The Gunners looked on course to win but an all too familiar defensive mix-up significantly reduced their chances of reaching the final Even the imminent departure of Arsene Wenger couldn’t motivate Arsenal to avoid the late defensive slip-up that gives them a mammoth task at the Wanda Metropolitano next week. The Gunners boss announced that he will be leaving at the end of the season one week before Thursday night’s Europa League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid in north London. Those who expected the surprise announcement would inspire his inconsistent Arsenal side were right, as the Gunners turned in a strong performance for much of the game. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve…

The Argentine coach was sent off just 10 minutes into Thursday’s match after taking exception to Sime Vrsaljko’s expulsion Diego Simeone faces a potential touchline ban following his dismissal in the first leg of Atletico Madrid’s Europa League semi-final with Arsenal. The Atletico boss was sent to the stands in the early stages of an eventful game at Emirates Stadium on Thursday. Having complained to officials following the red card shown to right-back Sime Vrsaljko in the 10th minute, Simeone was ordered to leave his technical area after demanding French referee Clement Turpin book Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already…

The former Red Devils striker is confident that the Portuguese will find a way of nullifying Ajax, while he has also praised “special” Marcus Rashford Jose Mourinho is “a serial winner” and the ideal manager to guide Manchester United towards a brighter future, says Teddy Sheringham. The Portuguese has already delivered Community Shield and EFL Cup success during his first season at the helm and will be taking aim at Europa League glory on Wednesday. Sheringham believes Mourinho will find a way of nullifying Ajax in that contest and adding another trophy to the Old Trafford cabinet. Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final…

Toffees defender Ashely Williams started a fight between players and it did not take long for a supporter to get involved A fight broke out among several Everton and Lyon players during their Europa League game on Thursday after Ashley Williams pushed Anthony Lopes. The Toffees went down 2-1 to the French side at Goodison Park, a result which puts manager Ronald Koeman’s job in further doubt as their poor start to the season continues. 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 centre stage as…

Manchester United secured a passage to the Champions League through European success last season, but the Gunners are still chasing a top-four finish Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will not follow Manchester United’s lead by prioritising Europa League success as a route into the Champions League. Jose Mourinho took the decision in 2016-17 to throw in the towel on a top-four finish and focus on continental glory. That gamble paid off, with the Red Devils back among the European elite despite finishing sixth in the Premier 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…

The young centre-back has a €100 million release clause to his name and has been scouted by a slew of the game’s top sides RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano has dropped the biggest hint yet that he could make a move to one of Europe’s big guns, though he insists that for now he is focused only on his current club. Since leaving France to move to Austria with Red Bull-owned Liefering in 2015-16, he has established himself as one of his side’s standout performers and has attracted a host of big clubs into scouting him. The 19-year-old says that it has long been a “dream” of his to play…

The Hoffenheim boss is refusing to be drawn on rumours linking him to the Bundesliga champions’ vacant job Hoffenheim head coach Julian Nagelsmann has distanced himself from speculation suggesting he could replace Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern Munich. Bayern’s hierarchy reportedly view the 30-year-old as a long-term managerial prospect and the Bundesliga champions could ramp up their interest following the dismissal of Ancelotti on Thursday. Bayern Munich 2/9 to win Bundesliga 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 centre stage as league leaders Liverpool…

Peter Bosz named the talented youngster in his starting XI for the Europa League final against Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt has become the youngest player ever to feature in a major European final on Wednesday, after taking to the field against Manchester United in Stockholm. Man Utd star to miss final due to tattoo The centre-back is just 17 years and 285 days old, and has progressed through the club’s youth ranks. 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 centre stage…

The Gunners are in the quarter-finals European continental competition for the first time since the 2009-10 Champions League Arsenal have finally broken through their last-16 barrier after almost a decade of failed attempts to make the quarter-final stage in European competition. The Gunners defeated AC Milan 3-1 on Thursday, 5-1 on aggregate to advance to the quarter-finals of the Europa League. It marks the first time Arsenal are through to the quarter-finals in Europe since the 2009-10 campaign. 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…

The Atletico Madrid boss singled out the former Chelsea forward for praise following Thursday’s Europa League victory against Sporting CP Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone believes Diego Costa produced his best performance since returning to the club in their 2-0 first-leg win over Sporting CP in the Europa League quarter-final. It was an accomplished display at Wanda Metropolitano, where Atletico saw off the sloppy Portuguese visitors thanks to Koke and Antoine Griezmann on Thursday. Koke scored Atletico’s quickest ever Europa League goal after 22 seconds having been teed up by Costa, while Griezmann was gifted the team’s second late in the first half courtesy of Jeremy Mathieu. Article continues…