Matt Jarvis to feature on the cover of leading gay magazine Attitude

Matt Jarvis will appear on the cover of gay magazine Attitude in February, and has spoken out against homophobia in the game.



Jarvis is only the third footballer to ever be on the cover, after David Beckham and Freddie Ljungberg appeared in 2002 and 2006 respectively.



In an interview, Jarvis said "I'm sure there are many footballers who are gay, but when they decide to actually come out and say it, it is a different story. It's one that I'm sure they've thought about many times. But it's a hard thing for them to do."



This is definitely one of the last taboos left in football, and given how outraged and supportive everyone was with the Kevin Prince Boateng incident only yesterday, there is no longer room for any prejudice in football these days.



The attitude to homophobia in the game needs people like Jarvis to stand up against it, so fair play we say!

Ljungberg: Arsenal must spend to keep Robin van Persie

Freddie Ljungberg believes Robin van Persie will sign a new deal at Arsenal if the Gunners promise to invest in “two or three top players” this summer.



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The Arsenal captain has just 12 months left on his current Gunners deal, prompting reported interest from the likes of Juventus and Manchester City.



Van Persie saw Cesc Fàbregas and Samir Nasri both leave The Emirates last summer and the pair have gone on to win silverware in their first seasons at Barcelona and Manchester City.



And former Gunners midfielder Ljungberg wants Arsenal to splash the cash on a number of world class players this summer in a bid to convince Van Persie to stay in north London.



“I think there’s nothing to advise Robin, I think it’s more to advise Arsenal,” said Ljungberg, 35.



“When Robin came to Arsenal, we were a winning team, and we won trophies. I think that’s what he wants to do. Arsenal have to open their wallet a little bit, and buy two or three top, top players, that will decide whether Robin stays or not.



“As a fan, I hope that is what they are going to do because I want to see Arsenal lift trophies again.



“When you see Cesc Fàbregas and Samir Nasri leave, maybe your two leading players, it’s something you don’t want to see at a club like Arsenal.



“You want to know that the best players are staying for sure, if someone isn’t making the team then they might be leaving, but not your top players.



“I want Arsenal to get back to that way.”



Ljungberg scored 71 goals in 313 Arsenal appearances after being signed by Arsène Wenger from Halmstad in 1998.



And the former Sweden international defended Wenger’s lack of spending over recent seasons and called on the club’s owners to openly declare how much money the Gunners boss has to spend during the summer transfer window.



“I would like the owners to talk openly. I’m not sure Arsène Wenger gets the money that’s been talked about in the media,” he added.



“If he’s not able to get the money to buy the players then Arsène has done wonders! It’s amazing what he has done with a young squad.



“I don’t think it [lack of transfer activity] should fall on Arsène at all. We don’t know if the money is there, and if he doesn’t buy anyone, don’t criticise him, because he’s done wonders.”