thegame thegame

What The Papers Say: 8-04-2008

Tue 08 Apr, 10:50 AM


The 4thegame.com regular feature that brings you the best of the coverage from the UK press. It's not a mere news round-up, but instead gives you all the top headlines, outrageous puns and crazy stories...

Headline of the day...

APRIL FOOL

Arsene Wenger's claims that Arsenal can still win the double this season have been met with some amusement by the papers, with the Daily Mirror calling him an April Fool and pointing out that you can get odds of 125-1 on that 'miracle' at the bookies.

Hold the back page...

WE WILL WIN THE TITLE NOW

The Daily Mail are in similarly mocking mood about Wenger's claims, pointing out that they have won only one of their last six games.

'WE SHALL OVERCOME' PREACHES WENGER THE FERVENT BELIEVER

The Independent are a little more balanced in their coverage: "The power of positive thinking had the Arsenal manager in its thrall when he arrived at Anfield yesterday on a run of 11 games that have yielded only two victories."

ALL OR NOTHING

The Daily Telegraph say that while Wenger is in bullish mood, tonight's match represents a make-or-break last chance for them.

MOMENT OF TRUTH FOR BENITEZ AND WENGER

The Guardian point out that Benitez is in a similar position to Wenger: "Delirium or despair awaits Anfield tonight but Rafael Benitez has insisted that his Liverpool reign cannot be judged on the Champions League quarter-final with Arsenal."

CECH OUT!

The Sun meanwhile report on Petr Cech's new injury fears after a training ground collison with Tal Ben Haim left him needing 50 stitches and possibly out for the season.

OH NO NOT AGAIN

The Daily Express quote one source as saying: "It seemed part of Cech's face was virtually hanging off." Nice...

HENRY TO END PAIN IN SPAIN

Meanwhile, the Daily Star say that Barcelona have put Thierry Henry up for sale after a miserable first season for him in La Liga.

Other top stories...

THE LAST MAN STANDING

The Daily Mail take a look at the pressure on both Wenger and Benitez tonight, with the former particularly under the cosh: "Two games into the four matches that Arsene Wenger said amounted to Arsenal's 'moment of truth' and the response from his players has not been terribly encouraging."

WINNING ISN'T EVERYTHING.. IT'S THE ONLY THING

Benitez reveals his winners' mentality in the Daily Mirror: "I have always been like that since I was little myself. I hated to lose. Ask my wife. She says to me 'you never let the girls win at anything' and it is true. Maybe sometimes I let the little one win once, but with the older one I always try to win." Rafa - not father of the year...

RAFA'S WIN HEAVEN

In The Sun, he explains that the 1981 European Cup Final between Liverpool and Real Madrid (when he was on the coaching staff at Madrid) was a formative experience: "I still have that game on a Betamax tape. Liverpool ruined my day then because I hate to lose. I hate it."

BENITEZ OUT TO EXPLODE MYTH OF WENGER'S TEAM BUILDING

He also seems to hate the story about how Wenger has built a team full of inexperienced and overachieving youngsters, reports The Independent.

XABI IS AFTER FINAL SAY

That antipathy seems to be mirrored on the pitch, with Spaniards Cesc Fabgregas and Xabi Alonso likely to be a bit frosty with each other tonight after the Arsenal midfielder criticised Liverpool's tactics on Saturday, reports the Daily Express.

ARSENAL FORTIFIED BY BELIEF THAT STYLE CAN OVERCOME SUBSTANCE

And back to Wenger, who The Times compare to Comical Ali in his belief in his team, saying: "In other words, Wenger is pinning his season on the most precarious belief system: that of the best team winning."

ADEBAYOR OBEYS LAW OR SUPPLY AND DEMAND

Meanwhile, The Guardian analyse the form of Emmanuel Adebayor this season and the lack of support that he has at the moment.

UNITED RELIEF OVER FERDINAND INJURY

The Daily Telegraph say that Man United are relieved to have learned that Rio Ferdinand did not break a metatarsal against Middlesbrough and will not be out for very long.

More from 4thegame.com...

4thegame Arsenal homepage

4thegame Liverpool homepage

4thegame features