West Ham United

West Ham boss David Moyes on the team news before his side's first Europa League game of the season:

"We've got everybody available, everybody fit and ready to play. Edson Alvarez is suspended. He's still getting used to the Premier League but he's fine and fit and healthy."

West Ham United

More from West Ham's Tomas Soucek on the demands of playing Thursday-Sunday:

"I feel this squad may be the strongest I've played with at West Ham. It's different type of players but we all have individual qualities, and this makes a great squad.

"With the quality of these players and our mentality, it's certainly one of the best I've known since being here.

"I like to be a leader, like I try to be for the Czech Republic. I've been here a while now and I like to help other players both on and off the pitch. As the years go on, I'm here longer and longer, and I think with that my place is higher in that regard.

"My behaviour is the same though - I just want to be helpful. But, being a leader, it's not about how long you are here. It's about your helpfulness."

West Ham United

Tomas Soucek on Thursday's Europa League game:

"We're very excited. We all remember last year and how good the tournament was. We still remember the final in Prague and we're happy to go again. Everyone is excited for the Europa League to start again tomorrow.

"We want to enjoy another year because we are enjoying European football. We get more games and are playing almost every Thursday and Sunday, and the people love it. We as players love it too. Our first game is tomorrow and we want to play in all them."

West Ham United

David Moyes and Tomas Soucek are speaking to the media ahead of West Ham's first European game of 2023-24. The Hammers face Serbian side Backa Topola in the Europa League on Thursday (20:00 BST).

George Cummins
BBC Radio 5 live

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It will be a step up for the manager pitching his football brain against Europe's elite. And a step up for some of his Arsenal players too.

However, Mikel Arteta does have five very experienced players who have gone deep into the competition (Thomas Partey, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Jorginho) to call on, and he did play in it.

The group has been kind. Arsenal should qualify having been paired with PSV Eindhoven, Lens and Sevilla. The true test will be whether they can reach the very late stages.

Gabriel Jesus said the players are so excited by the club's return to Europe’s premier club competition that they have been playing the tune in the gym.

There’s not long to wait until they can listen to it with their fans.

Sheddy7: I genuinely don't understand the stick Ole gets for his time as manager. OK, he narrowly missed out on a trophy but his league record is as good - if not better - than anyone else managed post Sir Alex. Man Utd were definitely a better watch than under Van Gaal or Mourinho too. Shows how tough a job it is and he made a decent fist of it for a couple of seasons.

Arsenal

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Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus says the Gunners must believe they can win the Champions League as they prepare to face PSV Eindhoven.

Jesus is one of the most experienced players at Champions League level in the Gunners squad, having scored 20 goals in the competition for Manchester City.

"Yesterday some of them were joking in the gym and putting on the [Champions League] music," Jesus said in his pre-match press conference.

"I think everyone is happy, the club, the players, the fans because it's a long time since we played in this competition. Now Arsenal are back.

"A club like Arsenal cannot stay without playing this competition."

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Alex A: What Manchester United would give now for second in the league and a Europa final. Erik ten Hag is a very good manager but even he can’t stop the rot.

George Cummins
BBC Radio 5 live

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It’s been a long time for Arsenal. For six years they have been out of the Champions League but later on Wednesday they will hear the anthem once again and realise they are back in the big time.

It been a long journey since their last match in the competition at home to Bayern Munich in March 2017.

Arsene Wenger has left. Unai Emery has come and gone. And there has been a complete overhaul of the squad.

In 2022, Tottenham hunted the Gunners down to claim the final Champions League spot on the last day of the season.

Arsenal stuck with Mikel Arteta and he has been given patience and money to rebuild the squad.

Draxx: Solskjaer should name names. Surely every manager has problem players that aren't as good as they think they are. And when those players are not used to the best of their ability, they make the club look bad and hence the manager look bad.

Arsenal

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A huge night ahead for Arsenal as they get ready to return to the Champions League stage after a six-year absence.

Mikel Arteta's side face early Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven - the first time Emirates Stadium has hosted a game in the competition since March 2017.

"We've been fighting for it," said Arteta, who takes charge of a Champions League game for the first time.

"I've played in a few for the club and I have beautiful memories about them."

Read more here.

Number9: Manchester United know how to buy players but have no idea how to build a team. Heading for £2bn spent since Fergie but still complain about the owners support for the manager.

The full Tottenham statement on Ivan Perisic's injury:

"We can confirm that Ivan Perisic has suffered a complex Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee. The experienced Croatia international sustained the injury in non-contact training and will undergo surgery.

"Ivan will then commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff and is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season."

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham says Ivan Perisic is "expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season".

Tottenham Hotspur

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More on Ivan Perisic. Tottenham announced the signing of the Inter Milan winger on a two-year deal in 2022. He joined on a free transfer when his contract with Inter expired.

He has played 39 Premier League games, scoring one goal and providing nine assists.

Perisic turns 35 next February.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham announce Ivan Perisic is to undergo surgery after suffering a "complex anterior cruciate ligament injury" in his right knee. The experienced Croatia international sustained the injury in non-contact training.

Dram: It's remarkable that Solskjaer wanted to buy Haaland, Rice and Bellingham, all of whom turned out to be £100m players. Presumably he didn't really want £80m Maguire or £80m Sancho, who signed for Man Utd when he was the manager?

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is not looking to leave the club after the England international, 25, was dropped from the the team last week. Chelsea and Bayern Munich are monitoring Ramsdale's situation, according to the Mirror., external

Read Wednesday's Gossip here.

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Jeb: Never wanted Ole to leave and it was clear as day to me that the Ronaldo signing ruined the team's progress. We were great to watch before that season with Bruno, Cavani, Rashford and Greenwood. Many of my fellow United fans should take the blame for helping to hound him out. 'Tactically inept' despite him having an epic record against top six (including Pep).

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In case you missed it earlier, Victor Francos, secretary of state for sports in Spain, has said that most of the women's team have agreed to end their boycott.

The agreement was reached at 05:00 local time on Wednesday after more than seven hours of meetings.

Francos said the Spanish football federation (RFEF) had committed to "immediate and profound changes".

Two of the 23 players named in the squad for this month's Nations League games - Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro - have left the squad.

The rest of the players began the boycott after then RFEF president Luis Rubiales kissed forward Jenni Hermoso following Spain's triumph over England in the Women's World Cup final on 20 August.

The kiss, which Hermoso said was not consensual, led to Rubiales' resignation, while Spain manager Jorge Vilda was sacked.

Spain are due to play Sweden on Friday and Switzerland on Tuesday.

Read more on this story here.