EPL

Arsenal have started talks to sign classy Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic. Arsene Wenger is determined to build a credible title contender for next season and signing Jovetic is seemingly the first step.

Jovetic has been linked with a move to Arsenal for some time. This isn't the first time Arsenal talks have been mooted. Back in March, Metro suggested the Gunners had a deal in place.

However, fresh rumors of actual talks to conclude a deal have really gained momentum in the last two days.

Upon his arrival in the Spanish capital, newly appointed Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was well aware that one of his main objectives at the club was to return the Champions League trophy to the Bernabeu for a record tenth time. It would be hard for him to imagine that a club on the verge of bankruptcy less than a decade ago would be the team to stop him. 

Sunderland’s love affair with Paolo Di Canio has seen initial hesitation on the part of the former give way to increasing affection. Doubts over the Italian’s personal beliefs and lack of top-flight managerial experience have diminished with the team’s improvement on the pitch.

The revitalized Black Cats won bragging rights in the Tyne-Wear derby, before the Italian led them to a win over Everton that has increased their chances of Premier League survival. This unlikely relationship between the tempestuous, yet highly astute Di Canio and his newly acquainted Mackem brethren is sure to be a passionate one right until the end.

Di Canio in many ways represents the stereotypically fiery Italian persona, and has transfixed English football audiences from his playing days at Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United and Charlton Athletic, right up until more recently with his first foray into management at Swindon Town.

The 44-year-old’s return to the British Isles in 2011 further re-established one of the more prominent connections between his adopted home and the calcio culture that has so captivated its English equivalent in recent decades.

Serial gnasher, Luis Suarez has been banned for ten games by an independent FA panel today. The player has the right to appeal the ban, but he would thereby open himself up to the ban being increased, if it is deemed "flippant".
Suarez was found guilty of serious foul play by the FA, as the referee says that he did not see the incident properly. The procedure in such events is for a mandatory 3 games ban, but the FA has the right to contest the length of the ban if it deems it insufficient. The FA did exactly that and appealed the length of the ban, thereby instituting the independent FA panel which has a few moments ago banned him for and additional 7 games, making a total of 10 games ban. That means he will miss the rest of this season and the beginning of next season as well.
Suarez bit the upper arm of Chelsea defender Ivanovic during the match at the weekend between Chelsea and Liverpool. Whilst the referee maintains that he did not see the incident, the rest of the world was watching on their television sets. In the furore after the match, the FA promised to deal with the matter immediately, which they have done.

Arsene Wenger seems serious about upgrading Arsenal's attacking options this summer. He is rumored to be targeting transfers for Juventus strikers Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella.

That's according to a report from website Forzaitalianfootball.com. Wenger is said to have contacted Juve about the potential availability of both players this summer.

Arsenal haven't lacked goals this season, but they have been missing consistency in attack. There have been goal rushes, such as scoring five against Tottenham Hotspur, Reading and West Ham United.

The Gunners also hit seven against Newcastle United at the end of December. However, for every free-scoring display there have been games where Arsenal were inept in front of goal.

They failed to score in a 1-0 defeat away to Norwich City back in October. They also drew blanks against Everton, Stoke City, Sunderland, Aston Villa, Swansea City and Schalke 04.