Wigan’s eight-season stay in the Premier League came to end on Monday night as a second half gifted Arsenal victory as they climbed back into the top-four.

Just 72 hours after beating Manchester City at Wembley to win the FA Cup the Latics are facing up to the sobering reality of life in the Championship next season after defeat at the Emirates Stadium sealed their fate.

At the opposite end of the table Arsene Wenger’s side leapfrogged north London rivals Tottenham back into fourth ahead of the final round of fixtures and are now in pole position to qualify for the Champions League.

A breathtaking start from the Gunners forged the opening goal in the 11th minute as Lukas Podolski profited from negligent Wigan marking to head in Santi Cazorla’s corner. The visitors were looking susceptible at the back and were almost undone again from a corner but were spared by Laurent Koscielny, who stabbed wide.

With the half time whistle imminent Wigan picked the appropriate moment to draw level. Shaun Maloney went down under minimal contact from Mikel Arteta and left Arsenal incensed by curling a sublime free kick past the despairing glove of Wojciech Szczesny’s from 20-yards.

Wigan carried that momentum into the second period and were only prevented from taking the lead when Szczesny got down to thwart Arouna Kone from close range after Arsenal were sliced open by a near one-two with James McCarthy. It proved a crucial save as Theo Walcott put the hosts back in front just after the hour, converting Cazorla’s cross from inside the six-yard box.

And there was no coming back for Roberto Martinez’s side five minutes later. Paul Scharner played Podolski onside as he raced on to Cazorla’s headed and the German international showed great poise to lift the ball beyond Joel Robles. Aaron Ramsey applied the gloss with 19 minutes remaining as he charged into the penalty area from the left and fizzed the ball past Joel to consign Wigan to the second tier of English football.

Arsene Wenger post-match…”First of all I’m happy we won the game, after 20 minutes we became too conservative and let Wigan back into the game. We had problems keeping the ball. But when they got tired after the Cup final, we got a good win as it was becoming difficult for them.”

Roberto Martinez post-match…”I never expected this. I know we were in a difficult position, but the players are an incredible bunch and they don’t deserve this. It’s a tough day for the football club. We had an incredible eight years in the Premier League and we need to build for the future.

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Man of the Match…Lukas Podolski: Got Arsenal up and running with the first goal after 11 minutes and bagged the crucial third mid-way through the second half to

Flop of the Match…Paul Scharner:

The problems are clear as day, and I’m a little uncomfortable with the notion that the tides are shifting against Barcelona and that all the power in European football is now centralised to Germany. Skimming over Real Madrid will leave them furious at this stage, I’m sure. But Madrid never had a grasp over all of Europe at any point in the last decade. To entertain the idea that Barcelona are a spent force would be to completely ignore how good they are as a team and how strong their foundation is.

This summer we may very well see the makings of a new Barcelona side, yet primarily in faces rather than style.

It said as much with reports of Barcelona’s hunt for a new goalkeeper. There’s a reason why Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Vicente Guaita and Pepe Reina, among others, are being linked as the replacement for Victor Valdes. The team still need a goalkeeper good enough to play the ball out from defence rather than going long and surrendering possession; there will be no drastic change in the way Barcelona play the game.

But it’s also incredibly easy to ignore the problems that have existed at Barcelona this season, problems that have hindered their progress and effectiveness in European competition. It’s problems that came to the surface and really made their capture of the La Liga title around December all the more valuable.

Barcelona have had to deal with the illness to Tito Vilanova and Eric Abidal. Carles Puyol’s age has finally caught up with him and no one is there to guide Gerard Pique at centre-back. Not to suggest Pique is a shadow of the player he is alongside Puyol, but the Barcelona captain ensures 100 per cent commitment and focus for the entire game.

Adding to that, Javier Mascherano has been out with injury for quite some time and Alex Song has not done what he was brought in to do, that being to add another body more than capable at centre-back. Barcelona are paying for their frugality in the market, with both Vilanova and Jordi Roura being forced to draft in full-back Adriano into the centre-back position.

To compound those problems, the forwards have simply not been doing the business in front of goal. Lionel Messi scored his 45th and 46th league goal of the season against Real Betis on the weekend. The next top scorer is Cesc Fabregas with 10. This team are currently in desperate need of something else in attack. David Villa is out of sorts and Pedro’s two years in the sun seem so distant that it’s as if they were from another era. For Barcelona, it’s not about creating a Plan B, but rather about having the right personnel to perfectly execute Plan A.

