Sporting briefs

Wenger: Arsene Wenger said he believes Arsenal's failure to win major honours this season has given them an extra appetite for next season. Arsenal have failed to get near Man. United and Chelsea at the top of the league, suffered an early exit in the Champions League and lost to Chelsea in the League Cup final. Wenger said: "This was a season which was full of promise. I am confident it will help us to be stronger for next year. We moved to a new stadium and had so many injuries. We have still challenged and reached the League Cup final, but it is not enough."

Melchiot: Dutch defender Mario Melchiot, who joined Rennes from Birmingham City at the start of the season, has told L'Equipe he has been contacted by several English clubs. The former Chelsea player remained vague, however, about his future plans.

Unsportsmanlike message: The Chinese FA suspended Xiamen Lanshi defender Gabriel Melkam for three matches and fined him $650 for wearing a vest emblazoned with "Chinese umpires are all fakes". Local media said Melkam's act was in response to a referee blunder in the previous round that caused Xiamen to lose 1-0 to Shanghai Shenhua.

Barthez: Nantes keeper Fabien Barthez has infuriated his team-mates with a dangerous tackle on midfielder Dimitri Payet in training. The incident has added to an already bad atmosphere at a club who are bottom of the table and seven points from safety before hosting Stade Rennes today.

Charlton: Charlton Athletic, who are 18th and just one point better off than West Ham, have paid for 71 coaches and funded some flights to get 6,000 fans to Blackburn Rovers. With just one defeat in eight league matches, Charlton hope to have Ben Thatcher (hip) and Marcus Bent (hamstring) fit.

In England: Championship - Sunderland vs Burnley 3-2. League One - Northampton vs Huddersfield 1-1.

MFA Div. III: Mdina vs Ghaxaq 0-1; Kalkara vs Siggiewi 2-5.