Teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold enjoyed an extra-special European debut with a brilliant free-kick to set Liverpool on their way to a 2-1 victory in their Champions League play-off first leg against Hoffenheim.

With Chelsea forging clear in the Premier League, James Whelan casts his eye over the pacesetters and chasing packs in Europe’s top flight competitions.

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia.

Team news from the Hawthorns sees Pedro thrown in for his Chelsea debut.

Jack Wilshere will miss key games for Arsenal and England after being ruled out for “a few weeks” with an ankle injury, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has said.

When Aaron Ramsey hit the post in the late stages of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final, I’m sure I wasn’t the only Gooner wondering if it might be destined not to be our day.

Britain’s world and European indoor champion Richard Kilty is willing to bet £30,000 he would beat Arsenal pair Hector Bellerin and Theo Walcott in a sprint race.

Arsenal have Kieran Gibbs back in their first XI and record signing Mesut Ozil on the bench for the Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1

Club-record signing Mesut Ozil has been left out of the Arsenal squad for today’s Barclays Premier League clash against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.

Kieran Gibbs is out of for Saturday’s Premier League game against Sunderland.

Midfielder Mikel Arteta is suspended and will miss out as Arsenal tackle holders Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday night at the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool 5 Arsenal 1

Arsenal expect to have England midfielder Jack Wilshere back from an ankle problem against Liverpool on Saturday.

Southampton 2 Arsenal 3

Juan Mata has been handed his first Manchester United start for their Barclays Premier League encounter with Cardiff – and Robin van Persie returned too as David Moyes’ men looked to kick-start their season.

Arsenal 4 Coventry 0

Arsenal 2 Fulham 0

Arsenal 2 Fulham 0

Arsenal expect to discover on Tuesday the full extent of Theo Walcott’s knee problem, but the England forward will not face any disciplinary action from the Football Association for his ’2-0’ gesture towards Tottenham fans

Teenager Serge Gnabry is confident he can have an impact for Arsenal this season.

Arsenal 2 Tottenham 0

Premier League leaders Arsenal will be without striker Olivier Giroud (ankle) and Kieran Gibbs (calf) for the New Year’s Day game against Cardiff.

Santi Cazorla was Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s only change for the London derby with West Ham.

Arsenal will be without midfielder Jack Wilshere as he completes a two-match suspension during Thursday’s game at West Ham.

Arsenal will have midfielder Mathieu Flamini back from suspension for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Marseille at the Emirates Stadium.

Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal will have forward Theo Walcott back from two months out following abdominal surgery for the visit of Southampton.

Robin van Persie returned to the Manchester United starting line-up as David Moyes’ men took on the Dutchman’s former club Arsenal.

It says it all about the two clubs’ respective approaches to youth development that Chelsea’s least experienced player in tonight’s Capital One Cup tie will have played in a Champions League final, while Arsenal’s has made just a solitary professional appearance for his club.

Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 2

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere (ankle) will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.

It is not hard to imagine Borussia Dortmund as Arsenal’s brash, over-achieving younger brother.

Arsenal will rest midfielder Mathieu Flamini following a concussion for Tuesday night’s Champions League Group F clash against Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium.

Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal expect Mesut Ozil to have recovered from a knee injury in time to face Norwich tomorrow.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Swansea 1 Arsenal 2

West Brom 1Arsenal 1AET (Arsenal win 4-3 on pens)

Arsenal 3 Stoke 1

French winger Serge Gnabry has taken Theo Walcott's place in a late change for Arsenal against Stoke.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger named an unchanged starting XI for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash against Stoke, where club-record signing Mesut Ozil made his home debut as the Gunners aimed to go top of the table.

Sunderland 1 Arsenal 3

Arsenal are without midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for tonight’s crucial Champions League play-off first leg away to Fenerbahce.

Arsenal’s England trio Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all start this afternoon’s opening Barclays Premier League game against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.