The tabloids and the broadsheets are in opposing camps when it comes to deciding which of the two national sports is most newsworthy on Friday All the latter lead with Sussex capturing their first Championship while football is the name of the game for their more compact cousins.
No one story dominates although Arsenal's humbling at the hands of Inter Milan on Tuesday still features prominently.
Gunners' captain Patrick Vieira has warned his team that they must improve, according to the Daily Express, while former goalkeeper Bob Wilson tells the Daily Mail that the club is in "a very dangerous situation".
Arsenal's misery could be compounded when they face arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday, with Old Trafford striker Ruud van Nistelrooy proclaiming: "We couldn't be more confident going into Sunday's game." (Daily Mirror)
 | THE HEADLINES The Times: Beside themselves beside the sea: Sussex defy tide of history Daily Telegraph: Corks pop as Sussex wait ends The Sun: Sol's hell - He'll miss Utd after dad's death Daily Express: Wake up - sweet dreams will become nightmares if we don't get it right soon warns Vieira Daily Mail: Danger signs for Arsenal Daily Star: Gerro kops �13m deal to KO Blues Daily Mirror: Gunning for you - Ruud aims to pile on agony for Arsenal The Guardian: Sing a song for Sussex after 164 years The Independent: Goodwin hits 335 as Sussex sweep to title |
The Sun reports that one man who may be missing Arsenal's crunch game is central defender Sol Campbell following the death of his father.
But the paper also reports that Campbell's England partner Rio Ferdinand is set to return to United's line-up after his kidney infection.
Sussex's first Championship earns the plaudits of Britain's cricket commentators.
Christopher Martin-Jenkins in the Times says that Sussex's triumph "provides an important lesson for those who say that county cricket is outdated" while Paul Weaver in The Guardian describes the moment of victory as "strangely astrological".
Football may be the winner over cricket as far as the tabloids are concerned but the Daily Mirror does dedicate a double-page spread to the "exclusive" news that former England fast bowler Devon Malcolm is to retire from the professional game.
The Leicestershire player says his 9-57 for England against South Africa in 1994 was his best achievement in the game.
"That wasn't even my fastest spell for England but it was my most satisfying," he told the paper.
MMIX
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