Arsenal have secured their first Premier League win of 2012, and they've done it in style.

Robin van Persie got a hat-trick in their 7-1 victory over Blackburn.

Wolves won 2-1 at QPR in the big clash of strugglers, while bottom side Wigan drew 1-1 with Everton, and Bolton lost 2-0 at Norwich.

Sunderland continued their fine form in winning 1-0 at a snow-covered Stoke, while Swansea won 2-1 at West Brom.
 

In the early kickoff at the Emirates...Arsenal crushed 10-man Blackburn by 7 goals to 1...

A Robin Van Persie hattrick, a brace from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and strikes from Mikael Arteta and Thierry Henry put Arsenal back on track after a run of poor form...

In Scotland meanwhile, Celtic's push for a domestic treble is still on course..

Neil Lennons side enjoyed a 2-nil win away to Inverness in the fifth round Scottish Cup...

Georgios Samaras and Scott Brown on the mark for Hoops...

The opening round of the Clare cup takes place this weekend with 8 ties down for decision.

Holders Avenue United begin their defense against Tulla United while premier league leaders Newmarket take on Shannon Olympic.

League action also continues with two matches in the premier as Hermitage play Lifford and Mountshannon Celtic on Burren.

Soccer

John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy for the second time in his career.

The FA informed the Chelsea defender of the decision this morning.

It comes after Wednesdays announcement that Terry's trial for racially abusing the QPR defender Anton Ferdinand had been scheduled for the 9th of July - it's just over a week after the end of Euro 2012.

Terry has denied the claims against him.

He was also stripped of the England captaincy back in 2010 due to intense speculation about his private life.
 

Speculation is growing that John Terry will be stripped of the England captaincy.

Several of this mornings papers claim there have been discussions between members of FA board over the last 24 hours.

It's after the courts decided Terry's trial won't be held until after Euro 2012 - he denies racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand.

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Arsenal missed out on the chance to move up to 5th place in the Premier League last night after they drew 0-0 away to Bolton.

It means they're five points behind fourth placed Chelsea in the race for the final Champions League place.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits they need to pick up their first top flight win of 2012:

Newcastle are up to 5th after a 2-0 win away to Blackburn.

A Scott Dann own-goal gave the Magpies the lead and Gabriel Obertan sealed the win late on.

Manchester United are now only behind Premier League leaders Manchester City on goal difference after last nights results.

City lost their 3 point lead at the top after going down 1-0 away to Everton.

United beat Stoke 2-0 at Old Trafford thanks to a penalty in each half from Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov.

City are six goals better off than United.

Elsewhere last night Tottenham won 3-1 at home to Wigan to get themselves back in the title race.

Chelsea rescued a point late on away Swansea thanks to an own goal from Neil Taylor.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews will be play his football in the top flight again after moving from Blackburn to West Brom.

Elsewhere, Everton captured Nikica Jelavic  from Rangers for 5.5 million pounds.

They also brought Steven Pienaar back to Goodison Park from Tottenham.

- That deal allowed Tottenham to sign Louis Saha from Everton on a short-term deal, while Roman Pavlyuchenko was allowed to leave White Hart Lane to return to Russia

It's transfer deadline day with the window closing at 11.00 tonight

There could be a couple of Republic of Ireland Internationals with new clubs at the close of business.

Irish midfielder Keith Andrews handed in a transfer request at Blackburn yesterday.

Meanwhile Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has denied claims that he'd be willing to sell Kevin Doyle to Everton.
 

On the pitch tonight, the top 4 are all in Premier League action.

Leaders Manchester City are away to Everton.

Second place Manchester United host Stoke

Tottenham welcome Wigan to White Hart Lane

Chelsea are away to Swansea and Wolves host Liverpool.

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