One saving grace for Arsenal in their defeat by Manchester United last week was that their former striker Robin van Persie had a bad game.

That's not my words but those of United boss Louis van Gaal, who took off the forward after 75 minutes against the Gunners.

United play Hull today and in the build-up boss Van Gaal said: "You can count his touches on the ball and 13 is few for a striker.

"It was a very bad game for him. That is why I changed him."

As is now usual on a Saturday morning we are working with The Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live and today we'd like you to send in your stories, external about spotting world famous players in mundane surroundings.

And if you've got any photographic evidence, we'd love to see it.

AJPS:, external Gianfranco Zola regularly spotted at an Italian restaurant in St Albans on Monday lunchtimes during his Watford days.

Image source, Getty Images

Stuart McArthur:, external Met Colin Hendry at a DIY store in Blackburn. He went in through the out door. #rebel.

Elliot Goldenburg:, external I sold Jimmy Greaves a set of golf clubs at a shop in Southend. He paid by cheque and I wanted to keep it for the autograph!

You can join the conversation using #bbcfootball on Twitter,, external send us a text on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the Match of the Day Facebook, external or BBC Sport Google+ page., external

Image source, Independent

QPR will have Rio Ferdinand available again after a three-game ban for today's home game against Leicester.

The 36-year-old centre-back was suspended and fined £25,000 by the Football Association for comments he made on Twitter.

He has been having his say in The Independent, external and says: "They have many, many bigger issues going on that needed a lot more attention than my ban.

"I have got used to being made an example over the years when it comes to the FA."

As is now usual on a Saturday morning, we are working with The Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live and asking you to send in your stories about spotting world famous players in mundane surroundings.

After some more obscure sightings earlier (see 09:57), now you're starting to impress.

Phil, St Albans: Saw Dennis Bergkamp coming out of Sainsbury's. Wasn't sure if it was him so followed him across the car park to see what car he got into. Top of the range Merc.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Hammond, Edmonton: Eric Cantona, Shoreditch High Street, one month ago, walking with his partner/girlfriend with an air of: 'I don't have to get back to work really.'

Lee, Manchester: I once walked by Carlos Tevez in the Trafford Centre. At first I knew the face but couldn't put the name to it until we were shoulder to shoulder, at which point I looked at him just blurted out "You're Carlos Tevez!" The look on his face told me he already knew that though.

You can join the conversation using #bbcfootball on Twitter,, external send us a text on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external

Please remember to add your name and location to any text message you send.

Image source, Daily Express

Micah Richards has told the Daily Express that home-grown youngsters may never get the chance to play for Manchester City, external because of the intense pressure to get results.

The defender is on loan from City at Italian side Fiorentina. His comments come ahead of the opening of City's new multi-million pound academy next month as part of a long-term plan to produce their own players rather than buy ready-made talent.

West Brom striker Victor Anichebe is also ready to face Arsenal,, external after paying for his own fitness treatment following a hernia operation. During the last international break, the forward took himself off to a Californian training camp to regain his fitness.

Image source, EPA

David Moyes is trying to put his Manchester United nightmare behind him by rebuilding his reputation at Spanish side Real Sociedad and got a win on the board at the second attempt.

His side comfortably beat Elche on Friday night thanks to a hat-trick from ex-Arsenal striker Carlos Vela.

"I'm smiling because we've won and I'm very happy but I want more," said Moyes. "I thought there were some small signs of a little bit of improvement, which was good.

"We had a special player and a special talent in Carlos Vela, who scored goals which made a big difference."

As is now usual on a Saturday morning, we are working with The Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live and asking you to send in your stories about spotting world famous players in mundane surroundings.

Although you'd struggle to say any of the player mentioned below were world famous.

Ben Jackson Taylor:, external I met Clayton Blackmore outside a kennels way back in his Middlesbrough days.

Image source, Getty Images

Stuart Ingram:, external Met Ray Parlour at a burger stall near the M25 in the early hours! Was with an Arsenal fan who got his autograph on a napkin!

Craig Stephens:, external I once saw Alf-Inge Haaland shopping in a music store at York Designer Outlet.

You can join the conversation using #bbcfootball on Twitter,, external send us a text on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external

In his column for the Daily Mail,, external former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says, despite a dip in form this campaign, Steven Gerrard would still be one of the first names on the team-sheet if Liverpool were to play in a major cup final.

