A few days ago, Mark Lawrenson argued that Arsene Wenger would probably 'fall on his sword' at the end of the season, especially if he failed to guide Arsenal into next season's Champions League. Liverpool legend Alan Hansen agrees with his former defensive partner, and believes the next 8-10 weeks could be the defining period of Wenger's reign.

By Chris Wright

Alan Hansen has been forced to apologise after unwittingly referring to the black players affected by the ongoing Suarez and Terry racism cases as 'coloured' not once but twice on Match of the Day last night.

Hansen, who was making a point about the strides made vis-a-vis racial tolerance in the modern game, said:

"I think there's a lot of coloured players in all the major teams and there are lots of coloured players who are probably the best in the Premier League.

What a result that was just when we needed it. I had said a week or so ago that the next three games could make or break our season just as everyone was writing Chelsea off, stating we were in a slump and a shadow of the side we used to be.
Three wins out of three against Newcastle, Valencia and last night against Manchester City has firmly put our season back on track!

Liverpool was hoping to put newly promoted Norwich to the sword in their quest...

Good morning from the wesht of Ireland again.

To the people who emailed me yesterday asking why there was no Arshavin content in the blog despite the title, well, I just meant it was a little short. As you might imagine there is a similar dearth of material today, just like yesterday, and today's blog could be Time Bandit sized.

Two of European football's giants face off tonight at the Camp Nou as Milan battle Barcelona in Group H of the Champions League. The Spanish side will be hoping to put one of the competitions most successful sides to the sword as the Rossoneri are only second in European Cup wins with seven, only two behind Los Cules' rivals Real Madrid.

Liverpool play Stoke in the Premier League this weekend, and with the quality reinforcements brought in by Tony Pulis over the summer, it's inevitably going to be a touch game.
The history of the fixture is quite interesting, so here are 10 little-known facts about Stoke-Liverpool (and one very well-known fact).

Two of Latvia's biggest clubs, Skonto Riga and FK Ventspils, will meet in the Triobet Baltic League final which takes place on Saturday, June 18th.

Skonto Riga already had one foot in the final following their 5-0 drubbing of compatriots Liepājas Metalurgs in the semi-final, first leg and today's second leg proved to be a drab affair.

Andy Carroll insists Liverpool are targeting a fifth-place finish in the Premier League after their 3-0 victory over Manchester City.
The January record signing grabbed his first goals for the club either side of Dirk Kuyt's well-placed effort as Kenny Dalglish's side put the visitors to the sword in an explosive first half display.

A first half double from Wayne Rooney ensured United remain unbeaten for the season in the EPL, as United put Villa to the sword at Old Trafford tonight.

Villa pulled one back in the second half courtesy of a close range Darren Bent strike before Nemanja Vidic secured the points for United 5 minutes later.

Bottom after five games, the Zebrette now lie eighth after an ascent founded on the most entertaining football in Italy.
Udinese's swashbucklers put Inter to the sword.

And so it came to pass that Arsenal's midweek Anglian aberration was put to the sword with a fine performance at Upton Park on Saturday. There's nothing like winning your next game to forget about losing your last one, and I'm in a forgetful enough mood now to have perked up no end. The equilibrium is once again balanced.

OK, so lose the honey do list and find time tomorrow to park your butt on the couch, blinker out all other distractions and settle down for the following belters...Man Utd vs Spurs and the Merseyside Derby, Liverpool vs Everton.

Should be two cracking games. Man Utd vs Spurs pits two teams who are doing well, while Liverpool vs Everton is a battle of the also rans.

The other day I made a funny image about Arshavin and his goal face. I said it made him look like he was constipated. Loyal readers commented that generally speaking I was a terrible human being for that. In response, over a twitter conversation with arseblogger, I ended up joking about making Arhsavin riding a unicorn, as though that would make Arsenal supporters happy.