ARSENE WENGER has been here before.

WHEN Harry Redknapp sits down this morning to reflect on a victory that takes his side back into the Premier League top four, the Tottenham manager could be forgiven for concluding that he did a pretty fine job, considering how events appeared to conspire against him.

NO wonder Anfield was subdued.

LIVERPOOL have signed highly rated England youth international Raheem Sterling from Queens Park Rangers for around €560,000.

DAVID BECKHAM may have been aware of Stuart Holden’s potential when the British-born USA international midfielder slipped under the transfer deadline radar and joined Bolton in January but his performance in a vital victory over Wolves suggests English football may be hearing much more from him before this year is completed.

THE two Italian coaches new to the Premier League must be baffled by how much attention can be focused on a handshake that might never happen but that’s how it is in English football at the moment.

CARLO ANCELOTTI insists John Terry will not be distracted by the controversy over whether Wayne Bridge will shake his hand when Chelsea meet Manchester City at Stamford Bridge today.

MICHAEL CARRICK has admitted he is a changed man thanks to life at Old Trafford.

SKIPPER Stiliyan Petrov insists Aston Villa are not heading to Wembley just to make up the numbers in tomorrow’s Carling Cup final with Manchester United and claimed: “it will only be enjoyable if we win.”

ARSENE WENGER may have described it as a “non-trophy” but Alex Ferguson insists the Carling Cup is a pot worth winning.

EVERTON manager David Moyes saw his side humbled in Lisbon for the second time this season and crash out of the Europa League in the process.

JOHN CAREW won and converted two late penalties to keep Aston Villa on course for a second Wembley final as they disposed of Crystal Palace in an FA Cup fifth round replay at Villa Park.

NEMANJA VIDIC wants to make up for lost time in his injury-disrupted season, just as Rio Ferdinand has been sidelined again.

ARSENE WENGER insists Arsenal should not be “ashamed” by their efforts this season – whatever the outcome of the Premier League title race.

WEMBLEY beckons but Manchester United last night demonstrated that winning an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title remains at the top of Alex Ferguson’s list of priorities as they warmed up for Sunday’s Carling Cup final by moving to within one point of leaders Chelsea in the table.

FORMER Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva is confident one trophy will spark a bigger haul for the Gunners. The Brazilian won the Premier League as a member of the 2003/04 side and played his part in the 2005 FA Cup victory – Arsenal’s last trophy.

AS awful as Saturday’s performance against Wolves was, it was still heartening to know that we can play badly and grind out a victory – something which we were once past masters at.

MICHAEL CARRICK insists the only way to treat Saturday’s crushing defeat at Everton is as a one-off.

IRISH FOOTBALL’S greatest defender has given Richard Dunne the ultimate seal of approval, Paul McGrath saying that the Aston Villa man should be given the captain’s armband for his country.

REAL MADRID general manager Jorge Valdano insists the club are not interested in taking England striker Wayne Rooney to the Bernabeu Stadium.