The Colombian forward gave Koln an early lead in the Europa League clash after a miscue from Gunners goalkeeper David Ospina Koln may have seen 9,130 days pass between goals in European competition, but Jhon Cordoba’s strike on Thursday was well worth the wait. The Colombian striker opened the scoring in the Europa League clash with Arsenal, capitalising on a David Ospina miscue to beat the Gunners goalkeeper from long range. Ospina had ventured beyond his penalty area to intercept a through ball but misplayed the clearance, allowing Cordoba to chip in the ninth-minute opener from some 45 yards out. Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played…

The Gunners will be without their full-back as they seek to snap a four-match losing run at San Siro in the Europa League clash Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin has had to visit hospital for tests on a knee ligament injury, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed. The Spain international had played every minute of the Gunners’ Premier League campaign until he was not included in the starting line-up for Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion. Wenger said on Wednesday that Bellerin will not return for the first leg of the Europa League last-16 tie with AC Milan, although he does not fear the problem is long term.…

The Italian boss revelled in his side’s ability to grind out a win after their unlikely late victory in the Europa League Head coach Vincenzo Montella extolled the positives after AC Milan’s last-ditch 3-2 Europa League win over Rijeka. Teenager Patrick Cutrone was the late hero at San Siro on Thursday, netting the injury-time winner after visiting Rijeka had overturned a 2-0 deficit in the final 10 minutes. AC Milan 6/1 to win Europa League 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 impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes…

The midfielder has dismissed claims the Old Trafford club could have had a stronger 2016-17 season, citing the three trophies they collected last term Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has opened up about his relationship with manager Jose Mourinho and has called the Portuguese “a winner”.  Griezmann confirms Atletico stay Mourinho was heavily criticised at points during his first season in charge at Old Trafford, though the overall campaign was ultimately dubbed a success due to European glory. Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes…

Arsene Wenger will retain the Colombian for Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Ostersunds and the upcoming final against the Citizens David Ospina will start Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is waiting on the fitness of influential midfielder Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil. Colombia international Ospina has been Arsenal’s regular goalkeeper in cup competitions since Petr Cech’s arrival from Chelsea in 2015, and Wenger insisted there is no temptation to select the veteran Czech with silverware on the line. Speaking at a news conference ahead of Thursday’s Europa League match at home to Ostersunds, where Arsenal carry at 3-0 lead over from the first…

Arsene Wenger fielded four at the back for the first time this season and it could ignite a change in tactics going forward The opposition may have been abundantly poor and the match somewhat meaningless where their Europa League campaign is concerned, but Arsenal’s 6-0 demolition job of BATE Borisov provided a glimpse into the formation change which Arsene Wenger could decide to deploy for the rest of the campaign. Wenger’s men started with four at the back for the first time this season on Thursday night in front of a below-capacity Emirates Stadium. While the official tickets sold numbers were 54,648, it became more apparent that just under 30,000…

A report suggested Hector Bellerin and Alexandre Lacazette were involved in a training ground confrontation, something the defender denied. Hector Bellerin has hit out at the Daily Mail after the UK newspaper claimed the Arsenal defender was involved in a training ground bust-up with team-mate Alexandre Lacazette. The Mail published an online article on Wednesday covering the Gunners’ open training session ahead of the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Atletico Madrid. The report suggested Bellerin and Lacazette “squared up to each other” having clashed when contesting a high ball and featured pictures of their apparent confrontation. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may…

Is there a price for success? Or does a rising tide lift all ships? Goal takes a look at how the Premier League’s European qualification works The 2017-18 season is drawing to a conclusion in England and continental rewards will soon be tied up for the next campaign. With the incentive of competing on the European stage – and the financial inducements that accompany that right – teams will be desperately fighting to finish as high as they can. UEFA rewards league finishes as well as cup success – both domestic and continental – and sometimes that can mean a change to the normal qualification procedure. Article continues below Editors'…

The Red Devils boss has used his programme notes to defend his team from comments made by some pundits, referring to their managerial records Jose Mourinho has hit out at his detractors in an impassioned defence of Manchester United’s achievements this season. Blind desperate to stay at Utd The Red Devils have already won the Community Shield and EFL Cup, and on Wednesday they face Ajax in the Europa League final in Stockholm. However, they are already certain to finish down in sixth place in the Premier League regardless of their result in Sunday’s final fixture against Crystal Palace. Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played…

The England international deputises for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette as the Gunners make the trip to San Siro Danny Welbeck again leads the line for Arsenal as they take on AC Milan in the Europa League. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ineligible and Alexandre Lacazette injured, former Manchester United forward Welbeck starts in a central attacking role. He will be flanked by Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan as the Gunners look to end a run of four straight defeats. 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 impress in Spurs win…