Mertesacker the BFG spares Wenger's blushes

Arsenal were indebted to Per Mertesacker, affectionately known as 'BFG' by Gunners supporters, as the gargantuan German headed past Wigan keeper Scott Carson to wipe out the Latics' FA Cup semi-final lead and help them towards victory at Wembley.

Barely 20 minutes prior to levelling the scores, the former Werder Bremen centre-back has scythed down Callum McManaman inside the box to gift Wigan a penalty, but made amends with his back-post header deep into the second half.

Arsenal continued to lay siege to Wigan's goal in extra-time but, unable to find a breakthrough, booked their place in the final via a confident penalty shoot-out display – relieving the pressure on Arsene Wenger as his side bid to end their nine-year wait for silverware.

Sunday, 13 April 2014 09:48

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Arsenal protest at FA Cup final ticket allocation

Arsenal have expressed their frustration after being allocated just 25,000 tickets for the FA Cup final against Hull City in May.

The Gunners booked their place in the showpiece with victory over Wigan Athletic in the semi-final where they were handed 49,000 tickets.

However, the Football Association have confirmed both finalists will receive 25,000 tickets with 20,000 given to volunteers while 17,000 tickets will be handed to Club Wembley members.

Tuesday, 15 April 2014 12:24

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Rodgers' Liverpool juggernaut powers on

Liverpool's remarkable season chugs on - their first title win since 1990 is edging ever closer.

Manchester City threatened to derail Brendan Rodgers and his side after coming back from two goals behind at Anfield on Sunday.

But the Reds fired up the engines once again to rally back and find a winning goal, via Philippe Coutinho, to move seven points clear of third-placed City.

Just four games now stand in the way of the Anfield club as they strive to bring an end to 24 years without a top-flight title.

Can they do it? All the signs suggest they most certainly can...

Monday, 14 April 2014 11:00

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Guardiola prepares for Madrid return

During his time at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola had some enjoyable battles against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

And the 43-year-old is now preparing for another test in the Spanish capital as Bayern Munich will meet Madrid in their Champions League semi-final tie.

Will Guardiola guide Bayern to the final in Lisbon?

Saturday, April 12, 2014 12:00

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Moyes the Champions League castaway

Manchester United have been cast into the wilderness following Wednesday night’s Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich.

With David Moyes’ men seven points behind fourth spot in the Premier League, winning the Champions League this year was their only real hope of staying in the competition for another season.

And now it will be 18 months, at the very least, before United will be back facing the best Europe has to offer.

Thursday, April 10, 2014 12:00

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Valencia stage stunning Europa League revival

Valencia staged a remarkable comeback against Basel to set up a Europa League semi-final clash with Sevilla.

Juan Antonio Pizzi's men headed into the second leg after a 3-0 defeat in Switzerland last Thursday but despite a semi-final place looking well out of reach, the Spanish club managed to score three goals in 90 minutes before Paco Alcacer completed his hat-trick in extra time, while Juan Bernat rounded off the 5-0 win with a late effort.

Friday, April 11, 2014 12:00

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Can Moyes catch Guardiola?

Manchester United have kept themselves alive in their Champions League quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich - but can David Moyes' men stun Pep Guardiola's side at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening?

Wednesday, 9 April 2014 12:00

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Archie Andrews

I heard that they killed Archie Andrews. They are killing too much cartoon characters these days

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Magic Honda extends AC Milan's run

After a shaky start, Clarence Seedorf looks like he's getting AC Milan on the right track.

Monday night's 2-1 win over Genoa was the club's third straight victory in Serie A, while two of their January arrivals found the target.

Adel Taarabt's superb drive from 25 yards opened the scoring after 20 minutes, while Keisuke Honda netted his first goal for the club with a delicate chip over Mattia Perin.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014 12:00

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Wenger surrenders as Arsenal are put to the sword

Sunday's encounter between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park was expected to be an evenly matched contest between two sides battling to claim Champions League football – instead it turned out to be a procession.

Arsene Wenger and his men were vanquished with relative ease, outmatched in almost every department and virtually unfurling the white flag before the referee had even called time on the first half.

Goals from Steven Naismith and Romelu Lukaku handed Everton a first-half advantage, before Mikel Arteta netted a killer own goal on the hour mark, as the Toffees' devastating attacking put Arsenal, and their meek resistance, to the sword.

Everton, now a point behind Arsenal but with a game in hand on the north Londoners, are firmly in the driving seat to clinch fourth place.

For Wenger, it might not be the only time he is forced to surrender to Martinez; the Frenchman is under increased pressure at the Emirates Stadium and there is a growing campaign – recently voiced by club legend Ian Wright – to see the Spaniard replace him.

Monday, April 7, 2014 09:00

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