Can an English team rule Europe?

Can an English team rule Europe?

All three of England's representatives in the Champions League may through, but the next stage is not going to be easy now the draw has been made.

Arsenal eased through their group, Leeds battled valiantly against the likes of Barcelona and AC Milan and Manchester United - though not at their best - also progressed to the knockout stages.

But can an English team win European club football's premier prize?

Arsenal and Manchester United could be in with a real chance of lifting the trophy after being drawn with relatively easy opponents in the second phase.

Despite sneaking through the opening stage, Alex Ferguson's side have the experience of winning club football's ultimate honour as recently as 1999 and are odds-on favourites to succeed this year.

And Arsene Wenger's Arsenal must be feeling confident after winning their group so impressively with one of the most fearsome frontlines in the Champions League.

Leeds might have shown their metal with an under-strength squad against European giants Barcelona and AC Milan, but David O'Leary will be hoping they have a few surprises left as they face holders Real Madrid and Lazio.

So do you think the Premiership will provide a European champion?

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I'd say Manchester United would have a greater chance, despite the fact they didn't play well in the first-stage games

  Michael Chan, Hong Kong

Manchester United are the only people who will be able to cope with the pressures of European football. Leeds do not have enough depth in their squad to cope with world class teams, and Arsenal do not have the experience. With the addition of Sol Campbell and a highly rated striker next summer , it seems that United's domination will carry on for a long time.
Oliver Hankinson-Parr, UK

The English teams won't win the trophy unless the FA could re-arrange the fixtures for their matches. They always need to play two big games in a week. This is the obstacle for their players as they are not yet fully recovered. And I think that having the experience in playing in European games is the most important factor. So I'd say Manchester United would have a greater chance, despite the fact they didn't play well in the first-stage games.
Michael Chan, Hong Kong

Reply to John Smith from England who claims Arsenal are a French side, does that mean the English national team are Swedish ? Does your team put out 11 English players ? I don't care if Arsenal put out 11 players from Mars, it's still Arsenal and what team can put out 11 English players ? I'm afraid you've had too many John Smiths which have garbled your brain or are you just jealous ? Au revoir little Englander.
A, England

Let's just be proud that England has three very good teams through to the next phase and support ALL of them

  Leon, English in US

I see no reason why we can't end up with the English clubs in the quarter-finals. People will look and say OK Man Utd are as good as there. Arsenal are in a group with Bayern Munich, but have they really anything to fear having come through a group with Lazio? Without trying to be to biased therefore, I don't feel that any of the English contingent has anything to fear.
Dan Richardson, France

As a born and bred Mancunian red, my team has more trophies than most, but a win should never be taken for granted or expected. Unfortunately that's the reason Man Utd had to go to the last game in the first round. Let's just be proud that England has three very good teams through to the next phase and support ALL of them. If my beloved reds fall, I will be behind Arsenal and Leeds with great enthusiasm as representatives of England, and I hope the country will do the same if United are the lone survivors.
Leon, English in US

It would be nice to think that Manchester United and Leeds were good enough to win the Champions League, but I feel that Arsenal are the only English side with the quality and depth of players and with enough desire to win.
Mark Craig, England

It's too early to predict. Man Utd have started slowly, but will only get better. Arsenal are one of the form teams, but may have peaked too soon. And Leeds are sure to cause a few upsets, and may get through to the knock-out stage. I think Spain has a stronger claim to being the number one country in Europe, in club football.
George, South Africa

In Leeds United, England has a young side to challenge and conquer the best of the continent if not the world

  Michael Richardson, Singapore (British expat)

If there's any chance for any of the three English teams to lift the ultimate prize, it'll definitely be Arsenal. Leeds will bow out of the competition gracefully in the second group stage and Man Utd's weak performances will see them out in the quarter-finals. The real threat remains as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Arsenal has the experience and half the French team to fend off any challenger and this could well be their finest year in European competitions.
Chew Chung Keong, Singapore

There has been a lot of talk of late with regards to the apparent fall of English football in comparison to the Spanish and Italian game. The qualification of all three of our teams and the demise of giants Juventus and Barcelona must surely silence the boo-boys. In Leeds United, England has a young side to challenge and conquer the best of the continent if not the world.
Michael Richardson, Singapore (British expat)

I would be very pleasantly surprised if one of the English wins the Champions League. If Leeds even come close, it will be a miracle. Surely lightning won't strike twice! Arsenal, remember, have a poor recent record in the competition and will do well to go on and win it. Man Utd will prove our best bet I think, as they will be stronger when Stam returns, but lack the spark that took them to the title in '98.
Chris Terrill, UK

Yes, an English club will win. Ironically, it's the Frenchmen that will bring this honour to the English soil.
Andrew Lim, KL, Malaysia

The Champions League has become a farce, although it may be more difficult with the amount of quality teams in the competition, you can lose three games and still go through. As for all you Man Utd fans, get your head out the clouds you'll never win the Champions League again. Last time Utd won it they were grouped with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Bromby and they only managed to beat one team in the group which was Bromby. Their bubble will burst soon enough and bring their glory-hunting fans down to earth with a bump. Arsenal are the only English team who could win it but I'm a little unsure of whether they will win it, I fancy Bayern Munich or Lazio.
Jordan Milsom, England

As a Leeds fan I want them to win it, but being realistic I think Arsenal have the best chance to bring home the trophy, sorry was there a third team????
Mark Neate, England

It's the same old story by the media...every time the English national team or club teams do well, they immediately put on the pressure and say we're going to win this, that or the other.

  Steve McBride, Malaysia

No English club will win the Champions League this season, however, the fantastic performances by all the teams means that we should no longer feel inferior to the Spanish or Italian teams. While no one would argue that they both have leagues with a greater degree of skill, ranging from the top to bottom clubs, we should no longer see it as their right to eat alone at the top table of European football.
Pete Cafferkey, UK

England has three teams, in the final group stages, capable of beating anyone on their day. But Barcelona and Juventus crashing out has shown that the overall standard in European football is very high this season, so many other teams are in with a shot.
Andy Morris, UK, Cardiff

Lets get it right two English teams, Leeds and Man Utd and one French side.
John Smith, England

There is no way that any English team could ever live with Real Madrid on top form - even without McManaman!! I just can't wait to see Gary and Phil Neville faced with the likes of Figo and Roberto Carlos. I think that only Arsenal could live with Real but they too have a suspect back line!!
Ray Lund, England

It's the same old story by the media...every time the English national team or club teams do well, they immediately put on the pressure and say we're going to win this, that or the other. There is a long way to go yet before the Champions League is concluded, so why don't you just give it a rest. The teams need support not additional stress because the media say they're going to win all the time.
Steve McBride, Malaysia

No. Not just yet. They still don't have enough experience of playing big matches like the Italians or Spanish. Also, English teams are still short of the winning mentality the continentals possess.
Hang Q Lee, Korea,

If you go by the recent form of all the clubs, Arsenal have the best chance to bring back the Cup back to England.
Srinivasa, India

Man Utd will win it without any doubts. Arsenal can make it to the last eight but not the semis. Leeds are still a young team and will do well but wont make it to the last eight.
Muntazir M Ali, USA

I think it will definitely be Arsenal or Manchester United who will win the title. The balance of power is and has changed from Italy to England although I'm sure few people on the continent would admit that. It all comes down to money, just look at the worlds top 20 richest clubs 10 of them are Premiership teams. Right now England is the place to play, with the exception of a handful of other clubs such as Lazio, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Dominic Owen, UK/US