AFTV News

Who are the sides in Arsenal's Europa League group?  By Jack Lacey-Hatton After coming so close to a UEFA Champions League return at the end of last season, Arsenal have had to settle for a spot in Europe’s secondary competition this time around. Thursday night football may often be the source of ridicule for rival fans, but in truth, the competition is not to be sniffed at. The Europa League not only offers Mikel Arteta a chance to lift some silverware for the second time in his fledgling managerial career. Crucially it presents a direct route to Europe’s elite with the winners guaranteed a berth in the 2022-23 Champions League. Arsenal’s road to a potential final in Budapest’s Puskas Arena starts on Thursday in Group A. Here is the lowdown on the other three sides.   PSV Eindhoven A stalwart in the heyday of European football, Dutch side PSV Eindhoven have serious continental pedigree. Unlike Arsenal, they have previously lifted the European Cup, winning the 1988 final on pe...

Who should be the Arsenal keeper for Thursday night's Europa League semi-final 1st leg against Villarreal? By Andy Baber Stick or twist? That is the question Mikel Arteta must answer. Arsenal face Villarreal on Thursday night in their biggest game of the season as they look to move one step closer to securing their place in the Europa League showpiece. But following Bernd Leno’s embarrassing error last time out as the Gunners lost 1-0 to Everton in the Premier League, is he the right man to have between the sticks? Confidence is key for goalkeepers, a position where every error is magnified tenfold, and the German’s fumble has left Arteta with a decision to make for the first-leg clash in Spain. The prospect of being dumped out of the competition by former boss Unai Emery doesn’t bear thinking about - so should the manager keep faith or roll the dice? FROM HERO TO ZERO Arsenal have struggled in the goalkeeping area for years, with no-one quite able to fill the boots of Jens Lehmann...