As he sits stiffly upright and with some apprehension on the back of Speciali, one of his gentlest retired racehorses, Michael Owen wonders what on earth he has let himself in for.

The All Whites would take any result against Mexico in their World Cup playoff next month, but more than 30 years ago, at a ground that holds 100,000 fewer than the famous Azteca Stadium.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says the club will not abandon their principles despite beginning to make their presence felt in the transfer market.