Gunners eye next round

– Having made a perfect start to their Europa League campaign, Arsenal can secure a place in the knockout phase with two group games to spare by beating Red Star Belgrade tonight.

The Gunners play host to the 1991 European Cup winners in north London a fortnight after Olivier Giroud’s remarkable late goal secured a 1- 0 win in Belgrade.

Having also got the better of Cologne and BATE Borisov, Arsene Wenger’s side are top of Group H with maximum points and simply avoiding defeat against the Serbian league leaders could be enough for them to progress to the last 32.

For a side growing in confidence after four straight wins in all competitions, another victory should not be too much to ask, even if Wenger (above) will again rotate his squad with one eye on Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.

Everton, the other English side in the competition, are in a rather less favourable position as they head to France to take on Lyon.

Languishing in the relegation zone in the Premier League and without a permanent manager since the sacking of Ronald Koeman last week, the Toffees could be eliminated from Europe tonight.

Such a scenario will arise if they lose and Group E leaders Atalanta avoid defeat in their game against Apollon Limassol.

It has been a miserable continental campaign so far for Everton, who were held at home by Apollon either side of a defeat to Atalanta and a 2-1 home loss to Lyon last month.

However, unbeaten in seven and fresh from four straight wins, Lyon are in formidable form and are determined to go all the way to the final which will be held at their own Groupama Stadium.

Among the other clubs who could secure qualification for the last 32 with two games to spare on Thursday are Dynamo Kiev, Lazio and Zenit St Petersburg. – AFP

Paris