Barcelona’s fall from Bayern Munich’s lofty grasp in the Champions League was made all the more sensational because it was Barcelona. It was a team who had dominated with the most intricate of styles now suddenly being unravelled by a stronger, fitter and better prepared Bayern side. Not even a team led by the best midfielder in the world, the greatest Spanish international and the greatest footballer of all time could overcome the relentless onslaught of the Bundesliga champions.

But is Europe really too small for two superpowers – and I don’t just mean two football teams?

Barcelona know what’s needed of them. To battle against Bayern Munich and all that may come alongside Guardiola, the Catalans will need to match the Bavarians’ ambition in the market. Instead of planning against Javi Martinez and what he may do to prevent you from winning, go out and get him and seriously address the flaws in team.

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The upcoming Confederations Cup won’t help either. Barcelona’s Spanish stars have been called away on international duty each summer for what seems like an age and are desperately in need of a rest. But essentially, Barcelona need their manager around throughout the entire campaign. It told how much the players missed Vilanova when the inexperienced Jordi Roura took over at the turn of the year. They lacked decisiveness and seemed to lose their personality on the pitch; another hack to the ridiculous idea that anyone can manage Barcelona.

I’m not convinced we’ll see a seismic shift in the Barcelona approach or their status in world football. It’s not the end of an era, and that can only be a good thing. There will be tweaks and additions, but this style of play that conquered the world under Pep Guardiola is far too ingrained in the makeup of this team for it to change after one disappointing season.

Arsenal have told Julio Cesar that he will have to take a significant pay-cut if he is to complete a summer move to the Emirates Stadium from QPR, according to reports from The Metro.

The Brazilian stopper has been heavily linked with a switch across London of late, with the Gunners said to be keen on drafting in a new goalkeeper.

Cesar was one of the Super Hoops’ standout performers in a disappointing relegation season, which has seen his stock rise.

But, the 33-year-old is on a vast contract at Loftus Road that was dished out by the club to lure him away from Inter Milan.

Arsenal see the South American as the deal man to add some solidity to the rearguard, yet they are unwilling to match his current £45,000-per-week salary, which includes significant bonus payments.

Arsene Wenger values him at closer to the £30,000-per-week mark, and is hopeful that Cesar’s desire to play at the highest level ahead of the 2014 World Cup may be enough to see him drop his demands.

The north London club have received a major boost in the race for the samba star, after rivals Napoli swooped to secure a season-long loan deal for Liverpool’s Pepe Reina.

Should Arsene Wenger spend big for Julio Cesar?

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West Ham have loaned out 25-year-old striker Mobido Maiga, reports the Daily Mail.

The Malian forward will spend the season on loan at St Etienne, as manager Sam Allardyce looks for Maiga to gain valuable first team experience.

Maiga scored a hat-trick for the Hammers in a pre-season friendly against Eintracht Braunschweig this summer, but has been loaned out after Allardyce looked to rebuild his attacking options, with the inclusion of Andy Carroll now on a permanent deal.

The English manager might not be done there, as he is looking at Besiktas striker Hugo Almeida. The 29-year-old is the subject of a £3million bid, with Besiktas director of football Onder Ozen admitting they are open to offloading the forward:

“We need to restructure our wages and negotiate a more reasonable contract deal with him. We will consider offers for Almeida, especially if we can’t reach an agreement regarding his wages.”

Allardyce’s interest in forwards elsewhere has lead to Maiga being sent out on loan to Ligue 1 side St Etienne, who had held talks with striker Carlton Cole earlier in the transfer window. Cole was released by West Ham this summer.

The Hammers kick off their new campaign against Cardiff City on Saturday.

Did West Ham fans want to see Maiga play this year? What are your expectations ahead of the new season?

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Barcelona midfielder Alex Song says that he is not currently considering a return to the Premier League.

The Cameroonian international only swapped England for Spain last summer, but is already be linked with a move back to Arsenal or Manchester United due to a lack of first-team action.

The 26-year-old has found holding a starting berth down difficult at the Nou Camp, with the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas all battling for a spot in the centre of the pitch.

This has led to rumours that Song is considering his future, with a January switch a possibility.

However, despite interest from former club Arsenal and United, the enforcer says that he is not thinking about a move.

