FOOTBALL UPDATE

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Alexis Sanchez should not be considered a "mercenary" for opting to join Manchester United rather than renewing his contract at the Emirates Stadium. Sanchez made the move to Old Trafford on Monday, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan switching the other way in a swap deal. The Chilean is reported to be earning £350,000 a week at Old Trafford, vastly in excess of Arsenal's top-earning players, having entered the last six months of his Gunners contract without penning fresh terms. Wenger previously appeared to suggest Sanchez had moved for money, citing the forward's desire to secure "his last contract" and claiming he "cannot understand" why the 29-year-old wanted to leave Arsenal. But the Frenchman appeared to row back on his comments when he spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of his side's EFL Cup semi-final second leg at home to Chelsea. "Of course the financial aspect is important but he could combine ...

Arsene Wenger will serve a three-match touchline ban after he was charged with misconduct by the FA. Wenger has also been fined £40,000 over comments he made about the refereeing of last Sunday's 1-1 draw at West Brom. Referee Mike Dean awarded West Brom a late penalty for handball against Arsenal defender Calum Chambers during the match and Jay Rodriguez converted to earn his side a point. Wenger expressed his displeasure with the decision when he spoke to the media after the game and was subsequently charged for post-match remarks that he made in the referees' changing room. And an FA statement on Friday read: "Arsene Wenger will serve a touchline ban for Arsenal's next three matches after he was charged with misconduct. "It follows an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today at which the Arsenal manager admitted that his language and behaviour in the match officials' changing room after the West Brom game on Sunday was abusive, improper a...