Assistant referee Fredrik Klyver had to be replaced after he was hit by a cup during the Austrian side’s Europa League defeat to AEK Larnaca Sturm Graz issued an apology after the assistant referee sustained a cut to the head in their Europa League tie against AEK Larnaca and said the person responsible has been caught. Fredrik Klyver appeared to be struck by a cup thrown from the crowd during Thursday’s tie at Merkur Arena, leading to a long delay as he received treatment. The teams were taken off the field by referee Mohammed Al-Hakim and, when they emerged, Klyver had been replaced by the fourth official. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on…

The French defender is set for a first Gunners appearance since May, having been out with a serious injury Laurent Koscielny will make his first senior Arsenal appearance of the season on Thursday against Qarabag in the Europa League following an Achilles injury, Unai Emery has confirmed. French defender Koscielny ruptured his Achilles tendon during Arsenal’s Europa League semi-final second-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid in May. The injury subsequently robbed him of a place in France’s World Cup-winning campaign, while he has yet to feature for Arsenal’s first-team since Emery took over from Arsene Wenger. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his…

The shot-stopper has spoken about a lack of game time since joining the Gunners, but his coach was impressed with his debut on Thursday evening Bernd Leno has been promised more starting opportunities by Arsenal boss Unai Emery after the goalkeeper aired his frustrations over a lack of playing time. Following his reported €22 million (£19.8m/$25.8m) move from Bayer Leverkusen in July, Leno made his Gunners debut in Thursday’s 4-2 Europa League win over Vorskla. Although many expected the German’s arrival would see Petr Cech’s position usurped, Emery has stuck with the 36-year-old in the Premier League. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played…

The Frenchman insists that his battle for supremacy with the Spanish striker will help the Blues win trophies this season Olivier Giroud believes that the competition between him and Alvaro Morata will help Chelsea fight for silverware in the coming months. The veteran striker, 31, made his first start of the 2018-19 Premier League campaign on Saturday against Cardiff City and impressed leading the line in a 4-1 victory. The France international, who became a World Cup winner this summer, provided two assists and was heavily involved in the team’s build-up play throughout as the Blues secured their fifth successive win. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi…

The former Red Devils ace was stretchered off during the Gunners’ 0-0 draw with Sporting CP in the Europa League Manchester United have rallied behind Danny Welbeck after the Arsenal forward suffered another setback through injury. The England international was stretchered off during the Gunners’ 0-0 draw with Sporting CP in the Europa League on Thursday. Arsenal boss Unai Emery revealed after the match that the club fear Welbeck has sustained a “very big injury” to his ankle. 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…

The Blues get their continental campaign started in Greece, with the ultimate prize of a place in next year’s Champions League the main goal Maurizio Sarri will lead Chelsea into battle in Europe for the first time on Thursday when they take on Greek outfit PAOK in their first game of the Europa League. The Blues are competing in UEFA’s second-tier club competition this term after failing to secure a Champions League finish in the Premier League last term. They have been drawn alongside Belarusian side BATE Borisov and Hungary’s MOL Vidi as well as PAOK and will be aiming to get off on the right foot with three points.…

UEFA has banned the Russian outfit from European competitions after breaking a “settlement agreement” relating to Financial Fair Play regulations Rubin Kazan have been banned from participating in the next UEFA club competition they qualify for over the course of the coming two seasons. UEFA confirmed the punishment in a statement on Thursday, ruling Russian club Rubin will not be allowed to compete in either the Europa League or Champions League for a single season should they qualify this term or next. Europe’s governing body has taken action for Rubin breaking a “settlement agreement”. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final…

Unai Emery’s side are aiming to preserve their long undefeated record, having already secured top spot in Europa League Group E Arsenal will complete their Europa League Group E campaign with an encounter against Qarabag at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday. Unai Emery proved himself a master in this competition with Sevilla, winning it on three successive occasions, and the Gunners boss has negotiated the pool stage with no problems at all. The London side have four wins from five matches , with the sole blip a draw against Sporting CP , and go into their clash with the group’s bottom club with the expectation of making it five in…

The England international forward is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with his current Gunners deal also running down Arsenal have been urged to make a “magnificent gesture” to Danny Welbeck and hand the forward a new contract after confirming that he has suffered a “significant ankle injury”. The England international picked up an unfortunate knock during a Europa League clash with Sporting. The Gunners have confirmed that the 27-year-old remains in hospital and is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. 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…

The former Arsenal goalkeeper feels a key performer went missing again at Atletico Madrid, while the club’s right-back has lost the ability to defend Mesut Ozil has been told by Arsenal legend David Seaman that he has “turn up more often”, while Hector Bellerin has been accused of losing the ability to defend. Both men disappointed for the Gunners on Thursday as they suffered a 1-0 defeat away at Atletico Madrid to crash out of the Europa League. Having exited that competition at the semi-final stage, Arsene Wenger is now destined to walk from a post he has occupied for 22 years empty-handed and without Champions League qualification. Article continues…