Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona, with the Chile forward having travelled to London for his medical.

Mesut Ozil must take criticism on the chin and achieve greater consistency to succeed at Arsenal next season, according to Per Mertesacker.

Michael Carrick was happy to ignore the early-season bandwagon jumpers who insisted Manchester United had got it all wrong following the appointment of David Moyes.

Chelsea 3 FC Basel 1

Two men have been charged after disorder at the FA Cup semi-final between Millwall and Wigan Athletic.

Controversial new Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio is ready to take his place in the spotlight when he makes his first Barclays Premier League appearance in the dugout in tomorrow’s match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Michael Carrick would be happy to sacrifice the regular thrills and spills of Manchester United’s meetings with Chelsea for a simple 1-0 win when they eventually play their FA Cup quarter-final replay.

Stoke defender Robert Huth will serve a three-match suspension after deciding not to contest a Football Association charge of violent conduct.

Newcastle 3 Chelsea 2

Alan Pardew will not subject himself to another transfer window of fretting over Demba Ba if he remains a Newcastle player at the end of next month.

Chelsea say they have taken “further disciplinary action” against John Terry after he decided not to appeal against his four-match ban for racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand – but the club are keeping their sanction secret.

QPR manager Mark Hughes has strongly hinted that he believes the pre-match handshake should be abandoned.

Roberto Di Matteo has declared Chelsea are too big a club to be bullied by Barcelona into selling David Luiz.

Roberto Di Matteo has declared Chelsea are too big a club to be bullied by Barcelona into selling David Luiz.

Manchester City have no injury concerns ahead of this weekend’s climactic Barclays Premier clash against QPR.

Salomon Kalou has vowed to answer those dismissing Chelsea’s chances of beating Barcelona, insisting he has already spotted weaknesses in the European champions’ rearguard.

TODAY

Blackburn boss Steve Kean made five changes to his side following last Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Newcastle for the Barclays Premier clash with Fulham.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has a “gut feeling” this will be his club’s season.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini suggested Chelsea defender Ashley Cole was at the centre of a tunnel bust-up following the Londoners’ 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

Midfield hardman turned Hollywood actor Vinnie Jones today blasted FIFA president Sepp Blatter for setting back the fight against racism and claimed he would have never allowed Carlos Tevez to get away with disobeying his manager.

Sunderland 2 West Brom 2

Nemanja Vidic’s agent has dismissed talk of the Manchester United captain leaving Old Trafford.

Giovanni Trapattoni is infuriated by Celtic striker Anthony Stokes’ decision to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad because of tiredness.

Everton 1 Chelsea 0

Swansea 3 Nottingham Forest 1 (agg 3-1)

Carlos Tevez’ future at Manchester City continues to be shrouded in uncertainty as the dust settles on Saturday’s FA Cup triumph.

FA chairman David Bernstein has warned his organisation only has limited power in FIFA and cannot be expected to bring about sweeping changes at football’s governing body.

Midfielder Stephen Ireland is desperate to repay Newcastle’s faith in him after belatedly making his debut.

West Ham 1 Aston Villa 2

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is set to miss the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on April 16 after being charged by the Football Association for his foul-mouthed on-camera tirade at the weekend.

FERNANDO TORRES insists it was always going to take him time to settle at Chelsea as his search for his first goal for the club continues.

Carlo Ancelotti today refused to reveal what punishment Ashley Cole had been dealt for accidentally shooting a work placement student at Chelsea.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is set to make several changes for tomorrow’s home FA Cup fourth-round clash against Coventry.

ALEX MCLEISH insists he has the full backing of the Birmingham board and “doesn’t feel at all threatened”.

Steven Gerrard wants Kenny Dalglish to remain as Liverpool manager beyond this season.

Blackburn 1 QPR 0

Newcastle 3 West Ham 0

MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini will hold talks with star striker Carlos Tevez tomorrow in a bid to persuade him to stay with the club.

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has demanded that his side turn on the style against Marseille in their final Champions League Group F game tomorrow night.

MUNSTER GAA officials admit they may be forced to complete their club championship schedule in 2011 if weather conditions continue to deteriorate.

HARRY REDKNAPP yesterday insisted Manchester United would push Chelsea all the way in the Barclays Premier League title race, despite their recent travails.

Chris Hughton has told his Newcastle players they should relish their Carling Cup third round trip to free-scoring Chelsea.

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen must serve a one-match suspension after his appeal against the red card received in Saturday’s victory over West Ham was rejected.