The 26-year-old will make his Gunners debut in the Europa League on Thursday as he begins his bid to become the Unai Emery’s first-choice goalkeeper There is a 10-year age gap between Petr Cech and Bernd Leno, but it has not prevented the former from retaining his status as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper. The 36-year-old Cech has been asked to adapt his style to Unai Emery’s demands, who wants the Gunners to play out from the back. Cech’s statistics show he has progressed with each game, as he has one of the best pass accuracy rates of any No.1 in the Premier League (71.1 per cent), as well as the most touches of…

The winners from the first round of games go head-to-head in the first of two Austria vs Scotland clashes on Thursday Slowly but surely, Celtic have moved away from crisis over the last fortnight. Wins over St Johnstone and Aberdeen, though unconvincing, have seen Brendan Rodgers’ men begin to stabilise themselves after a difficult start to the season. However, they are aware that scrutiny will again be cast on them if they suffer defeat against a Red Bull Salzburg side that made it all the way to the Europa League semi-finals last year.  The Hoops got off to a winning start in Europe, albeit via another single-goal success, this time…

The Blues boss was understandably asked to weigh in on the recent controversy surrounding members of the club’s support Maurizio Sarri condemns the alleged racist abuse of Raheem Sterling by Chelsea supporters but wants the club’s main focus to be on Thursday’s clash with Vidi. The Blues visit Budapest this week for their final Europa League group match, having already secured qualification to the last 32 in top spot. It will be Chelsea’s first game since their 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge last Saturday, during which Sterling was allegedly the target of racist shouts from some fans in the home section. Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi…

The Italian giants will be unable to take up their place in the upcoming Europa League, although they have the right to appeal to CAS AC Milan have been banned from participating in European competition next season due to a contravention of Financial Fair Play, UEFA have confirmed. The Rossoneri finished in sixth in last season’s Serie A campaign, gaining a spot in the Europa League group stage for 2018-19.  But according to UEFA, the Italians have fallen foul of FFP laws and will not be able to take up their spot.  Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter Sarri vindicated for…

After seeing the Reds go down 2-0 in Belgrade, Kovacic believes the Blues cannot take their next opponents for granted Chelsea should take caution from Liverpool’s shock defeat to Red Star Belgrade when the Londoners take on BATE Borisov on Thursday, according to Mateo Kovacic.  The Blues currently boast a perfect record in their Europa League campaign, having won all three of their encounters in Group L.  BATE, meanwhile, lie rock bottom of their group, with just one point from a possible nine.  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…

Sarri’s side have a perfect Europa League record this term and could confirm their spot in the last 32 should they claim victory over the Belarusians Chelsea have the opportunity to secure their spot in the knockout phase of the Europa League on Thursday should they win away at BATE Borisov, having won the first leg 3-1 at home. Maurizio Sarri’s side have progressed through the group stage of the European competition with ease, having registered three wins in three games, conceding just one goal. The manager can afford to rest star player Eden Hazard once again as the Belgian recovers from an injury he picked up a couple of…

Chelsea will make changes against PAOK on Thursday, but the Blues highly rated youngsters are unlikely to be beneficiaries. Maurizio Sarri expects to make changes for Chelsea’s Europa League opener at PAOK, but hinted young players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ethan Ampadu and Callum Hudson-Odoi are unlikely to feature. Much has been made of Loftus-Cheek’s Chelsea situation in recent months, as he impressed on loan at Crystal Palace last term and forced his way into England’s World Cup squad. He was tipped to become a rotation option at Chelsea upon his return to Stamford Bridge, but he has played just 33 minutes of Premier League football across two cameo appearances…

Istanbul Basaksehir lie in wait for the Clarets in the third qualifying round, while five-time champions Sevilla have an easier draw against Ujpest Burnley’s hopes of reaching the Europa League group stage for the first time received a blow as Monday’s draw for the third qualifying round pit them against Istanbul Basaksehir, if they can get past Aberdeen. Sean Dyche’s men were the surprise package of the Premier League last term as they managed to finish seventh, securing a return to European football after a 51-year absence. They have to defeat Aberdeen in the second qualifying round, but should they succeed, Burnley will face the side that finished third, just three points behind…

Unai Emery’s men will be aiming to continue their unbeaten run and put themselves into the hat for the last 32 of the tournament Arsenal can book their place in the knockout stage of the Europa League on Thursday by beating Sporting at the Emirates Stadium. Since losing to Manchester City and Chelsea in August, the Gunners have not been beaten and are currently top of Group E having won all three of their games in the competition thus far. They come into the match having recently played out a tense 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League, but they hold an edge over the Portuguese side having beaten them…

The Premier League side enter the next stage of Europa League and will visit the Turkish team in the first leg Premier League side Burnley face Turkey’s Istanbul Basaksehir in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round match. Burnley are the away side for the opener and will be hoping for a win to boost their chances of qualifying after the reverse fixture at Turf Moor on Thursday August 16. The Istanbul club just missed out on the Turkish Super Lig title last season and will offer the sternest test for Sean Dyche’s men so far in the European competition. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may…