It’s been a difficult few days for everybody associated with Arsenal.

Celtic will seek “clarification” from UEFA over referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco’s performance in the 3-0 Champions League defeat to Juventus at Parkhead on Tuesday night, manager Neil Lennon has revealed.

The best of the many pictures of the scrap between Roberto Mancini and Mario Balotelli showed the Manchester City manager curled into a kind of standing foetal position, clutching his head with his hands. The howl of rage was easy to imagine.

The Football Association has revealed its “absolute delight” at the release of both Fabrice Muamba and Trevor Francis from hospital.

Fabrice Muamba admits he will “forever be in debt” to the doctors who saved his life after he was released from hospital yesterday, 30 days after being admitted following his horrifying cardiac arrest.

Trevor Francis has today been discharged from hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack on Friday.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has laughed off the latest controversy surrounding fiery striker Mario Balotelli.

Darren Norris believes Alex Ferguson could become the greatest Champions League manager of all time if he wins tomorrow — a loss and Pep Guardiola rises further up the list

BOLTON boss Owen Coyle believes it is inevitable FA Cup goal hero Lee Chung-yong will go on to play for one of the leading clubs.

JOHN GILES says he was surprised that Liverpool broke their club record to sign Andy Carroll and has branded the €41 million transfer a gamble for the Merseyside club.

Birmingham’s promising midfielder Jordon Mutch wants to sign a new contract with the club.

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Birmingham boss Alex McLeish insists he “doesn’t envisage any hold-ups” regarding his new contract.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is monitoring West Ham’s Carlton Cole and Fulham’s Bobby Zamora as possible summer striker targets.

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Kevin Kilbane declared "everyone's future is on the line" under Steve Bruce, but feels the new Wigan boss will have plenty of reasons to be positive after watching a much-improved display at Emirates Stadium.

Manager Steve Bruce is finally hoping to sort out his long-term future at Birmingham - if his proposed contract gets the thumbs-up from prospective new owner Carson Yeung.

WHILE everyone recalls with nostalgia that Trevor Francis was the first million-pound footballer, there may not be so many recalling with fondness in future the advent of the £10 (€14.60) match programme.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan admits the Champions League showdown with Manchester United has come too soon for his side.

Birmingham chairman David Gold has re-affirmed his backing for manager Steve Bruce and insisted: “I couldn’t pick a better man to get us out of this dilemma.”

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Bolton manager Sam Allardyce believes one of the late Brian Clough’s major achievements in the game will never be repeated.

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Gary Kelly believes Leeds are long overdue a glorious cup run to put an end to the misery they have suffered in recent seasons.

Dietmar Hamann returned to a Liverpool side unbeaten in six games, with only three goals conceded, for the FA Cup tie with Crystal Palace.

WHEN Gerard Houllier starts talking in terms of “winning the war” you sense Liverpool are steeling themselves for a charge to glory in the final months of a controversial season.

Birmingham City have revealed pre-tax losses of £6.4million over the season in which they were promoted to the Premiership.

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Police are investigating an allegation of common assault made against football manager Trevor Francis, it was reported today.

Clinton Morrison is confident that he can make the step up to the Premiership after becoming Birmingham’s record signing in a £4m plus move from Crystal Palace.

Birmingham were hoping to tie up the £4.25m (€6.8m) signing of Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison today.

Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has dismissed claims Crystal Palace are a selling club and insists Clinton Morrison is going nowhere.

Clinton Morrison insists he will not be forced out of Crystal Palace if manager Trevor Francis swoops for another striker.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce took time out from celebrating his side’s 1-0 win over Millwall to focus on the Division One play-off final in Cardiff a week on Sunday.

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Matt Clarke has pleaded with the club’s fans not to blame their play-off failure on Ade Akinbiyi.

Crystal Palace today completed the signing of Leicester striker Ade Akinbiyi for £2.2m.

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Middlesbrough full-back Curtis Fleming for an undisclosed fee.

Trevor Francis has been named as the new Crystal Palace manager on a four-year contract.

Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan does not understand why manager Steve Bruce would want to leave Selhurst Park for Birmingham.

Managing a football club is a precarious business these days. We list the managers who have fallen by the wayside so far this season.

Birmingham City were put up for sale by David Sullivan today only days after the First Division club’s majority shareholder declared he was ‘‘worn out’’ by the abuse he has received from supporters.

Southampton have been criticised for their ‘‘totally destructive’’ attitude towards former manager Stuart Gray by League Managers’ Association chief John Barnwell.

Birmingham chairman David Gold has blamed a breakdown in the ‘‘chemistry’’ between the board of directors and Trevor Francis for the departure of the one-time St Andrews hero after five and a half years as manager.