“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. I spent seven fantastic seasons there, but honestly, I’m not asking myself that question for the moment,” he told Radio RMC.

“We’ll take whatever comes. For the moment, I’m fully committed to Barca.”

Song carved out a reputation as a combative yet creative midfielder with the Gunners, which led to Barca moving to snap him up.

Arsenal are believed to be keen to have him back, while David Moyes is though to see him as the ideal solution to his current woes.

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Should Alex Song come back to England?

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Swansea and Michael Laudrup have parted company, with the club just two points above the relegation zone.

The Swans have been on an underwhelming run of form of late which has seen them slide from midtable safety to a precarious position above the bottom three.

An official statement from chairman Huw Jenkins on the club’s website read:

“It is a decision we have taken reluctantly,

“But it’s a decision made in the best interests of Swansea City Football Club and our supporters.

“It is the first time in nearly 10 years that the club has parted with a manager in this way, but we had to remove the constant uncertainty surrounding the club and Michael’s long-term future with us.

“I had a meeting with Michael today in a final attempt to support him and establish a way to improve the work of the backroom team to secure the results we need over the final 14 Premier League games.

“However, after thinking long and hard about the best way forward, I felt it was unlikely we would achieve a stable environment at the club to allow us to get back to basics and produce the performance levels that have served Swansea City so well over the last few years.

“Now we need to put that uncertainty behind us and move forward as a united football club on all fronts, while placing on record our gratitude to Michael for the work he has done over the last 18 months and wish him well for the future.’’

Garry Monk will take over as the club’s head coach on an interim basis as the search for a new manager begins.

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Despite some poor results the decision has come as a shock with Laudrup having guided the club to Capital One Cup glory last season, booking a spot in the Europa League in the process.

However Jenkins has asked fans of the South Wales outfit to get behind the decision and to support Monk while he is in the role:

“I hope all our supporters can fully understand how difficult this period has been for us and I would urge everyone connected to the football club to get behind Garry Monk, the staff and players.”

It’s hard to believe that a little under ten years ago Manchester City were somewhat a yo-yo side, with the Citizens dipping in and out of the Premier League and truly existing in the shadow of their great rivals, United.

But as the 2014 Capital One Cup Final approaches, they have the chance to win their third piece of major silverware in just four years, a record that would’ve seemed a little far-fetched at the turn of the Millennium.

What a journey it has been. There have been highs and lows throughout City’s rise to become a genuine European force, with botched takeovers, failed signings and last minute league-winning goals making every day at the Etihad Stadium noteworthy.

To an extent the birth of the City we now have occurred in 2007, as former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra took over the club in a big money deal. The Asian billionaire had grand plans, and after installing Sven-Goran Eriksson as manager and ploughing £45m into the first-team squad, all looked rosy. However the financial power could not address the issues the team had, and midtable finish was all their Swedish boss could muster.

This was greeted with yet more spending and another new manager in the shape of Mark Hughes, who had been impressing with Blackburn. ‘Sparky’ was give free rein of the club’s chequebook, and although he snapped up Vincent Kompany for £5m – which has proven to be one of the very best bits of transfer business in recent English football history – the majority of the arrivals at the club were slightly underwhelming in the summer of 2008. Shaun Wright-Phillips – a former club idol – and Tal Ben Haim were other notable signings, but neither truly set the world alight.

Despite this, there was a real sense of optimism as the season got underway, with Hughes having the experience and the know-how to make City genuine contenders for European qualification. But then came turmoil. Shinawatra’s fortune had been seized and all was not well with the owner. Failed attempts to secure added funding and the fact that his own bankrolling of City had become impossible led to calls for his head, and frustration from the fans.

The Citizens’ supporters had seen many false dawns through the years, and were forgiven for fearing for the worse when Shinawatra’s woes were revealed. So it was almost met with joy from supporters of other clubs when they were saved from the brink by the Abu Dhabi United Group.

At the time the extent of their wealth was unclear, with some predicting that they were merely another set of flash in the pan owners. But their intentions were made clear with attempted deals for the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, David Villa and Mario Gomez. Although this trio escaped the club’s grasp, they did break the then British transfer fee record to sign Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5m – even though he was on the verge of joining Chelsea.

This was followed by news that the principal owner of Sheikh Mansour’s personal fortune was estimated to be around £17billion, and that his family’s true wealth went north of $1trillion. It was now clear that City meant business.

