Given that domestically, they are locked in a tight scrap for the final Champions League place, Arsenal may need to win the competition this season if they are to qualify for next term’s renewal. However, the Gunners have been handed a tough assignment at the first knockout stage, the draw pitching them against Serie A leaders AC Milan.

Ladbrokes can’t split the pair, making them both 10/11 to reach the last eight but BetVictor lean tentatively towards the Italian outfit, installing Arsene Wenger’s troop as even money underdogs and Arsenal are also outsiders, at 29/10 with Stan James, ahead of the first leg in the San Siro.

Blue Square rate Milan at 11/10 to record a home win but knowing that their opponents have suffered at the hands of English clubs in recent years, Wenger will be confident that his side can qualify if they remain in touch after the first meeting. An aw

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“Rennes’ home record is a disappointing W4-D5-L1 and Sochaux’s away record is W1-D5-L5. The fact Rennes have won fewer than half their home games and Sochaux have avoided defeat in more than half their away games indicates the hosts’ price should be nearer to evens.”

After three successful bets last weekend James Eastham picks out the smartest selections from France’s matchday 23.

Nice are Ligue 1′s poorest attacking side right now. They could have played for hours without scoring against Montpellier (0-1) a fortnight ago, and it was a similar story when they went out of the French Cup on penalties after two goalless hours against Rennes (21 Jan). Last

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There’s no question that Arsenal are struggling to put together a decent sequence of results at present. No doubt the Gunners’ lengthy injury list is at least partly to blame and they are badly missing the calming influence of Thomas Vermaelen at the back as well as the invention of Jack Wilshere in midfield. But does Arsene Wenger still have the firepower at his disposal to launch a concerted bid on the top four?

Henry will have fond memories – but times have changed

On the evidence of last Sunday’s defeat at Swansea, that is open to debate. Despi

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PAUL NICHOLLS’ long-serving head groom Clifford Baker and National Association of Stable Staff president George McGrath are among the nominees for the 2012 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, the shortlist for which was revealed on Wednesday. There are ten remaining finalists in each category of the awards and a glittering ceremony will be held at the Jumeriah Carlton Tower Hotel in London on February 27, where the winners will receive their prizes from two-time champion jockey Paul Hanagan.

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Arda Ocal (@arda_ocal) and Jimmy Korderas (@jimmykorderas) of #AftermathRadio on thescore.com spoke with former WWE Manager and current WWE employee “Downtown” Bruno Lauer (Harvey Whippleman). Highlights from the interview are as follows:

Talking about his association with WWE, what are his current duties with WWE today: “I work behind the scenes, take care of all the details, whatever needs to be done for the television production and PayPerViews, and I’m just happy do be doing it after 32 years in the business. Another way to look at it and how I describe it in my book would be ‘WWE concierge’.”

Does he feel the era of managers for WWE have past, or would he love to see the era of managers for WWE return in the future: “If it came back again, it would be brand new to alot of people. I wouldn’t want

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