Today's Papers / Top Dog / 24 January 2008 / Leave a comment " class="free-bet-btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">Free Bet

Betfair's top dog sniffs around the truth behind the latest tabloid tales

Cruft's champion - Top stories that can dominate the news agenda
Pedigree chum - Insights that tell you something you don't know
Dog's dinner - Speculation, guesswork, or ideas that just don't come off.

Top Dog says:

Chelsea beat Everton to join Spurs at Wembley for the season's first final, but the papers hunt more heavily into the Arsenal fall-out from being thrashed. Top Dog wondered yesterday if the Gunners were worth laying a top two finish at [1.49] after the debacle. More stories from behind the scenes today make it look an even better bet. Remember how the Gunners fell to bits after losing their unbeaten record at Old Trafford? And the row over the Pizza on Fergie's suit? Now it's Arsene Wenger who accidentally got sprayed with champagne by Jermain Defoe who thought he was bursting into the Sky interview room to soak Gus Poyet.

Cruft's:

Daily Star - You've got no class - The Daily Star's bean counters must have thought long and hard before deciding to send Bill Thornton to Riyadh for a 'meaningless' mid-season friendly and a sunshine break. They got their reward when Sir Alex Ferguson waded into Liverpool's behind the scenes chaos and accused Anfield's owners of lacking class. Fergie also nailed the real issue, the problems behind the scenes will make it tougher to sign top players.

The Sun/Daily Mail - Walcott can go on loan - More evidence of problems at The Emirates as Mark Irwin in the Sun and Neil Ashton in the Mail reveal Arsene Wenger will loan out Theo Walcott to help him develop in somebody else's first team. But he wants guarantees that whoever takes him will play him every match, and as a central striker rather than out wide. Who wants to give that promise for an 18-year-old with three goals in 20 games this season?

The Sun/Daily Mail - What sparked Arsenal row - Irwin and Ashton were clearly helping each other yesterday. They've both got the same interview (along with the Mirror's Neil McLeman) with Nicklas Bendtner's dad on what sparked the on-field dust-up between the Dane and Emmanuel Adebayor. Irwin's account is more graphic, though. He says the African told Bendtner: "I'm only on as sub because you are so s**t".

Pedigree Chum:

The Sun - I'd be Dim to quit now - Dimitar Berbatov's future finally looks to be settled at White Hart Lane, especially now Wembley beckons. The big Bulgarian who has been linked with Manchester United says he's settled at Spurs, although significantly won't yet commit his long term future to the club. Could that help Robbie Keane finish in the top four Premier League goalscorers? He's priced at [3.3] at the moment.

The Sun - Woody in Toon - At last a more realistic target for Kevin Keegan's first signing, Middlesbrough's Jonathan Woodgate. He's not played since the New Year because of a hamstring injury and Boro boss Gareth Southgate prefers Robert Huth and youngster David Wheater anyway.

Daily Mail - Tiago's nearly a Spur - More good news for Tottenham fans as the club reach an £8million deal with Juventus to sign former Chelsea midfielder Tiago. Spurs are also said to be closer to landing Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough. It's probably too late for a top six finish, but [9.8] will encourage White Hart Lane fans to have a punt if nobody else.

Daily Mirror - Keegan's gone for a Barton - Kevin Keegan is planning to bring back Joey Barton at Arsenal. He's been having daily helicopter flights from the Sporting Chance clinic to train at Newcastle. Now the plan is for him to play in the FA Cup and still fly back to beat a 7pm curfew. Not quite what the judge had in mind when giving him bail, Top Dog suspects. But another boost for the Toon who are [8.4] to win the tie.

Daily Express - Curbs will not suffer technical problems - Interesting insight from Harry Harris on West Ham's search for a sporting director. The post will be a 'technical director' who will report to Alan Curbishley, and be chosen by him, rather than the other way round.

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Express - Time to be strong - Frank Wiechula says it's time for Arsenal to stay strong and deal with defeat. He's got the same problem this morning after missing out on the interview with Nicklas Bendtner's dad that gave the real story behind the fight with Emmanuel Adebayor! The Daily Star's Danny Fullbrook also missed out

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Fergie blasts Yanks - A Cole-ing Cup final - What caused Arsenal feud - Walcott can go on loan - Grant looking a bit Special - Bendtner dad raps Ade - Top stars won't join Kop any more warns Fergie - Havant Cup spotlight

Daily Express - Cole spurs on Chelsea - Ferguson rails at Rafa rift - Adebayor apology for 'mistake' - Senegal triped up by Traoui - Berba grants stay after execution - Ferguson counts out Rafa's reds - England need a Pirate video

Daily Star - Hot Cole fires Blues to final - Barton to bust curfew - Bianchi is Lazio bound - Spurs can crash Big Four party says Dimitar Berbatov - Ade let off in bust-up - Gall: I'll pull us together - FA Cup spotlight on Mansfield

Daily Mirror - It's Joe Cool for Chelsea - Cech shows who's the daddy - Berbatov: Count me in - Bendtner dad wants Adebayor punished - Fergie blast at Anfield owners - Havant won't be chicken, Nando - Hoddle back with Saints

Daily Mail - King Cole - Arsenal's sore losers - Walcott can go on loan - Anelka leaves negative image in the past - Year of the Cup underdog - Lay off Rafa urges Fergie - Coleman in line to land Saints job - Lights go out on game fixed up to avoid Havant's player ban at Anfield