Steve Bould has confirmed reports quoted on the official Sunderland site - saying he was 'set to retire', unable to shake off a toe injury.

'Bould was hopeful of making a full recovery after undergoing an operation on the problem in the summer,' they said. 'But the 37-year-old suffered a relapse last month and has been told by doctors that if he continues to play the injury could affect him in later life.'

'The injury to my toe means that I will be unable to continue to play at the highest level and I have therefore decided to retire while at the peak of my career,' said Bouldy in a subsequent statement. We could argue about the use of the word 'peak', but now is not the time...

'I've had a long and successful career in football which I have thoroughly enjoyed and I'm hoping to stay in the game perhaps by trying my hand at coaching. I would like to say a big thank you to all of the Sunderland, Arsenal and Stoke fans who have given me their support during my career.'

And so it looks like the first farewell to a member of the legendary Arsenal defensive unit.

Also... Lee Dixon says he'll quit if he doesn't get a new Arsenal contract... not even from his beloved Man City. See this article on Sporting Life.