English clubs avoid group of death in champions draw

ALL four English clubs in the Champions League have cause for cautious optimism after yesterday’s draw in Monaco.

On paper, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle each look to have a very real chance of progressing to the second group phase of Europe’s top club competition.

Though none of the four contenders have a ludicrously easy draw, most of the giants of European football have been avoided - not to mention the group of death - and the 8-1 on an all-English final at Old Trafford next May does not look quite so miserly after all.