playmaker's

Wilshere, 19, is the English Fábregas, or even Xavi, if he can acquire the Barça playmaker's majesty as he develops in an Arsenal side built on similar principles but lacking the order and ruthlessness of Pep Guardiola's team.

Jack Wilshere says Manchester United must get in faces of Barcelona | Paul Hayward 2011

Luka Modric Tottenham Hotspur v LiverpoolSuperb headers from Arsenal's Marouane Chamakh and Everton's Apostolos Vellios notwithstanding, the Croatia playmaker's vicious, curling seventh-minute purler deserves it for sheer Bobby Charltonesque oomph.51 League goals conceded from corners, free-kicks and penalties by Arsenal since the beginning of the 2009-10 season from a total of 100 goals scored against them in 81 games30 Most goals scored in a Premier League debut season – by Kevin Phillips in 2000.

Peter Reid sacked after auctioning FA Cup medal to help pay staff 2011

Messi scored a rare header 20 minutes from time before picking up a Xavi pass, the Spain playmaker's third assist of the night, and curling a shot from the edge of the area into the corner of the net.

Barcelona 4-0 Osasuna | Copa del Rey match report 2012

Mano explained his decision to omit Kaka from the squad by noting, with respect to the Real Madrid playmaker's recent performances, "Perhaps I didn't see something from him that I wanted to see."

Arnal Dayaratna: Mano Menezes Selects Ronaldinho, Neymar, Ganso and Hulk for Brazil Squad Against Bosnia Arnal Dayaratna 2012

The Swiss Super League runners-up Zurich were lively but rarely threatening and, though the Bayern forward Franck Ribéry was given the freedom of the pitch, Bayern will be concerned they did not take advantage of the many openings created by the France playmaker's trickery.

Mario Gómez eases Bayern Munich to the Champions League group stage 2011

The Uruguay defender Lugano headed home from a Javier Pastore cross three minutes into injury time after the Argentinian playmaker's opener had been cancelled out by Abou Maïga in the second half.

Late winner saves Carlo Ancelotti's blushes on Paris St-Germain debut 2012

After a week of reports that the club were preparing to insert a €70m £60m release clause into the playmaker's new contract, Pastore had struggled to make an impact against Milan – seeming to hurt his knee just 10 minutes in.

Milan return to the Serie A summit but Inter are struggling in their slipstream Paolo Bandini 2010

Rooney foraged and prompted in the playmaker's role until his substitution with 10 minutes to go, never quite rekindling the flame of his very best days but labouring diligently enough to ward off any suggestion that his mind might have been elsewhere.

Wayne Rooney: A new haircut and a restored sense of purpose Basle Richard Williams at St Jakob Park 2010

Manning has a playmaker's mentality, cornerback DeAngelo Hall said, and he makes things happen for the Giants (7-4), who are tied for the NFC East lead and host the Redskins (5-6) on Sunday at New Meadowlands Stadium.

Eli Manning's playmaker mentality Jason Reid 2010

But Magic still fulfilled the traditional playmaker's role.

A Rare Bird Bows Out 2008