The likes of Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Celtic will soon learn their fate in the continent’s second-tier tournament The Europa League is gearing up for the knock-out stage and excitement is building across the continent as teams wait to find out who they will face. Eight Champions League teams join those who battled their way through the groups and there are a spate of totemic clubs represented in the competition. The draw is just around the corner and Goal brings you all you need to know, as well as who the bigger teams can and cannot get. WHEN IS THE EUROPA LEAGUE LAST-32 DRAW? Article continues below Editors' Picks…

The Gunners ended a four-game losing run with a spirited victory over AC Milan in the Europa League, much to the delight of their under-fire manager Arsene Wenger compared Arsenal to a boxer getting back off the canvas after their 2-0 win over AC Milan in the Europa League. The Gunners took control of their last-16 tie with a victory at San Siro, courtesy of a first goal for the club for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and a strike from Aaron Ramsey. The result ended a four-game losing streak in all competitions for Wenger’s men, which included back-to-back 3-0 defeats to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and the Premier League.…

After scoring twice against CSKA Moscow, the Arsenal forward was a little frustrated to be withdrawn before the end Alexandre Lacazette acknowledged he was slightly frustrated to be substituted in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over CSKA Moscow, as he chased his first hat-trick for the club. Arsenal put one foot in the Europa League semi-finals with their impressive first-leg victory over the Russian side, with Lacazette and Aaron Ramsey getting two goals each. But, unlike Ramsey, Lacazette was withdrawn with 16 minutes to go, denying him the chance to complete a hat-trick. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter…

The goalkeeper, who was involved in a transfer saga earlier this summer, helped his side reach the Europa League play-offs on Thursday Gianluigi Donnarumma says it is “as if nothing happened” during his contract saga as he thanked Milan fans for Thursday’s positive reception in his first competitive match back at San Siro since signing a renewal. Get odds on who will win the Europa League Milan beat CSU Craiova 2-0 in the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie to cruise into the play-off round 3-0 on aggregate in front of an impressive 65,763 crowd. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may…

The defender’s path from Ajax youth system to Manchester United’s first-team looks like a simple one, but there was a time it all looked grim COMMENT “It will be a very special match,” Daley Blind has said repeatedly in the build up to Manchester United’s Europa League final against Ajax on Wednesday. It will be so for many inspiring reasons to those on both sides, but for the 27-year-old, it puts him face to face with the club that made him the man he is today. Davy Klaassen: The Ajax star tipped to succeed at Man Utd When he steps out onto the Friends Arena looking to follow in his…

The Atletico Madrid boss insisted he is motivated to win the Europa League after tasting Champions League defeat in the 2014 and 2016 deciders Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone said he would rather have a Europa League trophy than a Champions League final loss on his resume. Simeone’s Atletico host Portuguese visitors Sporting CP in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday. Atletico dropped down to the Europa League after failing to progress beyond the Champions League group stage this season. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as…

Despite attracting criticism when he won the penalty to give Arsenal the lead in their Europa League match, the striker will not face punishment Danny Welbeck’s alleged dive against AC Milan will not lead to any punishment by UEFA. The Arsenal forward went to ground under minimal contact from Ricardo Rodriguez in his side’s 3-1 Europa League win over the Serie A club last week, converting the penalty himself. Gunners manager Arsene Wenger indicated in a post-match interview that he did not see whether Welbeck deceived the officials, while Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso said he would not “judge” English football over the incident. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already…

The pair previously played together at Borussia Dortmund and have reunited in north London under Arsene Wenger Henrikh Mkhitaryan has revealed his delight at Arsenal signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund. The pair spent three years together at Dortmund, and reunited in January, as Mkhitaryan moved to the Emirates from Manchester United in a swap deal that saw Alexis Sanchez go the other way, while Aubameyang was recruited in a club-record £55 million deal. The two played together for the first time since their Dortmund days against Everton, with Aubameyang netting his first goal in a 5-1 win, and Mkhitaryan providing three assists. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on…

A 2-1 defeat to Lyon has piled further pressure onto the Toffees boss ahead of two difficult matches against Arsenal and Chelsea Ronald Koeman concedes that his future is out his hands after Everton’s woeful start to the season continued with a 2-1 defeat to Lyon on Thursday. The Toffees have now won just twice in their past 12 games and are rooted to the bottom of Europa League Group E after picking up just one point from their opening three matches in the competition. Everton 21/20 for defeat to Arsenal Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter Sarri vindicated…

The Gunners play Cologne and the Blues in quick succession this week, but their manager will not be complaining Arsene Wenger insists he will not use the Europa League as an excuse for a poor performance when Arsenal play rivals Chelsea on Sunday. After missing out on the Premier League top four last season, Arsenal have dropped to the Europa League and will open their campaign in Europe’s second competition at home to Cologne on Thursday. Giroud 4/5 to score v Cologne Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro…