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      How Arsenal could line up against Benfica with Thomas Partey making shock return while Rob Holding out with concussion

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      ARSENAL welcome Benfica to the Emirates on Thursday night in the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.
      With the tie poised at 1-1 Mikel Arteta will play a strong team and could welcome Thomas Partey back sooner than first expected.

      Mikel Arteta will play a strong team against Benfica at the Emirates

      The Ghanaian picked up a hamstring injury during the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa in February.
      But having returned to training this week, Arteta revealed he could start against Benfica after a late fitness test.
      The Spaniard said: “Thomas is very close. He’s got a final test today in training.
      “If he’s feeling good, he will be available to play the match.”

      At the back, Arteta will be without Rob Holding after a concussion during Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
      The Arsenal boss added: “Regarding Rob, he’s not available.
      “He had a concussion, we tested him and he’s completely fine but obviously now we need to follow the protocols and he won’t be able to travel.”
      Pablo Mari played alongside Holding at the weekend but Arteta could use Thursday’s match to give Gabriel and David Luiz some game time.

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      Arteta could use the competition to give some fringe players game time

      Emile Smith Rowe should also return to the starting XI after a rest against City.
      But Alexandre Lacazette is expected to be benched again with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in attacking midfield behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
      Nicolas Pepe, Cedric Soares and Mohamed Elneny could also start if Arteta decides to shake things up a little.
      But with the Gunners boss suggesting the Europa League is the only route to Champions League qualification for them this season, he is likely to pick a stronger XI.
      Arteta said: “I think while mathematically everything is possible, in football you have to try so hard.
      “We’re going to do that in the league for sure. It’s true that the Europa League gives you a completely different route and is a competition that we want to carry on playing, and try to win it.
      “Tomorrow is another opportunity to make a step forward.
      “The better we are in the Europa League, the better we’re going to be performing in the league and vice-versa. We need to be alive in both competitions.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Thomas Partey returns to full training at Arsenal More

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      Arsenal in huge boost as Thomas Partey returns to full training ahead of crunch Benfica clash in Europa League

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      THOMAS PARTEY has handed Arsenal a timely boost after returning to full training.
      The powerhouse midfielder has missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury picked up in the 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on February 6.

      Thomas Partey has returned to full training ahead of Thursday’s game with BenficaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the £45million summer signing from Atletico Madrid looks set to return to the side for the Gunners’ Europa League second-leg with Benfica.
      The duo battled out a 1-1 draw in Rome thanks to Bukayo Saka’s away goal.
      Boss Mikel Arteta will need to determine whether Partey is fit enough to start the reverse fixture in Athens on Thursday.
      Arteta will be eager to get his key man match fit knowing that success in the Europa is their most likely route to the Champions League.

      Partey, 27, has shown glimpses of his ability this season but his progress has been hampered by a string of injuries.
      The Ghanian has been limited to nine league starts while featuring just once in Europe.
      He trained individually on Saturday but wasn’t ready to take on Manchester City the following day.
      Partey then joined the rest of his team-mates during the week and Arteta will be hoping he can rely on giving the player a regular run of minutes.

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      Partey picked up a hamstring injury in the defeat at Aston VillaCredit: AFP

      In other team news Arteta is likely to be without defender Rob Holding.
      The centre-back was the Premier League’s first concussion sub against Man City.
      Ahead of Thursday’s match, Arteta said of Holding: “That’s a call that has to be given by the doctor. And that’s the communication that we got with him so we decided to make the concussion sub.
      “That’s what they told me [that Holding had concussion] so if that’s the case he will miss a few days [of training] I think.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Tottenham vs Wolfsberg FREE: Live stream, TV channel, date, kick-off time and team news for Europa League game

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      TOTTENHAM take a near unassailable advantage back to their new stadium for the visit of Austrian side Wolfsberg.
      Spurs won 4-1 in the first leg last week and play the second 24 hours BEFORE the traditional Europa League fixture night of Thursday.

      Gareth Bale and Son Heung-min combined to fire Spurs to a comfortable lead to take back to North LondonCredit: EPA

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      Jose Mourinho is expected to play a few fringe players, especially if the home side get a couple of early goals against the unfancied Austrians.
      What time does Tottenham vs Wolfsberg kick off?
      The game kicks off at 5pm UK time.
      The second leg of the Europa League last-32 tie takes place a day earlier than the other ties in the competition, the same night as Champions League games are on.
      Uefa announced last season they would start putting some Europa League ties on a night earlier – in the time slot before Wednesday Champions League knock-out ties.
      What TV channel is Tottenham vs Wolfsberg on and can I live stream it?
      Tottenham vs Wolfsberg is live on BT Sport 1.
      Coverage commences at 4.30pm – half an hour before kick-off.
      To stream the game live, head to the BT Sport website or app.

      Can I watch Tottenham vs Wolfsberg for free?
      EE customers can get BT Sport INCLUDED to their plan at no extra cost if they are on a plan with Smart Benefits – simply log in to EE and choose BT Sport app.
      And then get it on the big screen by texting SPORT to 150 to get a FREE three-month trial of Large Screen so you can cast all the action on your TV.
      At the end of the three months you will automatically roll onto the £5 per month BT Sport Large Screen subscription unless cancelled.
      Team news
      Jose Mourinho is expected to give Gareth Bale and Dele Alli more game time, despite the pair featuring in their disappointing defeat to West Ham on Sunday.
      Sergie Aurier and Giovanni Lo Celso are injured, but apart from that the Portuguese has a clean bill of health. More

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      Man Utd and other Prem stars in Europe to be forced to self-isolate after matches abroad – except for games and training

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      PREMIER LEAGUE players and staff will have to self-isolate for ten days after returning from a game abroad, according to reports.
      Manchester United and their Prem counterparts will only be allowed out to train and compete under new Government rules sent to top flight clubs on Sunday.

      Man Utd are just one of the Premier League teams likely to be affected by new self-isolation rules when returning from abroadCredit: Reuters

      United, Tottenham, Arsenal, Leicester, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea will all be affected by the new rules revealed by the Athletic as they are still in the Europa League or Champions League.
      And so will players leaving the UK on international duty.
      Club staff were not subject to any restrictions after playing on the continent until now.
      But the new guidelines will see them stuck indoors for ten days apart from training and matches.

      The ten-day isolation period will be halved if a negative Covid result can be provided after five days.
      New signings and managers will also be subject to the new rules if arriving from the continent.
      If they were in place last month, Thomas Tuchel would have had to lock himself away when arriving at Chelsea from France.
      As it was, the German started work straight away.

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      Players will have to isolate for ten-days and will only be allowed out for training and gamesCredit: Reuters

      Breaches of Covid rules can lead to fines of up to £10,000.
      Man Utd, Spurs, Arsenal and Leicester all have home games in the second-legs of their last-32 ties in the Europa League but are all in good shape so will likely be affected by the new rules in the next round.
      Chelsea travel to Atletico in the Champions League on Tuesday while City go to Borussia Monchengladbach Wednesday.
      And Liverpool host RB Leipzig on March 10 having beaten them 2-0 away on Tuesday.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Liverpool eye Lucas Ocampos transfer but £56m release fee for Sevilla winger could be potential stumbling block

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      LIVERPOOL are reportedly interested in signing Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos this summer.
      But the 26-year-old’s £56million release fee could scupper a potential move.

      Ocampos, 26, is one of Sevilla’s finest playersCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      According to Spanish newspaper La Razon, Jurgen Klopp is a fan of the Argentina international.
      Sevilla are said to be keen on selling Ocampos to balance the books, but they want any prospective buyer to activate his release clause.
      The winger scored 14 goals in LaLiga last season but has managed just three so far this term.
      He joined Sevilla in 2019 having previously played for River Plate, Monaco, Marseille, Genoa and AC Milan.

      Ocampos scored an 88th-minute winner against Wolves in the Europa League quarter-final last season before helping Sevilla beat Inter Milan in the final.
      Liverpool are always on the look out for new forwards with stars Sadio Mane and Mo Salah constantly linked with moves.
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      The 2020 Fifpro world XI includes four Liverpool stars, as well as Messi, Ronaldo and Lewandowski
      And it hasn’t been an easy season so far for Mane or Roberto Firmino, who have managed just 13 league goals between them.

      If the Premier League champions wish to proceed with signing Ocampos, they may use Takumi Minamino as leverage.
      The Japanese star, who is currently on loan at Southampton, has been linked with a £9m summer move to Sevilla.
      Minamino has made just 19 Premier League appearances for the Reds since his move from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020.

      He scored in Southampton’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea earlier today.
      And Minamino may not be the only player leaving this summer, with German legend Lothar Matthaus urging Thiago to return to Bayern Munich.
      The Spain international has struggled at Liverpool, with former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger criticising his role in the team.
      Liverpool are also rumoured to be interested in Torino defender Bremer, who could cost less than £10m.

      Wenger criticises Liverpool over Thiago transfer and says signing of ‘technical’ player has ‘destroyed’ midfield balance More

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      Watch hilarious moment confused pizza delivery kid turns up at Molde clash with Hoffenheim in middle of match

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      A CONFUSED looking pizza delivery driver gatecrashed Molde’s Europa League with Hoffenheim on Thursday night.
      The hilarious moment was caught on camera in the 20th minute of the game in Villarreal, Spain.

      A pizza delivery driver turned up at Molde’s Europa League game with HoffenheimCredit: BT Sport

      The lost looking lad popped up pitchside with the match in full wingCredit: BT Sport

      Hoffenheim ace Mijat Gaćinović was down injured and being treated by physios.
      His side were already 1-0 up thanks to Mu’nas Dabbur’s opener.
      Ref Stephanie Frappart was overseeing proceedings and suddenly the fast food courier appeared at her shoulder.
      The masked man was carrying two pizza boxes and a bottle of Coke.

      He strolled confidently out of the dark and immediately stopped as he was drenched by floodlight and slowly realised what he had done.
      The baffled bloke – who appeared to have a security pass around his neck – looked side to side as he realised he had stuffed up.
      Dabbur scored again around nine minutes later before Molde pulled one back through Martin Ellingsen.
      Christoph Baumgartner restored Hoffenheim’s lead on the stroke of half time but the Germans fell to pieces after the break as Eirik Andersen and David Fofana earned the Norwegians a 3-3 draw in the last-32 tie.

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      It appears he might have taken a wrong turn on his journeyCredit: BT Sport

      It remains unclear whether someone in the stadium had ordered the Italian feast or the man’s SatNav had made him take a wrong turn.
      Fans found the footage hilarious as it surfaced online.
      The original clip received more than 1,000 likes and 270 retweets.
      Billy simply called him a hero while Nikki wrote: “Hahahahah, Thursday pizza?”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Amad Diallo has ‘unreal talent’ beams Paul Scholes after Man Utd whizkid makes debut against Real Sociedad

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      AMAD DIALLO has ‘unreal talent’ after making his Manchester United debut, according to Paul Scholes.
      The whizkid came off the bench during United’s 4-0 win at Real Sociedad in the Europa League Thursday night and legendary Red Devils midfielder Scholes was delighted with what he saw.

      Amad Diallo has unreal talent, according to Man Utd legend Paul ScholesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Scholes was working as a pundit and was delighted with the youngster’s debutCredit: Getty – Contributor

      A Bruno Fernandes brace and goals from Marcus Rashford and Dan James saw United take the advantage into the second-leg.
      Diallo was signed by United last October from Serie A club Atalanta, where he remained on loan until January.
      He played just seven minutes on Thursday after replacing Mason Greenwood in the 83rd minute.
      But that was enough for Scholes who has been watching him for the youth team.

      Speaking on pundit duty, Scholes said: “We didn’t see much of him tonight.
      “He looks a talented player. I watched the Under-23s last week. He scored a goal and made a couple of goals.
      “He’s got unreal talent, a nice left foot. Is he quick? I’m not too sure I haven’t seen that yet.
      “Creative player, very young at 18. Give him time and hopefully he can do.”

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      Scholes also heaped praise on Dean Henderson who stepped in ahead of David De Gea and kept a clean sheet.
      There have been growing calls for the Englishman to replace De Gea in the Premier League too and Scholes would like to see him given a chance.
      He added: “Yeah I would [like to see a run of games].
      “I’m a big fan of David. The game against Everton, where David made a couple of mistakes, I thought Ole might have lost patience with him and that was the time to bring Henderson in.
      “But he didn’t. He stuck to David to his credit. He did OK against West Brom and West Ham in the cup.
      “Henderson didn’t have a lot to do. He hasn’t had much of a chance to impress.
      “He made a save in the first half. He’s got to stick with it.
      “Ole must know he’s a quality keeper but does he have the trust in him that he’s better than David De Gea at the minute?
      “I don’t think he does. Because with the mistakes David made he would have been in if he had full trust in him.”
      ‘DANGEROUS TEAM’
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted with his team’s showing after the match and said: “We scored some good goals and played some nice football.
      “We deserved to win but maybe not by four goals. On a night like this when we find spaces we can be a dangerous team.
      “We had to defend well, they have some terrific players up front and we earned the right to counter-attack quickly. They opened up and we got the spaces we wanted.
      “Every team attacks you, it’s about finding the moments to find the space.
      “We are a work in progress, we are learning and some games we have not been able to win lately.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Arsenal skipper Aubameyang admits letting side down with missed chances but hails Saka after Benfica draw

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      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has admitted that he should have done better with his chances in the 1-1 draw with Benfica.
      And the Gunners skipper has also lavished praise upon team-mate Bukayo Saka.

      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 31, looks on after squandering a great chanceCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS

      The Gunners skipper celebrates with teen star Bukayo SakaCredit: PA:Press Association

      Arsenal travelled to Rome to face Benfica in the Europa League round of 32 first leg this evening, earning a 1-1 draw in the process.
      But it could have been so much better, had Aubameyang, 31, converted one of his many golden chances.
      The most glaring came in the 19th minute, when he somehow side-footed Hector Bellerin’s square ball wide from seven yards.
      After the match, he tweeted: “We deserved better and I should score couple goals today but still one game to go we keep going.

      “Well done Bukayo Saka.”
      Benfica took the lead through Pizzi from the penalty spot, after Emile Smith Rowe was penalised for handball.
      But Saka, 19, made no mistake from Cedric Soares’ square just two minutes later to equalise.
      Aubameyang might have given his side the lead in the 63rd minute, only to lash a low, right-footed effort beyond the far post.

      Aubameyang congratulates Saka on TwitterCredit: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Twitter
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      After the match, Saka told BT Sport: “We had a lot of chances and we’re frustrated.
      “We dominated the game and they just had a lucky penalty, which I don’t think should have been given.
      “However, it’s not the worst result and we have got an away goal.”
      Arsenal will host Manchester City on Sunday in the Premier League, before renewing hostilities with Benfica in their ‘home’ leg next Thursday in Piraeus, Greece.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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