The enduring fracas between Chelsea and Diego Costa has claimed its first casualty as Spain National football team coach, Julen Lopetegui has handed David Villa, a place in his squad for the world cup qualifiers against Italy and Liechtenstein at the expense of Diego Costa. Villa who is Spain's all-time top scorer with 59 goals in 97 appearances currently plays for New York City FC in Major League Soccer.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has reportedly turned down a new deal to remain in Arsenal, following growing interest from Chelsea and Liverpool. According to Sky Sports, Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger held talks with the England midfielder on Thursday in a bid to persuade him to stay at the Emirate. He was also offered a new £180k-a-week deal.
Manchester United's big money signing, Paul Pogba has been named the winner of the Europa League Player of the Season award for 2016/2017. The player who grabbed the award during a gala ceremony organized a day after the Champions League draw in Monaco, played a significant role by assisting Manchester United to win the Europa Cup for the first time after defeating Ajax in the finals of the competition.
Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho has ruled out Zlatan Ibrahimovic from the UEFA Champions League group stage matches citing fitness. According to Sky Sports, Mourinho believes that Ibrahimovic, who re-signed for the club on a one-year deal this week, will not be fit for the early stages of the Champions League but will play a vital role if the club reach the knock-out stages.
The 2017/18 UEFA Europa League group stage draw which was concluded on Friday at Monaco, saw 48 teams from 29 countries drawn into 12 groups for the battle to Lyon which will host the final on May 16, 2018.
The UEFA Europa League group stage draw on Friday has pitched Arsenal against make weight and little-known teams from Belarus and Serbia The Gunners, who are making an unsavoury return to Europa league since the final loss to Galatasaray in 2000, will play FC BATE Borisov of Belarus, Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade and German side FC Cologne.
