World champion Sebastian Vettel took his and Red Bull’s first pole position of 2012 ahead of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The German, who out-qualified team-mate Mark Webber for the first time this year, was 0.098 seconds quicker than Hamilton, with Webber third.

McLaren’s Jenson Button was fourth, ahead of Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Force India’s Paul di Resta did not set a time and are ninth and 10th.

Both men preferred to save a set of tyres for the race because tyre life is expected to be a critical factor.

The same reason lies behind Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen, whose team-mate Romain Grosjean is seventh, failing to make it into the top 10.

Raikkonen said he “could easily” have got into final qualifying but preferred to save a set of tyres for the race.

The chief beneficiary of all this strategic play was Toro Rosso’s Daniel Ricciardo, who qualified a stunning sixth, ahead of Grosjean and Sauber’s Sergio Perez.

Rosberg’s team-mate Michael Schumacher will start 17th after failing to get out of the first qualifying session.

Vettel has had a difficult start to the season, uncomfortable in Red Bull’s new car, and before Bahrain his highest qualifying position was fifth.

But Red Bull’s race pace has been strong and Vettel said he was optimistic of a good result in the grand prix.

“We should be better off in the race,” he said. “Our race pace has proven to be consistent in the last couple of races.

“I’m happier with the way the car feels. We should be able to get the same kind of feeling and result on Sunday.

“I’m looking forward to the start and then I think it will be very tight. I think Nico [Rosberg] has been very strong all weekend and the Lotus guys can surprise.

“In terms of race pace, I think everyone will be much closer together.”

Vettel said his pole owed much to intense work by the team to understand better the car.

“We have been busy working on the car,” he said, “trying to find the perfect solution and the right way to go forward. I don’t think the boys had much sleep the last four races.

“It’s very good to put the car on pole. The car felt much better all weekend. I was quite happy. It wasn’t a smooth qualifying for us, nearly out in Q1, nearly out in Q2. It’s great that we could beat Lewis.”

Hamilton was happy with his second place, despite losing out to the German: “I’m definitely very happy with the job we’ve done, and the improved set-up.

“It was a bit close in Q1, but thank goodness we got through. It was probably our best qualifying session. We’ve just got to keep on pushing.”

Mark Webber, however, was surprised to have been in the top three. “Seb did a good lap. We are happy to be towards the front, after there was a big gap on Friday in particular. We are pretty surprised.”

Schumacher was knocked out of qualifying with the very last lap of the first session by Caterham driver Heikki Kovalainen.

Schumacher revealed that his DRS rear-wing overtaking aid, which boosts straight-line speed and of which use is free in qualifying, had failed.

“There was no need to go out again until it was fixed and then the time ran out,” he said.

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Jean Todt defends Bahrain decision

Kimi Raikkonen failed to make it into the top 10, and will start 11th, after team-mate Grosjean displaced him in the final seconds of the second session.

Raikkonen said he “could easily” have got into final qualifying but preferred to save a set of tyres for the race.

Ricciardo, who finished a career-best sixth in qualifying, said: “It’s not always you have a day like this, so I can enjoy the moment, bearing in mind that it’s Sunday that counts.”

The controversy over the wisdom of racing in Bahrain in the middle of ongoing civil unrest continues to overshadow the weekend.

Jean Todt, the president of motorsport’s governing body, has defended the decision to hold the race. His comments come after claims that a protester was shot dead in clashes with riot police on Friday night in Bahrain.

The atmosphere in the paddock is muted in the wake of representatives of the Force India and Sauber teams encountering trouble on their way back from the track into the capital Manama on two different days leading up to the weekend.

Force India skipped the second practice session on Friday to ensure their staff could return from the circuit before dark, a decision made after F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone offered to stay with them as late as they wished and accompany them back to their hotel, either with or without a police escort.

Force India’s cars did not appear on television coverage of qualifying on Saturday.

BBC Sports News correspondent Dan Roan reported that there was heavy security on the roads leading to the circuit as the Bahraini authorities attempt to ensure that unrest in the country does not affect their biggest international sporting event.

Novak Djokovic sealed his place in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters with a 4-6 6-3 6-2 win over Tomas Berdych.

Berdych, who defeated Andy Murray in his quarter-final on Friday, claimed a tight first set as blustery conditions made play challenging.

Thereafter, Djokovic upped his game, improving his forehand returns in particular, and sealed the win.

Rafael Nadal, who is aiming for his eighth straight title in Monaco, takes on Gilles Simon later on Saturday.

As clouds of dust blew across the court, both players found gaining rhythm difficult in the first set, but 26-year-old Berdych prevailed with some thunderous ground strokes.

A disgruntled Djokovic, who has played on despite suffering the death of his grandfather on Thursday, rallied in the second set.

The Serb world number one then ensured the win in comprehensive fashion, powering past Berdych to reach Sunday’s final.

