The England internaitonal struck the only goal to beat Sporting and secure an 11th straight win for the Gunners in Lisbon As Arsenal touched down in Lisbon ahead of Thursday’s night’s clash with Sporting, the Gunners posted a video on social media of their last training session before leaving north London. A six minute clip showcased a squad in high spirits after 10 successive wins; confident in their ability to get the job done no matter what the data might suggest. One man who took centre stage during the session was Danny Welbeck, finishing with unerring accuracy past young goalkeeper Dejan Iliev. Fast-forward 24 hours, and Welbeck was wheeling away…

The starlet has become the youngest goalscorer for the club since Oxlade-Chamberlain after netting against Qarabag in the Europa League Arsenal youngster Emile Smith Rowe has become the Gunners’ second-youngest goalscorer in a competitive fixture after netting in their 3-0 win over Qarabag in the Europa League on Thursday evening. It is the first competitive goal for Arsenal scored by the 18-year-old, who has been at Arsenal’s Hale End Academy since 2010. His strike against Qarabag makes him the youngest player to score for Arsenal after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal against Olympiakos (aged 18 years and 43 days) in September 2011. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have…

The France international playmaker says he has recovered from a muscle problem and is available to face Atletico Madrid in Lyon on Wednesday Marseille star Dimitri Payet thinks he is ready to play in the Europa League final on Wednesday, despite concerns over an injury. The 31-year-old was left out of the 3-3 Ligue 1 draw with Guingamp last Friday as a precaution after picking up a muscle problem. Payet had acknowledged he would need to be careful in his recovery, insisting there were no guarantees he would be fully fit for the showdown with Atletico Madrid in Lyon. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already…

A well-publicised row with Sarri’s successor almost led to the Brazilian leaving Chelsea, but he is much more settled under the ex-Napoli man Willian is thrilled to be playing under Maurizio Sarri after coming close to leaving Stamford Bridge following a row with former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. The Blues start their Europa League campaign at PAOK on Thursday having won their first five Premier League games under Conte’s replacement. Willian made no secret of the breakdown in his relationship with Conte, previously saying there was “no chance” he would have stayed at the club had the Italian not left. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi…

The midfielder has spoken of the unusual refusal his manager makes to ensure Chelsea’s unbeaten run continues Jorginho has revealed that Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is so superstitious that he will never touch the Blues’ match ball, believing it would bring his side bad luck. The Italian manager has a reputation for being particularly wary of unwittingly cursing his sides, and the midfielder says that this includes a refusal to have any contact with match balls. Speaking to Chelsea TV, he said: “It’s really easy to understand him you know. The way he seems – that’s how he is. He has no secrets. He’s a simple guy. He has his…

The midfielder outpaced his career output with the Blues in just 53 minutes on the field in Belarus It took Ruben Loftus-Cheek eight minutes to equal his goal output for his Chelsea career. It took him 53 minutes to surpass it. The England international stepped up to deliver a hat-trick in the Blues’ 3-1 Europa League victory with Belorussian side BATE on Thursday, and in the process more than doubled his goal output for the club. Loftus-Cheek has long struggled to find a place with Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and now Maurizio Sarri despite tantalising potential. Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for…

The two Glasgow giants are on a tightrope in Europe, with little room for error as they go into their final matches – here’s what they need to do Both Rangers and Celtic head into the final group games of the Europa League with their future uncertain. The two Scottish giants have enjoyed strong campaigns to date, with the Ibrox club having suffered only a single defeat from their five matches, while the Hoops have responded impressively when they have had their backs against the wall. Both teams have their destiny in their own hands ahead of final fixtures that will see the Gers travel to Austria to face Rapid…

The goalkeeper put in one of his best displays on Thursday night as his side were made to work for a win in the Europa League Kepa Arrizabalaga is enjoying life at Chelsea since his £71 million ($93) move from Athletic Club in the summer, but admits that he still is adapting to the physicality of the English game. The young goalkeeper just turned 24-years-old the day before Chelsea’s 1-0 win over MOL Vidi at Stamford Bridge, where he made a few big saves to avoid seeing his side upset by one of the minnows of the Europa League. The £71m fee is a world record for a goalkeeper and Kepa…

Only a win will do for the Gers as they aim to keep their Europa League adventure going into 2019 Steven Gerrard will take his Rangers side to face Rapid Vienna at the Allianz Stadion on Thursday, aware that a win would carry them into the last 32 of the Europa League. To simply reach the group stage of the competition was something of a victory for the Glasgow club, but they have more than held their own in a competitive pool and stand just 90 minutes from qualification. Last time out, they showed their mettle against Villarreal by securing a 0-0 home draw, despite being reduced to 10 men…

Goal looks at the players who have created the most chances in the top five European leagues this season Getty Images #20 Lucas Perez | 77 chances created Lucas Perez is still technically an Arsenal player, but has enjoyed an impressive season out on loan at Deportivo La Coruna as he waits to learn more about his long-term future after Arsene Wenger's departure from the Emirates Stadium. Getty Images #19 Alexis Sanchez | 77 chances created Sanchez has had his critics this season due to his reduced goal contribution at both Arsenal and Manchester United, but he has created 77 chances this season, The Chilean also missed nine games in the Premier…