Arsene's men still the team to watch but return of Essien tips the balance in Carlo's favour

They have a real aura about them at the moment and after winning the Double, there is no doubting the one they want this season is the Champions League.

The real difference and, perhaps, the missing piece in the jigsaw for Carlo Ancelotti is the return from injury of Michael Essien (left). The guy can play anywhere. He's the best holding midfielder in the League and he showed with his two goals against West Ham, that he can be just as good if he plays further forward. Quite simply, he's the most complete midfielder in world football.

If Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard can keep their form going, then I see no reason why Chelsea can't, finally, go all the way.

Arsenal are still a team I love to watch and their passing style is so similar to Barcelona's. Yet that is where the comparison ends. How many Arsenal players would get in the Barca team? Cesc Fabregas maybe. Gael Clichy possibly. But Robin van Persie? Not in front of David Villa.

The Gunners couldn't cope with the step up in class against Lionel Messi and Xavi last season but it's not just against the best in Europe that they struggle. Arsenal lost to Chelsea and Manchester United both home and away in the Premier League last term and this is the fundamental problem for Arsene Wenger's side and why I can't see them winning the Champions League.

Yes, they will miss Van Persie while out injured and yes, Fabregas is a wonderful player who could get in most sides in the world. But even if they were both 100 per cent fit, the team still doesn't know how to beat the really top sides. If the Gunners get to the semi-finals, then they will have overachieved.

As for their north London rivals, it's great to see Tottenham in the competition. Harry Redknapp will be disappointed they threw away a two-goal lead against Werder Bremen but he would have taken a point before the game and there's no reason why they can't qualify for the last 16.

For all the English sides, including United, the main threat will again be from Spain. Barcelona will be hurting from losing to Inter in the semi-finals and still play the fantasy football everyone wants to see. And you can't dismiss Real Madrid now that the 'Special One' Jose Mourinho is in charge.

His attention to detail and discipline is second to none and that's something the nine-time winners have been missing recently. I can see Barcelona winning La Liga but a Real Madrid v Chelsea Champions League Final at Wembley in May? Now that would really be special.