There was no dirge of silverware however, but as the club dismissed Hughes and brought in Roberto Mancini, while paying big money for top players, the wheels were in motion for, arguably, the most exciting moment in Premier League history during 2012.

After winning the FA Cup the previous year, the focus switched to Premier League dominance, and after leading for much of the season a late wobble had handed local rivals United the advantage. If you missed what happened against QPR on the final day of the campaign you must have been living under a rock for the past few years, but we’ll just refresh your memory. Sergio Aguero. The Argentine netted deep into injury time to make it 3-2 and steal the title on goal difference, from an already celebrating United side.

The bubble burst to an extent as Mancini was given his marching orders at the end of last season after they surrendered their league crown to Fergie’s side and slipped out of Europe, but now under Manuel Pellegrini they have the chance to complete the domestic hat-trick by securing the Capital One Cup.

Undoubtedly City are favourites for the Wembley clash against Sunderland, and could well be ascending the iconic steps to lift the trophy after those all-important 90 minutes. It’s been some journey, but there is the underlying sense that this chapter in City’s history is just beginning.

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QPR chairman Tony Fernandes says that his side’s next Premier League campaign will be a more enjoyable and sensible one than their last.

The Super Hoops booked an immediate return to the stop tier on Saturday as they won the Championship play-off final at Wembley against Derby thanks to a late Bobby Zamora effort.

Harry Redknapp’s men were widely tipped to bounce back to the big time at the first time of asking, despite a disastrous 2012/13 campaign, which saw them finish rock-bottom of the division.

The club are also paying the price financially for the excesses of their foray into the Premier League, with their wage bill reportedly higher than that of La Liga champions and Champions League runners-up Atletico Madrid.

Fernandes says that this time around things will be different thanks to the harsh lessons his club have learned:

“Hopefully we’ll have some fun next year in the Premier League,” he told talkSPORT.

“It was great to see the kind of spirit we’ve cultivated in the club at Wembley, to see that passion from the team and the fans, it’s something I’ve always dreamed about.

“We learned so much last time [in the Premier League], you’re always learning really because even the big clubs make horrendous mistakes.

“We’re a lot smarter now and it’s been good for us down in the Championship, we’ve taken stock and been able to get the culture of the club right.

“We’re going to careful in the transfer market this time, we’re not going to rush into things. We’ve learned a lot [financially].

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“We want to build the right culture at the club and bring in the right type of player and we want guys who are going to run and run and run.

“Derby showed that in the final, they had loads of young guys running around non-stop and causing a lot of problems for us. But experience also counts, you need to find a balance of both.”

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A year on from reportedly being on the brink of a transfer out of Serie A, there’s now no longer any doubt about Miralem Pjanic’s importance to Roma.

Back then, Pjanic was being forced out for comments he made following Roma’s Coppa Italia final loss to city rivals Lazio. He, rather than Erik Lamela, looked destined for the exit at the Olimpico.

But Pjanic may not have ended up at Roma had it not been for the intervention of his father back in 2011. At Lyon at the time, Pjanic was said to be on Arsenal’s wanted list to replace the recently departed Cesc Fabregas, with a deal said to have been close on deadline day.

Still only 21 at the time and having only experienced top flight football in Ligue 1, the excitement would have been well short of what Mesut Ozil’s signing generated last summer in north London. Back in 2011, Pjanic was an extremely promising talent, though one that had some way to go to reach the level he’s at now.

And what a climb it has been for the Bosnia and Herzegovina international. Rudi Garcia made himself known in Italian football almost immediately after signing on as manager. He urged the club to go after Gervinho, in spite of the Ivorian’s struggles during his two seasons at Arsenal, and campaigned to retain Pjanic and build the team around the former Lyon midfielder at the expense of the then far more popular and effective Lamela.

WANT MORE? >> Arsenal transfer news | Latest transfer news

Pjanic was at the hub of Roma’s ascent up the Serie A table, displaying his credentials as one of the team’s leaders in the absence of Francesco Totti with his two goals – one from a free kick and the other from the penalty spot – against Napoli on the way to recording 10 straight league wins. There were other memorable goals for the 24-year-old during last season’s campaign, but none more emphatic than his waltz through the Milan defence to help Roma to a 2-0 win.

