Former Arsenal captain Frank McLintock insists the Gunners must buy a striker in the January transfer window if they want to win the Barclays Premier League table.

WHEN Arsenal decide whether they should add any more statues to the three they unveiled outside the Emirates Stadium on Friday, Robin van Persie’s name will be top of the list.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger accepts goalscoring captain Robin van Persie will always grab the headlines, but maintains it is a collective team effort which has turned the Gunners’ season around.

Arsenal 1 Everton 0

IT does not take a genius to know that leadership is a prerequisite for success in any walk of life, but one of the conundrums that surrounds Arsenal, and a reason why many observers fear for their future under Arsene Wenger, was encapsulated by an incident in the closing stages of their fortuitous victory over Swansea City.

Anyone who has ever watched Soccer Saturday will be familiar with the banter-loving, satirical, humorous and outrageously witty Jeff Stelling who anchors the show, but the Hartlepool native also has a serious side. But not too serious!

WE bumped into Frank McLintock outside our turnstile at Wembley on Sunday and I was hoping this might be a good omen. I jokingly suggested to our double winning skipper that “I wouldn’t mind having you in the middle of the park this afternoon”.

The North today witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of grief and affection for soccer legend George Best as his funeral ceremony began in Stormont’s Parliament Buildings.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 boss Don Givens has warned his young players to sharpen their minds otherwise their European Championship qualifying hopes will be torn to shreds.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Under-21 manager Don Givens believes his side are crying out for a Roy Keane-type figure to shout and bawl at players.

ARSENAL were last night facing up to the unsavoury prospect of life without Patrick Vieira as the French World Cup winner seemed to edge closer to a move to Real Madrid.

Arsenal were tonight facing up to the unsavoury prospect of life without Patrick Vieira as the French World Cup winner seemed to edge closer to a move to Real Madrid.

ATTEMPTING to physically undermine Joe Jordan in footballing days gone by was only slightly less dangerous than offering a “no comment” to Tomas de Torquemada.

ARSENAL have vowed never to sell the architect of Tuesday night's San Siro sensation.

SOMETIMES it’s a pity that our Monsieur Le Prof is such a pragmatist. After a vintage Dennis Bergkamp performance on Saturday, of the scintillating sort that some of the more sceptical amongst us thought they’d long since seen the last, personally, in Wenger’s place I would have stuck Dennis in a cab straight from St. Andrews and made certain his driver didn’t spare the horses until he’d reached the San Siro.

Frank McLintock is expecting trouble for Arsenal after their players’ behaviour at the end of Sunday’s goalless draw at Old Trafford.

BELLY-dancers, sportsmen and former pop stars were yesterday promoting a variety of weird and wonderful garden designs at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.

FORMER Arsenal captain Frank McLintock has expressed his disbelief that current skipper Patrick Vieira is planning to ask Arsene Wenger to give him a rest just five league games into the new season.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has told Patrick Vieira to carry on playing as there are no immediate plans to rest him despite his plea for a break from action as he is exhausted.

Tony Adams’ career was celebrated in his second testimonial tonight after 19 years’ faithful service to Arsenal.