A tribute from Monsieur Wenger to his Chelsea counterpart Guus Hiddink, three years his senior aged 69. "I respect him," Wenger says. "He has had an exceptional career. He is one of the leading managers."

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It is an absolute ding-donger of a night match out on Rod Laver Arena.

Lleyton Hewitt - down 6-2 4-3 to David Ferrer - has forced six break points in this eighth game of the second set - but has been unable to convert any.

The Fanatics in the crowd are living every forehand and fist pump.

You can listen to the drama live on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.

After the chief of UK Anti-Doping Nicole Sapstead saying she would "value the opportunity" to talk to Arsene Wenger about his comments on doping in football, the Arsenal boss, who has called for blood tests to be taken as a matter of routine, says: "If a guy wins it needs to be because he is the best not because he has taken drugs."

Arsene Wenger with more injury news from the Emirates. "Coquelin is ahead of schedule and Welbeck should be back in training soon."

Arsene Wenger confirms that Mesut Ozil will be available to face the champions on Sunday and that "Alexis Sanchez should make it".

The Chilean forward has been sidelined since November with a hamstring problem.

Image source, PA

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Over in Melbourne, a packed Rod Laver Arena is willing Lleyton 'Rusty' Hewitt on against Spanish eighth seed David Ferrer.

The 34-year-old, making his final Australian Open appearance, will have to show all his trademark grit and doggedness to prolong his farewell.

He is down 6-2 4-3 with Ferrer a break up in the second set.

Over on Hisense, fourth seed Stan Wawrinka is cruising, two sets and a break up on Czech lighthouse Radek Stepanek.

Monsieur Wenger is due at any moment for his news conference ahead of Arsenal's crunch London derby with Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday and we will keep you informed of what he discloses.

Image source, Arsenal

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There were some cracking goals in the midweek FA Cup replays, Liverpool's Sheyi Ojo curling one of them above, and UK users can watch the best of them here.

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In 2003, former snooker player Bill Werbeniuk died of heart failure in Canada at the age of 56. Werbeniuk was famous for consuming huge quantities of lager during his matches in the 1980s - and claimed smoking and drinking helped steady his nerves at the table.

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The Telegraph are reporting, external that Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Eddie Jones speaks to Sonja McLaughlan for a 5 live Sport special all about England's first overseas rugby union coach. In an in-depth interview, Jones speaks of his admiration for Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola, the stroke he suffered while working in Japan and how travelling the world has shaped his personality and coaching philosophy. 

You can listen to a taster here

Sky Sports are reporting that former West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan, 33, is to be announced as Leyton Orient player-manager.

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Local favourite Lleyton Hewitt is in action now on the Rod Laver Court. In his final Australian Open, 34-year-old Hewitt is up against eighth seed David Ferrer, who is serving for the first set at 5-2.

BBC Radio 5 Live

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During Wednesday's Football Daily show, Pat Nevin hinted that former Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli could take over as Chelsea’s new manager in the summer.

Listen to what the former Stamford Bridge winger had to say here...

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It's the first big golf tournament of the year on the European Tour and world number one Jordan Spieth is paired with four-time major winner Rory McIlroy and American Rickie Fowler at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

World number three McIlroy has fared the best of the three-ball, carding eight birdies in a six-under-par round of 66.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson is the clubhouse leader, one stroke ahead of McIlroy after four successive birdies from the second in his round, which contained only one dropped shot.

In Thursday's BBC Gossip Column there is an entry from the Daily Express explaining that Chelsea have agreed an £8m deal for Corinthians' 26-year-old Brazil striker Alexandre Pato. 

There is further Chelsea news from the Guardian, revealing that Radamel Falcao, 29, could end his loan spell at Stamford Bridge and return to parent club Monaco.

Image source, PA

Liverpool youngsters Sheyi Ojo and Joao Teixeira were among the goalscorers as the Reds saw off League Two Exeter 3-0 in their replay at Anfield. 

Jurgen Klopp's team will face West Ham at home in the next round.

Image source, Reuters

Tottenham's South Korea international Son Heung-min seized his opportunity in the Spurs starting line-up with a stunning goal and an incisive pass to set up Nacer Chadli for the second as the Lilywhites beat Leicester 2-0 to set up a fourth-round meeting with Colchester.

Image source, EPA

The top British ladies player, Johanna Konta, also progressed serenely into the third round in Melbourne, beating China's Zheng Saisai 6-2 6-3 in 82 minutes.

She will next face Czech Denisa Allertova, who beat German 30th seed Sabine Lisicki.