Perhaps known more as an advanced midfielder, Pjanic has shown his comfort in dropping deep into the centre of midfield and helping to dictate the play. In 2011, Arsenal’s only obvious options in replacing Fabregas were in the signing of Mikel Arteta who, despite being able to create, falls well short of offering what his compatriot did, and Aaron Ramsey, who was still in the early stages of recovery from that injury suffered at Stoke.

Pjanic, however, would have offered something different. He didn’t have the complications that had plagued Ramsey’s career up until that point and would have been considered a bargain for what he is now worth, moving on from Lyon for only €11million. Importantly, he would have added some craft and guile to an Arsenal attack that, without Robin van Persie, was severely lacking.

Roma’s recent business has been extremely positive. They saw two major sales in Marquinhos and Lamela last summer, but spent wisely for replacements and additions. Even their business this summer – which includes Juan Iturbe bolstering the attack and Ashley Cole and Seydou Keita adding experience for the upcoming Champions League campaign – has been astute.

WANT MORE? >> Arsenal transfer news | Latest transfer news

But looking back, none may have been more important than what came with Pjanic’s signing in 2011, just as important on the field for Roma’s revival as Garcia has been on the touchline. An understated player without the backing of a monster transfer fee or a stylish national team, but with the performances that can justify the tag of  world-class midfielder.

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What would it have meant for Arsenal, however? Santi Cazorla did arrive a year later to somewhat fill the creative role left by Fabregas, and Ozil joined 12 months on from that. Would Pjanic have blocked one or both of those arrivals? Possibly, but it’s conjecture for now.

What is clear now – and especially after Pjanic reminded us of his talents with a goal against Manchester United on the weekend from inside his own half – is that the Bosnian would have represented the most obvious replacement and eventual lift from the disappointment of having lost Fabregas to Barcelona.

Roma know exactly what they have in the 24-year-old, who will be key in their efforts to build on last season. The idea of selling Pjanic, a year on from almost being forced out, is not worth thinking about.

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Liverpool escaped an embarrassing return to Champions League football with a last gasp 2-1 victory over Ludogorets at Anfield.

The Bulgarian minnows frustrated the five-times European Champions and looked set for a famous draw before summer signing Mario Balotelli popped up in the 82nd minute for his first Liverpool goal.

Ludogorets then silenced the Anfield crowd with a 91st minute equaliser when Dani Abalo rounded Reds stopper Simon Mignolet and slotted home in front of the euphoric travelling Bulagarian fans.

But Liverpool raced down the other end and earned themselves a penalty when goalkeeper Milan Borjan clipped Javier Manquillio in his own area, and Reds captain Steven Gerrard calmly slotted home from the spot to save Brendan Rodgers’ side’s blushes.

It was similar performance from Liverpool that saw them fall to a 1-0 home defeat to Aston Villa last weekend, which has further strengthened the claims that Liverpool may not be able to replicate their title challenge from last season, as well enjoy a successful run in the Champions League.

So here’s three things we learned from Liverpool’s latest frustrating performance at Anfield…

They really do miss Daniel Sturridge

The fact Liverpool have lost a Premier League game at home to Villa and then struggled to beat minnows Ludogorets in the Champions League since Daniel Sturridge was injured whilst on England duty suggests Rodgers is struggling to work without him.

He may have Mario Balotelli at his disposal to score the goals in Sturridge’s absence, but even then there’s no real evidence that the Italian can make the exact same impact as the England striker.

There’s also a shift in the way Liverpool line-up when Sturridge is unavailable, and that clearly has a detrimental effect to Liverpool’s hopes of another successful campaign.

Balotelli’s first Liverpool should give him the confidence to go on get more, though, but only time will tell…

Adam Lallana has been rushed into action too quickly

Lallana’s performances for Southampton over the last few years have no doubt warranted his call up in to the England set-up, but a knee injury during the summer has halted his chances of replicated such efforts for his new club.

Lallana finally made his debut in the loss to Aston Villa last weekend but after his performance against Ludogorets it’s clear to see he is no where near the fitness or pace needed to make the required impact just yet.

Luckily the Liverpool fans realise that and are refusing to get on his back just yet…

Coutinho looks a shadow of his former self

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Last year, Coutinho was one of Liverpool’s top performers as they went so close to winning their first ever Premier League title. But so far this season the 22-year-old Brazilian has been well off the pace.

He doesn’t appear to be the confident, free-flowing and exciting midfielder Liverpool had the pleasure of enjoying last season. Instead he has been sloppy, reckless and less effective in the middle of the park for Rodgers’ side.

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