Fabregas & Champions League updates

The Gunners are happy this man is finally back.

Forgot to mention that Arsenal cruised as well in the Champions League qualifying today with a much more convincing result at home – 4-0, 6-0 on aggregate – against FC Twente. Nasri, Gallas, Walcott and Bendtner gave the Gunners easy passage into the group stages – ensuring that the EPL now has four teams with Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

That can only be bad news for the other European squads, as the English clubs are making it an annual ritual to advance deep into the tournament. Some fans, no doubt, would prefer for the final to not be an all-EPL affair this season.

We’ll have some fun discussion tomorrow, as the draw for the Champions League draw takes place at 12 p.m. ET. I’ll put a poll out then after we get a chance to check out some of the group placements.

The Arsenal victory was routine (although Liverpool proved once again that nothing is a gimmee), and the major news to come out of North London was that Cesc Fabregas was back in action. He was replaced in the 67th minute, and according to this article looked good in the midfield. Lord knows that’s good news for Arsenal, who couldn’t have looked much worse in the midfield on Saturday against Fulham.

The Gunners will need the Spaniard as they head toward their match on Saturday against a Newcastle team that looked impressive in earning a 1-1 opening day draw at Old Trafford and backed it up with a 1-0 result against Bolton. Arsenal can’t afford to slip too much in this early part of the season, and they should be taking advantage of a Ronaldo-less United that could lead to some lost points for the Reds before he returns.

If Arsenal doesn’t make any huge transfer pickups before the window closes, do you see this team being able to make a strong Champions League run outside of the EPL season?

Take a look at the different pools here for the Champions League drawing. Any particular drawings that you’re hoping for in the group stages?