Arsenal insist they have not had any contact with any potential buyers following reports an unnamed Middle Eastern consortium is planning a €1.75 billion bid to take over the Premier League club.

Manchester City face the mother of all battles to reach the knockout phase of the Champions League after being drawn in the toughest of the groups in Europe’s top club competition.

Premiership sponsors Barclaycard refused to be drawn on the effects the re-scheduling of ‘‘The Premiership’’ TV programme will have on them.