Former Arsenal striker Tony Woodcock has urged Robin van Persie to resist Manchester City’s advances and remain loyal to the Gunners. Woodcock called on the prolific Dutch striker to stay put after his future was left in doubt following a round of talks with the Arsenal hierarchy over a new £130,000-per-week three-year deal. Italian giants Juventus have ruled out a move for Van Pers...Full Story »

Liverpool have been given permission by Wigan Athletic to talk to coach Roberto Martinez about becoming the next manager at Anfield, a day after Kenny Dalglish was sacked. "He's going there with an open mind," Wigan chairman Dave Whelan told Sky Sports News on Thursday. "We would love to keep Roberto, he's a great manager. But there are two or three clubs looking for a new manager and Robert...Full Story »

Michael Owen is on the lookout for a new club after Sir Alex Ferguson told the striker his contract was not being renewed. Owen made just four appearances this season and has been hampered by injuries since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer of 2009. The 32-year-old former England striker last played in November before picking up a thigh injury but he turned out for United in Harry Gregg...Full Story »

GISSA CUDDLE ... Frank Lampard and Roberto Di Matteo after Napoli KO FRANK LAMPARD looked back three months to Chelsea’s miserable defeat in Naples and admitted: “I don’t think any of us that night thought we would be where we are now.” Lampard was dumped on the subs’ bench against the Italians — axed by former boss Andre Villas-Boas — and the Blues we...Full Story »

There is, at this early stage, absolutely no reason to panic. Roy Hodgson has everything under control and he could yet prove a genius when it comes to knowing what is best for England’s international footballers. But it is a bit of a concern when we see Nigel de Jong arriving in Lausanne to join the Holland squad preparing for Euro 2012 on the day Wayne Rooney touches down in Las Vegas...Full Story »

Arsenal are adamant Jack Wilshere will be ready for the start of pre-season despite growing fears over his long-term fitness. The club said the midfielder, 20, will have surgery in Sweden in the next few days to clear up a problem in his left knee. Knee-sy does it: Wilshere is to undergo an operation on his knee Wilshere missed all of last season with a stress fracture of an ankle — w...Full Story »

Fabio Capello wants the Chelsea job and is back in the frame. The former England manager, 65, will travel from northern Italy to watch the Champions League final in Munich, which could prove the finest hour for interim boss Roberto Di Matteo. It is the senior Italian, however, who will be most confident of a place in the Chelsea dugout next season after being given encouragement by a leadin...Full Story »

IN DEMAND ... Arsenal's Robin van Persie PATRICK VIEIRA last night ignited a bitter war with old club Arsenal by announcing: You’re going to lose Robin van Persie — and it will be your fault. Striker RVP is wanted by champs Manchester City, where Vieira is now in charge of football development. And the Gunners legend warned his former boss Arsene Wenger that Theo Walcott and Jack ...Full Story »

Manchester United are bracing themselves for a new supporter backlash after their latest accounts revealed they lost £71million to financial obligations imposed by owners the Glazers over the last nine months. While neighbours Manchester City have been taking the Barclays Premier League trophy from them and signing players like Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure in recent times, figures relea...Full Story »

A small door off the players' changing room at Wembley Stadium leads to a place known as the warm-up area. It was there, before the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur on April 15, that Didier Drogba put on his trainers and went through his usual pre-match exercise routine. Nothing special. Stretches. An acceleration programme. It wasn't what he was doing that caught the eye. It was ...Full Story »