Arsenal today completed the signing of long-term target Marouane Chamakh as Arsene Wenger began what could be a busy summer of transfer activity for the club.

Laurent Blanc is set to become France coach after the French Football Federation reached an agreement with Bordeaux for him to take over after the World Cup finals.

The Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh beat the flight disruption caused by the cloud of volcanic ash by arriving in London on the Eurostar to meet Arsenal for talks over his free transfer yesterday.

Marouane Chamakh is "counting the days" until he finally becomes an Arsenal player - and intends to prove he was worth the wait.

Birmingham

The club have been charged by the Football Association with failing to control their players during the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday. Defender Stephen Carr has received a separate charge of improper conduct.

Veteran defender Sol Campbell maintains there will be "no stopping" the current young Arsenal side when everything eventually comes together.

Bordeaux midfielder Yoann Gourcuff has accused the press of causing his club's downfall from 2009 Ligue 1 champions to also-rans this campaign.

Matters are rarely straightforward in French football, but as Lyons travel to Bayern Munich for tonight's first leg of their Champions League semi-final the present situation takes some beating.

The Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc insists his side can recover from their string of recent setbacks to mount a final push for the Ligue 1 title over the closing weeks of the season.