie A alight, has he? Nor has his team, but more on them later...

ENGLAND TENSE: And no, it isn't only because of the Scotland tie. This week, a FIFA team arrives to check out England's 2006 World Cup. They will wine and dine, meet Hugh Grant (obviously a closet football fan) and hear Chris De Burgh sing (another football type, then?). The coup de grace, of course, will be Man United'svisit to Brazil in January, but you're best advised not to mention it to Sir Alex Ferguson.

COMING UP (Part 1): Chelsea Vs Arsenal (ESPN, Saturday, 7-30 p.m.) Both have a point to prove. Chelsea fluffed their last Premiership match and then pulled out all stops; Arsenal, possibly to their regret, did it the other way round. Add to that the grace and charm of a London derby (Oy! Where's my knuckleduster?) and you have a game on your hands.

COMING UP (Part 2): AC Milan Vs Chelsea (Champions League, Tuesday). For reasons why this is hot, see above.