London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger memorably announced his arrival as a revolutionary force in England by banning his players from eating sweets, but the Arsenal manager's reign has turned increasingly sour as he marks the 20th anniversary of his appointment. Arguably the most significant agent of change in the Premier League era, the 66-year-old's achievements […]

Glasgow (AFP) – This weekend will see the return of one of Scottish football's nastiest fixtures and no one is looking forward to it more than the Rangers players, manager Mark Warburton says. Sparks are sure to fly at Pittodrie on Sunday as the Glasgow giants make their way north to take on Aberdeen in […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus must "take command" of their opponents, thundered coach Massimiliano Allegri, as they look to warm up for a vital Champions League clash with a win at Palermo on Saturday. Juve pounced on Napoli's shock scoreless draw at Genoa on Wednesday to go top of Serie A with a one-point lead on […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger celebrates his 20th anniversary as Arsenal manager this weekend against opponents who have caused him more anguish than almost any other team. The Frenchman has won only five of his last 31 meetings against Chelsea and had his last major milestone — his 1,000th match as Arsenal manager — spoilt […]

Middlesbrough (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Kyle Walker has underlined the growing confidence at White Hart Lane by insisting Tottenham are targeting a clean sweep of honours this season. Mauricio Pochettino's side travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday sitting third in the Premier League table and in buoyant mood after thrashing Gillingham 5-0 in the League Cup […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool are building momentum after three successive wins in league and cup but manager Jurgen Klopp is pleading for patience when his team face Hull City at Anfield on Saturday. Klopp's men have swatted aside high-quality opponents in Arsenal, champions Leicester City and Chelsea this season with a brand of exciting, fast […]

Berlin (AFP) – Carlo Ancelotti's all-conquering German league leaders Bayern Munich face a Hamburg side in turmoil on Saturday with coach Bruno Labbadia under the threat of the axe after three straight defeats. Hamburg's 1-0 defeat at Freiburg on Tuesday followed their humiliating 4-0 drubbing at home to RB Leipzig last Saturday. Labbadia has been […]

Swansea (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola's perfect start at Manchester City suffered a rare setback when Vincent Kompany was injured midweek, but prolific Sergio Aguero returns for the Premier League leaders at Swansea on Saturday. Club captain Kompany has had a litany of injury problems over the last two years and was playing his […]

Madrid (AFP) – A Barcelona side missing injured Lionel Messi face Sporting Gijon in the first of three away games in a week, as they battle to keep pace with La Liga leaders Real Madrid on Saturday. Messi suffered the recurrence of a groin strain in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid that will keep […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger celebrates 20 years as Arsenal manager this week. AFP Sports looks back at the high points and low moments from the Frenchman's memorable reign: – HIGHS – Double delight Nothing better encapsulated the Wenger revolution than the sight of committed but cumbersome defender Tony Adams reborn as a swashbuckling goalscorer […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United eased some of the pressure on manager Jose Mourinho by beating Northampton Town in midweek but that will count for little if they lose to Premier League champions Leicester City on Saturday. United halted a run of three successive losses –- the first time Mourinho had suffered such […]

London (AFP) – AFP Sports picks out five Arsene Wenger quotes as the Frenchman celebrates 20 years as Arsenal manager this week: "To remain unbeaten in a championship like the English championship now is really unbelievable. I want to win the Champions League but, really, this is more important. It is something amazing, something special. […]

Given how relentless and complex the coverage of soccer has become, sometimes a player can stand out by carrying out basic duties with unbending conviction. Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, the shining star of the Premier League season so far, is a footballer who does the simple things supremely. With the Pep Guardiola era in […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Underfire Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney said on Thursday he shuts his ears to criticism of his performances coming from outside the club. The 30-year-old England skipper — who came in for particular criticism after United lost three successive games last week — told MUTV he is used to having […]

Monaco (AFP) – Striker Radamel Falcao left hospital on Thursday after staying overnight for a head injury caused by what his Monaco coach branded a "rugby tackle" in the 4-0 Ligue 1 defeat to Nice. Falcao took a heavy knock to the head when he was caught in a sandwich between goalkeeper Yoan Cardinale and […]