Champions League Quarter-finalists: There was no strength in numbers. England, uniquely, was allowed five entrants into the Champions League yet Arsenal alone, by conquering Real Madrid, have found a way into today's draw for the quarter-finals.

The failure is all the more perplexing because the Premiership had got used to at last enjoying credibility on the continent. Liverpool, removed by Benfica on Wednesday, are the holders and at least one English club have featured in the semi-finals in four of the past five seasons.

The bald facts that have mounted up in recent months are far from the worst of it. Manchester United's ejection at the group stage is still shocking because qualification looked a cinch. The passage of time has done little to mitigate the embarrassment. How on earth could Alex Ferguson's team have come bottom, winning only one game when Ruud van Nistelrooy's 85th-minute goal defeated Benfica?

The common factor among England's foundering sides must be barren attacking, although Everton will argue a refereeing decision at Villarreal was their insuperable problem.

Though Benfica are the reigning champions of Portugal, coach Ronald Koeman has been struggling beneath the weight of that honour, which he inherited from his predecessor Giovanni Trapattoni. The load seems to lighten only when he catches sight of an English club. It barely seemed feasible Benfica could eliminate Liverpool, but the prospects glow when the opposition cannot score in either leg. The Anfield club, despite Rafael Benitez's plea for funds, have not been stingy, yet the quality of the strikers remains moderate.

The problem was so severe Benitez was entirely correct to bring the much-injured Robbie Fowler back to the club. He may not have scored since arriving in January but perhaps he is simply demonstrating solidarity with Peter Crouch, Fernando Morientes and Djibril Cisse, who are suffering from the same statistic in the Premiership.

Chelsea were drab when a vivid performance was essential in Barcelona. They do possess a world-class striker, but somehow Hernan Crespo always looks like a man whose career is in the Stamford Bridge departure lounge. His expressions of nostalgia for Italy suggested he was a temporary contributor to the Chelsea cause.

Apart from finishing power, the English teams have lacked panache in and around the penalty area. With such a paucity of showmanship, it is no surprise that the odds are now against an English club appearing in the final on May 17th in Paris.

Arsenal are not without hope of being there and if they have been better suited to this season's tournament than the other English clubs it may be because they have the Premiership's best striker. It was Thierry Henry's goal at the Bernabeu which settled the tie with Real Madrid.

Given the other results, this is scarcely the moment to scoff at the achievements of Arsenal, but the draw that pitted them against Real was resonant rather than intimidating.

Their foes were an illustrious club with a poor team. There was proof for Arsenal, with victory in the first leg, that the La Liga side are just draining the dregs of greatness.

Pride kept Real going at Highbury but their moves looked laboured, particularly because of the contrast with an energetic Arsenal line-up.

Jose Antonio Reyes was fully engaged this time and Alexander Hleb had his best game since being signed by Wenger. Perhaps it is all coming right for Arsenal.

Despite the anguish of the domestic campaign, there has been the windfall of constant excellence from a man who could have been pardoned if he had creaked and failed. Jens Lehmann, at 36, is in the form of his life. His reflex save from Raul, made while scrambling to get back to his feet, could have passed for the reaction of a springing teenager.

If Arsenal are unlucky in the draw, however, there may be quite a few more chances for Lehmann to prove his unexpectedly growing worth. Guardian Service

Quarter Finalists

AC Milan, Arsenal, Barcelona, Benfica, Juventus, Lyon, Villareal, Inter Milan or Ajax. Quarter-final draw takes place today, and will be televised by Eurosport from 11.15am