Defending champion Nadal, who has won 40 matches on the bounce, faces home favourite Simon for a place in his eighth consecutive Monte Carlo final.

Arsenal’s hopes of a top-four finish remain in the balance after they were held to a goalless home draw by an under-strength Chelsea.

The Blues made eight changes to the team which beat Barcelona on Wednesday, but comfortably contained the Gunners.

In a poor first half, Robin van Persie hit a post and Laurent Koscielny headed against the bar after making two fine clearances to thwart Chelsea.

Van Persie missed two chances late on and Koscielny denied Daniel Sturridge.

Analysis

Jonathan Pearce BBC Match of the Day commentator

No goals, leg-weary and disjointed. For Chelsea, Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg was probably the bigger priority but their understudies proved capable. Their main aim was containment, and they achieved that, but Barcelona will be a lot more threatening that the Arsenal of today.

For two clubs who have played out so many classic encounters over the years, this once deserves to be forgotten as quickly as possible.

But it could have significant ramifications for both in their respective bids to finish in the Champions League places.

Arsenal stay third with three matches remaining, but Tottenham and Newcastle are six points adrift with two games in hand.

Those two are a point ahead of Chelsea with one game in hand, meaning the Blues’ place in next season’s Champions League may rest on them winning the competition this time around.

They take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their semi-final against Barcelona on Tuesday, a game which seems to be taking greater importance by the day.

Three days on from that first-leg victory over Barcelona, and with the trip to Spain a high priority, it was hardly surprising Blues boss Roberto di Matteo made so many alterations to his starting line-up.

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Chelsea locked game – Wenger

Petr Cech, John Terry and Gary Cahill were the only men to keep their places, but Chelsea’s side still featured plenty of quality and they were perfectly comfortable in the early stages.

They passed and moved with pace and intelligence as the home crowd grew frustrated with their team’s lethargic opening.

It was Arsenal who created the first clear-cut chance – Van Persie meeting Theo Walcott’s free-kick at the back post but only managing to direct his free-kick against the woodwork.

However, that failed to spark the hosts into life and it required a last-ditch interception from Koscielny to prevent Fernando Torres meeting Florent Malouda’s low centre.

Two minutes later, Malouda fed Salomon Kalou over the top and he eluded on-rushing goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, only for Koscielny to arrive with impeccable timing once more.

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Di Matteo defends Chelsea rotation

Arsenal’s usual fluency was absent but they finally found some rhythm shortly before half-time when Koscielny headed a free-kick against the bar and Van Persie saw a drive parried by Cech.

The start of the second half was as underwhelming and uneventful as the first, although Arsenal’s hopes were dented by the loss of Walcott and Tomas Rosicky to injury.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s withdrawal meant Arsenal had made all three substitutions with 20 minutes still to play, while Chelsea introduced John Mikel Obi, Juan Mata and Ashley Cole.

The arrival of former Gunner Cole raised the volume inside Emirates Stadium, but the pattern of play did not alter as Chelsea contained Arsenal while occasionally looking to strike on the counter-attack.

Van Persie skewed wide after being released on the right by Alex Song, and was then foiled by Cech after one turn too many.

Arsenal could find no way through and it took a fine challenge by Koscielny to deny Sturridge at the end.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:

“They locked the game completely. They had to win as well but tried to lock the game, catch us on the break. We lacked a bit of fluency, played with the handbrake on, feared not to be exposed on counters and were not complete spontaneous.

“It was a very tough game physically but we showed great character and were a bit unlucky with our chances. We knew would have few chances but they had none, zero.

“I felt it was more a nervous thing today than ‘end of season’. Chelsea are very strong physically in the middle of park and had a very defensive-minded midfield. They killed the game and we were not quick enough to open them up, but still had chances.”

Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo:

“We put ourselves in good position with breaks, we just missed some quality in the final pass to get a goal. Arsenal play a similar game to Barcelona with possession and rotation. We contained them well but going forward we looked dangerous.

“We had a few players out because of injuries and illness today and I selected the best team to get a result. It was out third game in less than six games, it’s impossible to use the same 11 players but we have a great squad and today they showed their quality and worth.

“The demand is incredible; it’s crazy that we have to play in such a short period of time this amount of games. It’s dangerous for the players because the risk of injury increases.

“There are four games left and three home games – we’ve got a tough schedule but we can do it [finish in the top four].”

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el clasico: Barcelona v Real Madrid

• Venue: Nou Camp
• Date: Saturday 21 April
• Kick-off: 1900 BST

Coverage: Full live text commentary on the BBC Sport website from 1800 BST

The simultaneous presence of two players as dazzlingly prolific as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is unique in the history of their sport.

Both players have hit 41 goals this season, they may well add more when the latest instalment of their rivalry is played out at the Nou Camp on Saturday night.

Real Madrid top the La Liga table on 85 points, with Barcelona four points back. Each team has five games to play.

