CARABAO CUP

STEVE NAILOR

MANCHESTER CITY manager Pep Guardiola was unable to provide an update on the future of assistant coach Mikel Arteta after a 3-1 win over Oxford in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

A Raheem Sterling double sent the Premier League champions into the last four of the competition for a third straight season.

Talk ahead of the fixture centred on Arteta, who is understood to be close to becoming coach.

He was alongside Guardiola in the dugout at Kassam Stadium and the City manager could not shed any light on who will be Unai Emery's successor at the Emirates despite reports insisting it will be his number two.

“There was no change. I don't have any news,” he said. “We prepared the game as best as possible. Before, during and now after and we did it.

“I spoke yesterday, my press conference I had 48 questions and 35 were about Mikel so

Arsenal's new head

I don't have to say anything more until there is news.

“When there is news, in my next [press] conference when you ask me something I will answer.”

JOHN McGILL

BARCELONA maintained their slender advantage over arch-rivals Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga after El Clasico ended goalless for the first time in 17 years.

Gareth Bale had a secondhalf effort ruled out for offside by VAR at the Nou Camp, while Barcelona's best chance fell to Jordi Alba in the first period but he fired wide.

Barca remain top on difference from Real, dominated a game that goal who had been postponed in October due to safety fears surrounding the violent protests in Catalonia.

Concerns the game would be disrupted failed to materialise, save for yellow balls hurled on to the pitch by Catalan independence supporters in the second half.

With more protests planned by Catalan campaigners there was increased security all around the stadium and helicopters buzzed overhead before kick-off.

Such were concerns, both shared the same the match. the security teams had hotel before