FC Thun 0 Stoke 1

ARSENAL captain Cesc Fabregas was not part of the 19-man squad which travelled to Portugal last night ahead of tonight’s pre-season friendly against Benfica.

Tottenham and Hearts will go head-to-head for a place in this season’s Europa League after being drawn together in today’s play-offs.

Six current and three former players of a Swiss soccer club have been charged with having sex with an under-age girl.

An unlikely double from former Manchester City defender Daniel van Buyten was enough to take Hamburg past FC Thun and into the last 16 of the UEFA Cup.

Stuttgart 1 Middlesbrough 2

MIDDLESBROUGH meet Stuttgart in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

Robin van Persie revealed he is ready to bide his time for a regular first-team place as he prepared to lead the attack against Reading in the Carling Cup tonight.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is set to ring the changes for tomorrow night’s Carling Cup fourth round clash with Reading.

Jens Lehmann and Gilberto are set to return to the Arsenal side for tomorrow’s game against Blackburn at Highbury after resting back and ankle injuries respectively in the midweek victory against FC Thun.

Arsenal will be forced to cope without Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy until at least the new year, with the England full-back now ruled out of action for another six weeks.

FC Thun 0 Arsenal 1

Arsenal had already done the hard work in the Champions League with four straight victories, so it was of little surprise to see them stroll through this 1-0 win over 10-man FC Thun on a bitterly cold night in Switzerland.

Bayern Munich 4 Rapid Vienna 0

Champions League result: FC Thun 0 Arsenal 1.

Group A

FC Thun: Jakupovic, Orman, Hodzic, Deumi, Goncalves, Ferreira, Milicevic, Aegerter, Leandro, Adriano, Lustrinelli. Subs: Portmann, Bernardi, Duruz, Gelson, Spadoto, Faye, Sen.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has every confidence his young Gunners can rise to the challenge of Champions League football against FC Thun tonight.

ARSENE WENGER admits Arsenal are entering a "crucial" stage of their season - and has every confidence the Gunners can continue their improvement over the coming months.

Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal are entering a “crucial” stage of their season - and has every confidence the Gunners can continue their improvement over the coming months.

ROBIN VAN PERSIE says working alongside Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry has helped him develop the “right spirit” to become a major player for Arsenal.

Sol Campbell admits he will never get used to the flak he now receives from some of the White Hart Lane faithful and hopes Tottenham follow through on their promise to ban for life a supporter who directed a tirade of foul-mouthed abuse at him as he left the pitch.

BARCELONA striker Samuel Eto’o scored a stunning hat-trick in a 5-0 Nou Camp demolition of Panathinaikos that put the Catalans on the brink of qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League last night.

DAVID TREZEGUET is looking to pull level with the legendary John Charles in Juventus’ all-time scoring chart in tonight’s Champions League Group A clash against Bayern Munich at the Stadio Delle Alpi.

ROBIN van Persie has proved to Arsene Wenger he is back to his best following a troubled start to the season - but the Dutch youngster could still find himself on the sidelines for the derby clash against Tottenham at the weekend.

Arsene Wenger insisted Arsenal would emerge even stronger from Thierry Henry’s injury absence after proving to themselves they can win without their leading striker.

YOUNG BOYS Bern playmaker Hakan Yakin, recently struggling with a thigh injury, has been omitted from the Switzerland squad for the games against France and the Republic of Ireland.

JUVENTUS have made an excellent start to the Serie A season but coach Fabio Capello insists he is not taking Rapid Vienna lightly ahead of tonight’s Champions League Group A tie.

Arsenal 2 Everton 0

Arsenal 2 Everton 0

Arsene Wenger insists he has no regrets at failing to sign a striker this summer, despite the injury which has ruled out Thierry Henry.

Thierry Henry set his sights on finally putting his persistent groin injury behind him as he revealed he played through the pain barrier at the end of last season.

ARSENE WENGER has set his sights on persuading Thierry Henry to sign a new contract while the striker is ruled out of action for the next month due to injury.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will serve a one-match Champions League ban for his dismissal against FC Thun, UEFA have confirmed.

Arsenal will still be without Thierry Henry for Monday’s clash against Everton, but have no fresh injury worries in the wake of their midweek Champions League victory against FC Thun.

DENNIS BERGKAMP says Robin van Persie has the mental strength to cope with his latest setback but he is ready to make the overland trip to cover for his compatriot's suspension against Ajax.

Dennis Bergkamp insisted Arsenal can cope with their Champions League striker crisis after Robin van Persie joined Thierry Henry on the sidelines for their next tie away to Ajax.

Arsenal 2 FC Thun1

Arsene Wenger criticised the performance of Polish referee Grzegorz Gilewski after striker Robin van Persie was sent off during tonight’s Champions League clash with FC Thun.

Udinese had a night to remember on Wednesday as a Vincenzo Iaquinta hat-trick gave them a 3-0 win over Panathinaikos in their first ever Champions League tie.

Arsenal 2 FC Thun 1

Sol Campbell made his first start of the season to captain Arsenal in their Champions League opener against FC Thun at Highbury.