LaNUBlog™

Before every Arsenal fixture, we’ll bring you a Scouting Report on the Gunners’ next opponents. Arsène Wenger's side host Hull City at Emirates Stadium on Thursday. To find out more, we asked tactical expert Michael Cox. MICHAEL COX This weekend’s FA Cup third-round meeting with

Arsenal’s win over Newcastle marked the 50th match of what was a very busy 2014 for Santi Cazorla. The first to reach half a century of games during the calendar year, an indication of the Spanish international’s importance to Arsène Wenger, the more

Brazilian fans were left distraught by the team's performance Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has urged the country to bounce back after its catastrophic 7-1 World Cup defeat against Germany. "Like all Brazilians, I am very, very sad after the defeat. But we will not let ourselves be broken," she tweeted.

Former captain Waqar Younis has been appointed Pakistan coach for the second time, nearly three years after quitting for personal and health reasons. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced in a statement that Waqar had been given a two-year contract. Waqar, 42, said: "My immediate aim is to prepare the team for the upcoming busy season and next year's World Cup."

Warwickshire made it back-to-back Division One wins as they claimed the extra half hour to beat Middlesex by an innings and 37 runs at Edgbaston. After trailing by 297 on first innings, Middlesex lunched at ease on 100-1. But the Bears had the best of the afternoon session, removing captain Chris Rogers (82) and Sam Robson (68). And, from 155-1, the Middlesex collapse continued, Jeetan Patel (4-78) taking wickets in successive balls as the visitors were bowled out for 248.

Nuneaton Town manager Brian Reid has made his first signing by bringing in defender Ben Starosta. The 6ft former Poland Under-20 right-back, who has signed a one year deal, subject to international clearance, played league football with Brentford, Bradford City and Aldershot.

Warwickshire's director of cricket Dougie Brown says Sam Hain's Championship debut was a "massive tick" for the club. Batsman Hain, 18, made 42 in his first innings for the Bears in their convincing win over Middlesex. "We knew he had ability but, until you get the chance to play at this level, you don't know what that ability is going to be," Brown Said.

Goalkeeper Lee Burge has pledged his immediate future to Coventry City after agreeing a new three-year contract with the League One club. Burge, 21, has been a regular in the Sky Blues' Under-21 side throughout 2013-14 and has come through the club's academy system. "We believe that Lee has

Chairman Brian Lee says the Football Conference will resist the Football Association commission's B-league plan. FA chairman Greg Dyke aims to improve opportunities for young English players by creating a new tier between the Conference and League Two. Lee fears the idea will harm the lower leagues and doubts it will go ahead.

The start of the match was delayed while officials spoke to fans Three Napoli football fans were injured by gunfire in Rome before the Italian cup final between Napoli and Fiorentina, Italian media report.

British D-Day veterans are said to have faced a battle against time to fill in the paperwork needed to ensure they can attend the 70th anniversary commemorations of the World War Two landing in Normandy. About 900 members of the British Normandy Veterans' Association are due to attend the events.

The announcement that teachers are to hold a national strike in England and Wales in June over pay and workload issues attracts comment. The Guardian says the vote at the National Union of Teachers' conference was accompanied by an "acrimonious debate"over the prospect of more aggressive action.

Around three-quarters of those who stow away in plane wheel wells do not survive A 16-year-old boy has survived an extraordinary journey hidden in the wheel well of a five-hour flight from California to Hawaii.

Steven Gerrard would be regarded as the best player in the world if Liverpool win the Premier League, according to Luis Suarez. A Premier League medal is the only item of silverware missing from Gerrard's collection at club level, with the midfielder having already won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield.

Lewis Hamilton eased to a third consecutive grand prix win in China on Sunday to reduce Nico Rosberg's championship lead to four points. The Mercedes driver produced a masterclass in wet conditions to take pole on Saturday and was in a class of his own once again at the Shanghai International Circuit as he took the chequered flag 18.6 seconds ahead of team-mate Rosberg.

Nemanja Matic insists Chelsea were not guilty of underestimating their opponents in Saturday's shock 2-1 defeat to Sunderland. Chelsea's hopes of claiming the Premier League title were severely dented as a late penalty from Fabio Borini, the striker on loan at Sunderland from leaders Liverpool, secured a famous win for Gus Poyet's relegation-threatened side.

Gus Poyet feels his resurgent Sunderland side are capable of "anything" between now and the end of the Premier League season. Having appeared almost certain to suffer relegation, Poyet's side have been given fresh hope of survival courtesy of two outstanding performances at teams contending for the title.

Vissel Kobe came from behind twice to win 3-2 at Kashima Antlers and move top of the J.League. The Antlers led the standings two weeks ago but had only themselves to blame after suffering a second successive defeat.

Defending champions Pohang Steelers continue to set the pace in the K-League after a 1-0 victory at Seoul on Sunday. A 77th-minute goal from Kim Seung-Dae gave Pohang all three points against their struggling opponents, the attacker finding the net for the 10th time in all competitions this season.

Antonio Conte has backed Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco to force his way into Italy's FIFA World Cup squad. The former Parma man has started only five Serie A games for the champions this season, largely due to the form of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente.