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

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.

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.

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.

Alexandre Lacazette is set to be named in France's FIFA World Cup squad, according to Lyon head coach Remi Garde. The 22-year-old has been one of the stand-out performers for Lyon this season, notching 14 goals in 30 Ligue 1 appearances.

Diego Simeone has urged Atletico Madrid to re-focus on La Liga after the euphoria of their UEFA Champions League win over Barcelona. Atletico reached their first semi-final of the continent's premier club competition since 1973-74 with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Barca at a raucous Vicente Calderon on Wednesday, with Koke's early volley proving enough to earn a 2-1 aggregate success.

Juventus visit Udinese on Monday hoping to become the first away side to win at Stadio Friuli since January. Udinese may sit 14th in the table but they are unbeaten in their last seven home matches in all competitions. That run has involved five wins, including triumphs against Fiorentina and Milan, and Juve, who top the league by eight points in their bid for a third successive title, will need to be at their best.

Harry Kewell was non-committal on taking up a role in Melbourne Heart's A-League future after bringing down the curtain on his playing days. Former Australia international Kewell was unable to captain his team to victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park – a result that means the Heart will conclude the campaign at the foot of the A-League standings. A close-season of change lies in wait, with a fresh name and a switch in team colours though to be likely as new owners the City Group look to bring their Melbourne outfit in line with Manchester City and Major League Soccer sister club New York City.

Juan Mata scored twice as he helped Manchester United warm up for a daunting trip to Bayern Munich with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Newcastle in the Premier League at St James' Park on Saturday. The Spaniard curled in a brilliant free-kick to put the champions ahead six minutes before half-time and the 37.1 million ($61.2m, 44.8m euros)