Arsenal's French link

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, said yesterday the north London club were considering a partnership with the French First Division side Cannes for the training and development of young players.

The former Monaco coach said Arsenal and Cannes were about to "sign a partnership in the field of training and talent-spotting". A number of promising players have emerged from Cannes, like the midfielder Patrick Vieira, now with Arsenal after a spell at Milan.

Franz Beckenbauer, the Bayern Munich president, plans to clear the air with Jurgen Klinsmann early in the New Year, following the striker's criticism on national television of the team's playing style, and his threat to leave at the end of the season. Klinsmann scored Bayern's goal in their 1-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday - only his fifth of the season.