Roberto Martinez on Garry Monk and Swansea: "I am a big admirer of what Garry Monk has done at Swansea, I do not see another manager who has had such a big influence over the last three seasons. 

"The team play with a strong philosophy, they are always competitive and in their last game they deserved to beat a team like Manchester United. It speaks volumes of where they are and where they can go. With Garry I feel many good things can happen to Swansea."

Image source, Getty Images

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has been speaking to the media ahead of their game at Swansea on Saturday. There's some good news on the injury front.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez is in place and we are ready for his news conference ahead of the Toffees visit to Swansea on Saturday.

Stoke City and England goalkeeper Jack Butland is definitely #upforthecup...

Image source, Getty

One day to go. The Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday and fans of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland will be among those cheering their sides on.

Excited? Nervous? Got the flags out? We want to see your pictures of preparations for the big tournament. Tweet #upforthecup, external or comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external page.

Don't be shy. Show your support. And feel free to get involved with other events, be it the Davis Cup tennis or your local football competition.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez scored for Bayer Leverkusen as the German side beat BATE Borisov 4-1.

Elsewhere Bayern Munich got their Champions League campaign under way with a comfortable 3-0 win over Olympiakos.

Vitali Buyalsky grabbed a last-minute equaliser for Dynamo Kiev as they drew 2-2 with Porto.

Striker Hulk scored twice for Russian side Zenit St Petersburg in their 3-2 victory at Valencia, with Champions League debutants Gent and French side Lyon drew 1-1.

Following Alessandro Florenzi's 60-yard goal for Roma against Barcelona on Wednesday night, Stoke were quick to suggest Charlie Adam's effort from inside his own half against Chelsea last season may have been better.

The club tweeted...

To which Roma cheekily replied...

Image source, Reuters

Here's a familiar sight to Chelsea fans.

The blues' all-time top scorerFrank Lampardopened his account for New York City during a 2-0 win over Toronto.

Lampard was making his fifth appearance since joining America's Major League Soccer.

Image source, Getty Images

Take a bow Roma's Alessandro Florenzi.

The full-back scored arguably the goal of the night in the Champions League, a 60-yard strike against defending Champions Barcelona.

The Italy international collected the ball in his own half, before unleashing an effort which floated over Marc-Andre ter Stegen and into the net.

 Luis Suarez had given Barcelona an early lead and the game finished 1-1.

Image source, AFP

Following his side's defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed his side were 'a bit unlucky.'

 "I believe the first goal is offside and after the sending off is very harsh," said Wenger.  

But he still believes Arsenal will qualify rom the group stages.

 "Overall, I believe we have problems to start in every competition this season. But I am confident we can put that right in the next five [Champions League group] games."  

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal got off to the worst possible start in the Champions League with a 2-1 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.

The Gunners went behind through an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal before Olivier Giroud was sent off for a second booking when he fouled Ivo Pinto before Junior Fernandes headed in for Dinamo.

Theo Walcott gave Arsenal hope with a late goal but Dinamo held on to beat an English top-flight side for the first time in the Champions League.  

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have made their worst league start in nearly 30 years, but they put their domestic woes to one side with a 4-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho dropped John Terry, Nemanja Matic, Diego Costa and Branislav Ivanovic from the starting line-up and Eden Hazard missed an early penalty.

But goals from Willian, Oscar, Cesc Fabregas and a beauty from Costa sealed the win. Next up for Jose Mourinho's side...a lunchtime kick-off against Arsenal.

Image source, The Sun

Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League leads many of the back pages. 

An Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal and a red card for Olivier Giroud compounded a terrible night for Arsene Wenger.

Image source, Getty Images

Good morning and welcome to Thursday.

Chelsea became the only English team to begin the Champions League with a win on Wednesday night, while Arsenal's nightmare in Croatia saw them join Manchester United and Manchester City in making a losing start to the competition.

We are one day out from the Rugby World Cup and will be hearing from head coach Stuart Lancaster later this morning, ahead of Friday's opener against Fiji.

Roberto Martinez and Slaven Bilic will be among the Premier League managers facing the press today ahead of the weekend's games and we will also have build up to Liverpool and Celtic's Europa League ties.

But first the papers, and if you are an Arsenal fan it does not make pretty reading.

Image source, Getty Images