Former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen, an opponent of Ronaldo and a team-mate of Messi, is as well-placed as any to deliver judgement as they prepare for the most pivotal el clasico of the season so far.

“They are very different footballers and very different characters,” Gudjohnsen told BBC Sport. “It is incredible the standard that they are setting. They have taken the game to a different level, reaching standards that very few of us have seen anyone reach.”

Here, Gudjohnsen compares the men who are rewriting the record books.

Dribbling, skill level, technique

Messi

With feet as sensitive as a pick-pocket’s hands, Messi has taken close control to new heights. His bewildering repertoire of faints and swerves, sudden stops and demoralising spurts leave defenders dumbfounded time and again.

Gudjohnsen: “His control is the best I have ever seen, it is truly breathtaking.” 10/10

Ronaldo

His stepover has become a thing of myth but rarely have we seen a player of such skill, run at such pace and with such power. An incredible recipe for success all wrapped up in one player.

Gudjohnsen: “His speed is what takes him beyond players but his close control is excellent.” 8/10

Heading ability

Messi

Despite his diminutive stature, Messi has and will continue to score goals with his head – most notably against Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League Final in Rome.

Gudjohnsen: “His size does is not a problem. You can’t afford to underestimate him in the air, if you do he will find the net.” 6/10

Ronaldo

The Real Madrid forward is the complete athlete – a modern phenomenon. Standing at 6ft 2in, Ronaldo is a threat in the air, although doesn’t score as many as he might because he takes so many free-kicks.

Gudjohnsen: “Ronaldo is an incredible threat in the air, his athleticism and speed makes him a player you have to watch.” 8/10

Free-kicks

Messi

The Argentine is more than capable of producing exquisite, delicate free-kicks but he perhaps lacks the variation that his great rival can muster.

Gudjohnsen: “He has so much ability and such magic in his feet that he can do anything with a dead ball.” 7/10

Ronaldo

Arguably the most dangerous free-kick exponent in world football – Ronaldo’s trademark dipping, swerving strikes are a blend of grace and devastation.

Gudjohnsen: “He has scored some incredible free-kicks in his career. When he gets it right they are unstoppable.” 9/10

Team players?

Messi

The ultimate team player. Much of his success has been his ability to dovetail so beautifully with the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. His ability to apparently read his team-mates’ minds and his selflessness in dragging players away with runs is a key part of his success.

Gudjohnsen: “He is the perfect team-mate. Quiet, dignified, brilliant to play with.” 9/10

Ronaldo

One of the few criticisms that have been levelled at the Portuguese during his career has been tendency to take the impossible shot with a team-mate better placed. Ronaldo has occasionally been jeered by Real fans because of this.

Gudjohnsen: “When you have that level of talent, perhaps it is understandable that you think you can do it all?” 6/10

Goals

Messi and Ronaldo

The statistics speak for themselves. Since his £80m transfer from Manchester United in the summer of 2009, Ronaldo had scored 138 times in 136 appearances for Real Madrid. In that period, Barcelona’s maestro delivered 161 goals in 159 games. How can you separate them?

You can’t, according to Gudjohnsen. “To say one is better than the other is very difficult because the two of them seem very similar in the way they are scoring goals. They are reaching standards that very few of us have seen anyone reach in recent years.” Both 10/10

Conclusion

Comparing two of the greatest players to grace the game is no easy task, but Messi just has the edge. Ronaldo has been accused of disappearing in the matches that really matter and, while that is not always the case, it is not a criticism that can be levelled at Messi. There is a sense that the diminutive Argentine is something extra special, a player whose like we may never see again but it’s close, very close.

Gudjohnsen: “It is so hard to say one is better than the other but Messi narrowly has the edge. I have never seen anything like him. We’d be lucky to be watching one of them. To be entertained by both is a blessing.”

Totals

Messi: 42/50

Ronaldo: 41/50

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Theo Walcott is likely to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury, but should be fit in time for Euro 2012.

The 23-year-old winger hobbled off in clear discomfort after 60 minutes of Arsenal’s 0-0 draw against Chelsea.

“It looks like a serious hamstring,” said Wenger. “I think now for him it will be tough to come back before the end of the season.

“It is usually 21 days [minimum]. He should be OK to play for England.”

Arsenal travel to Stoke next Saturday and host Norwich a week later before finishing the campaign at West Brom on 13 May.

England depart for the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine on 6 June, with their first match against France in Donetsk on 18 June.

Walcott, who has scored 11 goals in 44 appearances this season, is expected to be named in England’s squad for the tournament.

“First we assessed the hamstring,” Wenger explained. “He wanted to go on and stay on the pitch.

“I think he should have gone off straight away because the second time it was a real hamstring [injury].

“He will have a good rest but I don’t think he will be ready to play for us.”

England have already lost the services of Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, whose ankle injury has seen him miss the entire season.

Gunners midfielder Mikel Arteta will also miss the rest of the campaign after damaging ankle ligaments.