With that result, second place is assured and we are through to the league stage of next year's Champs League. Leeds' 6-1 derby thrashing of Bradford on Sunday, incidentally, leaves the chase for 3rd wide open (both Leeds and Ipswich just a point behind Liverpool with a game to go, see table.

If, as UEFA are hinting, this is the last year for non-champions to qualify for the competition (the idea now being floated is to have league champions plus -- possibly -- cup winners from major nations), then next year is perhaps our last chance to match Man Utd's and Real Madrid's dubious distinction of being 'asterisk' winners of the European Cup despite not having won their own domestic league.

Rupe adds...

Also worth pointing out that the decision, which I'm sure many of us would welcome (especially if combined with the bringing back of the Cup-Winners' Cup) comes rather ironically just as England get a 4th place in the CL. Looks like we might enjoy just a single season of that. We'd hope that our overtaking Germany in the rankings would still be reflected in at least an extra UEFA Cup place, but who's brave enough to predict UEFA?

That Lennart Johansson's an Arsenal fan too, you know.

Andrew Gilbert points out that our European fortunes could depend to some extent on Barcelona. It looks like there will be 8 teams above us in European rankings, but if Barcelona fail to finish above 5th they won't be in the competition next year, and it looks like that would put Arsenal into the top group of seeds.

And guess who Barca have got next, away in the league? It seems that Alaves can do Arsenal fans a couple of favours this week!

Personally speaking, before Saturday I would have wanted Liverpool to win the UEFA cup. But now, well it's not so much spite as just not wanting to have to see Michael Owen's grin again so soon.