The Sport Matrix: Thursday 16 October 2014

Arsenal hierarchy set for key AGM

Arsenal’s Annual General Meeting takes place today, with many issues for Stan Kroenke, the owner, manager Arsène Wenger, chairman Sir Chips Keswick and chief executive Ivan Gazidis to address. Shareholders have submitted a list of questions, while there are key issues for supporters, such as the club’s transfer policy and the team’s terrible record against other top clubs.

Kvitova learns to live with fame

Petra Kvitova admits it took her time to get used to fame after winning Wimbledon. The 24-year-old, one of the favourites to win next week’s season-ending finale at the Women’s Tennis Association Finals, said: “I’m not someone who enjoys being recognised too much. I’ve always tried to be the same person I was before I won Wimbledon, but it has been very difficult. I’ve had to get used to it.”

Blind has belief to succeed at United

Manchester United’s Daley Blind insists his Amsterdam self-confidence will enable him to stand up for himself in a dressing room of stars and that he will not be “shy” with Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao. Blind said: “I’m not a player United [paid a fortune for] like Di Maria, but that doesn’t make me a shy boy … thanks to Amsterdamse bluf, we Ajax players have a natural self-confidence.”

Houghton aims to beat former club Arsenal

Steph Houghton, the England and Manchester City captain, has insisted that getting one over her old club Arsenal is not her main motivation as she looks forward to tonight’s Continental Cup final.

Houghton, who left Arsenal for City at the start of this year, said ending Arsenal’s three-year run of Continental Cup wins “would mean everything” – but “not because it’s against my old side but because we deserve a trophy for the way we have played in this competition”.

Houghton is set to return to Nick Cushing’s side after she was rested for Sunday’s Women’s Super League finale.

Casey beats cup hero Donaldson

Paul Casey beat Ryder Cup hero Jamie Donaldson in his opening rubber at the Volvo World Match Play Championship yesterday, as he continues his push to return to the upper echelons of the game. Casey has been seeking form since his return from dislocating his shoulder in 2012.