"Some critics believe he should be out of the picture. Others couldn't be without him. Where do I stand? Well, put it this way, if Liverpool were playing in a major final now, Steven would be one of the first names I'd put down on the teamsheet. My reasons would have nothing do with sentiment."

The Liverpool captain celebrates 16 years with the Anfield club against Stoke City this afternoon.

Image source, Daily Mail

Right, that's enough of West Brom v Arsenal chat for the time being. Let's switch our attentions to some of the stories doing the rounds as well as in today's papers.

Firstly, speaking in the Daily Mail, Manchester United forward Angel Di Maria has revealed that he has no interest in watching this season's Champions League, external on TV with the club not involved in the competition.

The Argentine prefers to spend time with his daughter instead. "No, I don't watch the (European) matches," he smiled. "I play with my daughter instead. It's more important."

As is now usual on a Saturday morning, we are working with The Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live and asking you to send in your stories about spotting world famous players in mundane surroundings.

Ben, Nantwich: Saw Robbie Savage in a sports shop once buying seven pairs of white trainers, he made a little kid carry them for him!

Jonny Kelly, Durham: As a Manchester United fan, seeing and playing with former reserve team player of the year, Ollie Gill, week in week out at University was always strange!

You can join the conversation using #bbcfootball on Twitter,, external send us a text on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external

Please remember to add your name and location to any text message you send.

Like Arsenal, West Brom have also lost their last two league games but a win for Alan Irvine's side will move them to within a point of the Gunners.

The Baggies, though, are struggling for goals as they haven't scored a league goal in 223 minutes since they benefitted from an own goal against Leicester. In terms of a West Brom player scoring, it's been 270 minutes since one found the net.

Baggies striker Saido Berahino will be hoping to change that and he is available despite the revelation of his arrest for alleged drink-driving.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal did qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League for the 15th consecutive season with a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in midweek.

But, while that will keep the moneymen happy, for some Arsenal fans it's just like Groundhog Day.

Arsenal will get to the knockout stages of Europe's top compo but go out to a big team and they then do enough to finish in the top four to get back into the Champions League.

But, there is no realistic league title assault and supporters constantly remind Arsene Wenger he needs some steel in the squad to combat the counter-attack problems that have plagued the squad.

BBC Radio 5 live

Football + entertainment = The Danny Baker Show. Tune your ears into BBC Radio 5 live for this pleasurable equation as you demolish your pre-match breakfast or, if you really are a hardcore supporter, already making a long journey to the game.

Danny loves a leftfield conversational topic to kick off the weekend and today is no different. So, after German giants Borussia Dortmund decided to train in London's Regent's Park, he's talking 'World Famous Players Spotted In Mundane Surroundings'.

Have you spotted Jurgen Klopp in a clothes shop? Or seen Roy Keane at a service station on the M6 Northbound? Tell Danny, and us, by using #bbcfootball on Twitter or via text on 81111 if your hilarious story needs telling in more than 140 characters.

You can also listen to The Danny Baker Show by hitting the live coverage tab at the top of the page.

Image source, Getty Images

Love him or hate him, Piers Morgan is a passionate Gooner and let fly about Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on BBC Radio's 606 phone-in show in the aftermath of the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United last week.

"At what point do Arsenal fans wake up, smell the capuccino and say 'enough'?" asked Morgan adding that the club are enduring a 'record of unrelenting failure'.

He wants Wenger out. "It's a heartbreaking divorce but divorce it has to be," says Morgan.

Hello and welcome to another Premier League production when Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger takes his side to The Hawthorns for the early kick-off to face Alan Irvine's West Brom.

The Gunners have lost their last two top-flight games and the heat is building again on Wenger after the club's worst start to a league season in 32 years. Yep, that's 32 years.

We'll be getting the thoughts of plenty of people about Arsenal in the build-up to the game as well as plenty of chat about the other games to tickle your football tastebuds.

Just over six months ago, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was the toast of the Gunners as he ended a nine-year trophy drought by winning the 2014 FA Cup...

Image source, EPA

There was the hope of a promising title-challenging season when he was back up those famous Wembley steps to lift the Community Shield after a win over Manchester City...

Image source, Getty Images

But now, after a poor run of league form, his critics are back with plenty of head scratching going on from Wenger.

Image source, PA