LONDON, Feb 19 (Reuters) – Bayern Munich seized control of their Champions League last 16 tie against Arsenal as goals from Toni Kroos, Thomas Mueller and Mario Mandzukic earned the German giants an emphatic 3-1 first leg win at the Emirates on Tuesday.

A clinical early strike from Kroos opened the scoring and when Mueller made it 2-0 midway through the first half the visiting fans were already in party mood.

LONDON COLNEY, England (Reuters) – Arsene Wenger had more on his mind than a looming clash with Bayern Munich on Monday as the agitated Arsenal boss snapped over reports saying he had agreed a two-year contract extension.

The Frenchman gave a tetchy news conference at Arsenal’s training ground, treating questions with a mixture of sarcasm and aggression and refusing to discuss the merits of a Bayern side who are strolling to the Bundesliga title.

LONDON COLNEY, England, Feb 18 (Reuters) – Arsene Wenger had more on his mind than a looming clash with Bayern Munich on Monday as the agitated Arsenal boss snapped over reports saying he had agreed a two-year contract extension.

The Frenchman gave a tetchy news conference at Arsenal’s training ground, treating questions with a mixture of sarcasm and aggression and refusing to discuss the merits of a Bayern side who are strolling to the Bundesliga title.

LONDON (Reuters) – Blackburn Rovers manager Michael Appleton could be the subject of a pub-quiz question in years to come after continuing his nomadic FA Cup adventure on Saturday.

Five weeks after taking over the ailing Championship (second tier) club, Appleton guided Rovers into the quarter-finals with a shock 1-0 victory at Arsenal.

LONDON, Feb 16 (Reuters) – Blackburn Rovers manager Michael Appleton could be the subject of a pub-quiz question in years to come after continuing his nomadic FA Cup adventure on Saturday.

Five weeks after taking over the ailing Championship (second tier) club, Appleton guided Rovers into the quarter-finals with a shock 1-0 victory at Arsenal.

LONDON (Reuters) – Arsene Wenger’s most trying season as Arsenal manager reached a new low on Saturday when his decision to field a changed line-up against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup fifth round backfired badly as his side lost 1-0.

The Frenchman, who spent the first nine years of his reign in north London stocking the club’s trophy cabinet, has now gone eight seasons without any silverware and storm clouds are gathering with Bayern Munich on the horizon on Tuesday.

LONDON, Feb 16 (Reuters) – Arsene Wenger’s most trying season as Arsenal manager reached a new low on Saturday when his decision to field a changed line-up against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup fifth round backfired badly as his side lost 1-0.

The Frenchman, who spent the first nine years of his reign in north London stocking the club’s trophy cabinet, has now gone eight seasons without any silverware and storm clouds are gathering with Bayern Munich on the horizon on Tuesday.

LONDON, Feb 16 (Reuters) – Arsenal were booed off the field after suffering a second humiliation in two months against lower league opponents when Blackburn Rovers beat them 1-0 in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Manager Arsene Wenger’s gamble to leave out a batch of first-team regulars against Championship (second tier) Rovers backfired as Colin Kazim-Richards struck a 72nd minute winner to send Rovers into the quarter-finals.

LONDON (Reuters) – Arsenal suffered a second humiliation in two months against lower league opponents when Blackburn Rovers beat them 1-0 in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Manager Arsene Wenger’s gamble to leave out a batch of first-team regulars against Championship (second tier) Rovers backfired as Colin Kazim-Richards struck a 72nd minute winner to send Rovers into the quarter-finals.

LONDON (Reuters) – The likes of Owen Farrell, Chris Ashton and Manu Tuilagi are the headline grabbers but just as vital to England’s renaissance under Stuart Lancaster has been the form of no-nonsense centre Brad Barritt.

While Farrell kicked all the points in the 12-6 victory over Ireland on Sunday, South Africa-born Barritt was instrumental in nullifying danger-man Brian O’Driscoll as the former world champions won in Dublin for the first time in 10 years.