Mr Sharon, riding high in the opinion polls, is less concerned about the ragged left than about the increasingly strident attacks on him from the hardline right, the mainstay of his support.

ECONOMIST: Israel and the Palestinians

By the 10-mile mark, Radcliffe was looking ragged and left trailing.

BBC: Radcliffe beaten in comeback race

But that squad rotation left Arsenal looking ragged in the opening stages, with a lack of cohesion causing possession to be wasted frequently and a nervous-looking back line leaving Wenger's side exposed against the pace of N'Zogbia and power of Hugo Rodallega.

BBC: Wigan 2-2 Arsenal

The court was told that the victim lost the upper part of his left ear and required surgery and stitches to remove the "ragged edges" from the wound.

BBC: Scott Lawson jailed over 'severed ear brawl' in Glasgow