He might not have had the best World Cup, but Lionel Messi reminded everyone what a truly exceptional player he is with a virtuoso performance in the Champions League this week.

He was in unstoppable form during Barcelona's 5-1 thrashing of Panathinaikos, scored twice, and is in a class by himself. He is a treat to watch when he is in that kind of mood, and I would pay to watch him every day when he's like that.

I hope it continues for years to come.

It wasn't just Messi who shone though, Cesc Fabregas was equally as good for Arsenal in their destruction of Braga. His was another performance to admire and it proved how committed he is to the Arsenal cause.

Again it is a pleasure to see because the club needs him, he is a key component in Arsene Wenger's plans. Like Messi and Barcelona, Fabregas and Arsenal try and play football the right way, and more teams need to follow their example.

It was a mixed week for English teams in Europe, and while Chelsea, like Arsenal, made a fairly firm statement of intent, Manchester United were found wanting against a disciplined if unadventurous Glasgow Rangers.

From a spectators' point of view you can't help but agree with Sir Alex Ferguson's frank assessment that Rangers played an unattractive brand of anti-football.

For me, Walter Smith's defence-minded tactics were spot on.

Let's be realistic, top-level football is about one thing and one thing only; results. As long as you get the result, you can say what you want, and Rangers got the result they so desired.

As for Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, you would expect them to do well in Europe considering their esteemed coaches.

Both Jose Mourinho and Louis Van Gaal have been there, done that and got the T-shirt. They know what it takes to get the job done.

But Madrid's fans will need to be patient with the self proclaimed 'special one' because he has assembled a new squad of players and it will take time for the players to gel.

I see Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has been the subject of controversy again this week.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle and his Blackburn counterpart Sam Allardyce have hit out at Wenger, suggesting his continual complaints over injuries suffered by Arsenal players as a result of reckless tackles are hypocritical and designed to influence referees.

What does Wenger expect? Teams to turn up at the Emirates Stadium and let Arsenal have it their own way?

Everyone knows the best way to combat Arsenal's free flowing passing game is to ruffle their feathers. That's just part of the game, it's no different from 30 years ago.

I don't know why Wenger feels the need makes these comments when his players go into tackles in exactly the same way.

It doesn't make sense to complain about it, when you have exceptional players you have to accept they will get thumped every now and again.

Turning to the weekend, obviously the big match is between archrivals Manchester United and Liverpool.

This game is usually like a war, there's certainly no love lost between them.

As for my beloved West Ham United, well, we desperately need to got off the mark against Stoke.

Our coach, Avram Grant, still needs time; he has proven what he can do in situations like this in the past so we need to have faith.

At least I can take solace from the form of Scott Parker, he reminds me of Billy Bonds, all over the place and giving 100 percent all the time. If we had a few more like him we would be okay.