Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/315336
27 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 21 MAY 2014 Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday WEATHER: Partly cloudy occasionally rather cloudy VISIBILITY: Generally good WIND: Easterly force 3 to 4 locally force 4 to 5 SEA: Moderate SWELL: Low East Southeast SEA TEMP: 18 °C A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 White to play and mate in four moves A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Last week's solution Sudoku rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 9x9 box. PARTLY CLOUDY 24 º C / 17 º C UV INDEX: 8 Today's Weather Chess Sudoku Pursuits Qxe6 Ke8 Qc6+ Rd7 h7 Be7 h8=Q+ Bf8 Qxf8# OPINION Across 1. Niggle (7) 4. Clairvoyant (7) 8. Shaped like a rectangle (11) 12. Chamber (4) 13. Be sorry for (4) 14. Tartan (5) 15. Safe (6) 17. Last letter of the Greek alphabet (5) 22. Lean (4) 23. Foot-wear (5) 24. Native of Thailand (4) 25. Stories (5) 28. Period of the year (6) 30. Rotates (5) 32. Highway (4) 34. Harden by heat (4) 35. Wheel for propelling a ship (6,5) 38. Assembly (7) 39. Engage in wrestling (7) Down 1. Approaches (5) 2. Composition in verse (4) 3. Small domesticated carnivore (3) 5. Former coin of France (3) 6. Fellow (4) 7. Hard-shelled pupa (9) 8. Part of verb to ride (4) 9. Wheel shaft (4) 10. Broad smile (4) 11. Religious practice (4) 14. Squeeze (5) 16. Slender boat (5) 18. Mathematics (5) 19. Private room on a ship (9) 20. Happiness (3) 21. Remains of a fire (5) 26. Jump (4) 27. Knitting stitch (4) 28. Frozen water vapour (4) 29. Gemstone (4) 31. Flat shelf (5) 33. Slender missile (4) 34. Wagers (4) 36. Lair (3) 37. Pronoun (3) BREAKING news last Sunday was a dust cloud covering north London as Arsenal opened their trophy cabinet for the first time in nine years, albeit after a struggle to find the missing keys for it. At long last Arsenal added to their silverware, coming from behind to beat Hull City 3-2 in a thrilling FA Cup final played at Wembley, and truth be told the look on Arsene Wenger's face was priceless. An emotionally drained but chuffed Wenger clinched his fists and thrust them airwards after Aaron Ramsey scored late in the second half of ex- tra time. All the players were under- standably chuffed, however without wishing to rain on their sunny parade, the trophy means nothing to Arsenal and only serves to hide the truth. Wenger in truth was relieved, re- lieved to have finally ended his self in- duced trophy drought and in that re- spect winning the FA Cup is priceless. Arsenal's FA Cup run included only six games as being a top half league club they join the competition from the third round. They faced local ri- vals Spurs and Liverpool on the way to glory, and had to overcome a sticky Wigan on penalties in the semi final. After winning the cup Jack Wilshere said that they have been fantastic all season, and in my eyes that masks Ar- senal's problems finely. Arsenal have not been fantastic all season, in fact they have been a mediocre side who just scraped it through to fourth place due to Everton's slip up at home to Crystal Palace. They had a decent cup run, but that was it. Fortunately for them that's all it takes and that high- lights the importance of the FA Cup for some teams. Arsenal want to use the success as a spring board to more success, how- ever with a busy summer expected at the Emirates we can expect a differ- ent Arsenal side next season. Despite some player movement, one constant will remain as Wenger himself said he will open contract negotiations fol- lowing the FA Cup triumph and even though there is a feel of a new era bea- coning at Arsenal I do believe we will see the same old Arsenal once again next season. Another dictatorship at United Louis van Gaal has finally been sworn in at Old Trafford as he looks to steady the sinking ship that is Manchester United. The Dutch tacti- cian, famed for his media stares and sarcastic responses to silly questions from reporters is known for his no nonsense style of approach, and in a changing Manchester United which all went pear shaped under David Moyes that is just the tonic for the club. Rumors of a controversial coup by the players – led by Rio Ferdinand are rife and though the centre back has since left Old Trafford himself the sense of a lack of control was there for everyone to see. In a rather smart move a short con- tract has been signed, with van Gaal only given three years to go about his business – half the time Moyes was given, with United learning from their own mistake of having to award £7 million compensation to the Scots- man following his sacking. The board of directors showed more intelligence in this move as they have also appointed Ryan Giggs to be as- sistant manager to Van Gaal, and if all goes accordingly we can predict the next move – come 2017 Ryan Giggs can follow his dream and be- come manager of Manchester United himself. This would mean the club is looking to grow holistically, keep- ing Sir Alex's philosophies in mind through his trusted winger. My theory is that even if van Gaal won't last the full three years, which seems a rarity in modern football, Giggs is well in with a shout of suc- ceeding him, no matter the output of his reign. Amazing Atletico, Brave Barca Their performances may have lacked their usual class this season, however Barcelona have played a blinder this week by appointing former player Luis Enrique as their new manager following Martino's dismissal which occurred a couple of hours after Atletico Madrid sensationally won the Liga last Sunday. Diego Simeone has done a brilliant job to win the league and ensure the glory days are back for Atletico Ma- drid, however no sooner than his sea- son ends, a new battle is around the corner as keeping his stars close will not be an easy task. Typically the vul- tures circulate and it is tough to say where Madrid will head from their league success, but one thing is for sure, their next final will help in de- ciding their fate. Mark Strijbosch FA Cup masks Arsenal's problems Arsène Wenger, right, lifts the FA Cup after his side's win over Hull City at Wembley