Arsenal enter the Europa League along with Everton as they aim to repeat the English success from last season.

Arsenal host German side Cologne at The Emirates, whilst Everton face a trip to Italy to face Atalanta.

Arsene Wenger’s side have not competed in this tournament for 17 years, when they lost in the final to Galatasaray, but some now feel Arsenal’s best chance of getting back into the Champions League could be winning this competition – like Manchester United did last year.

However, whilst Wenger insists that is not the case – they will be giving the Europa League all due respect.

“This not the best chance for the Champions League but it is one of the opportunities,” said Wenger.

“I think the best way to do it is through the Premier League. We want to win every competition we play in.”

Ronald Koeman and Everton have already come through a tough qualifying campaign to make it through to the group stages.

“This competition has always been important for me,” said Koeman.

“I like to be in Europe – it’s important for our experience. It’s good for the club, the players and the fans.”

See below for a run-down on the game, including predictions from former England, Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder Andy Gray, leading agent Barry Silkman and our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey  together with everything you need to know from the bookies – with BoyleSports’s Leon Blanche.

Football INDEX is a stockmarket game where players, known as Traders, take a position on the “future success” of footballers with real money – CLICK HERE to play and start winning, and take advantage of your £20 cashback only with TheGamblingTimes.

Arsenal 20:05 Cologne

The Emirates

TEAM NEWS: David Ospina, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott are all set to be handed their first starts of the season. Francis Coquelin is the only played ruled out through injury.
KEY FACT: Arsenal have lost five of their last seven home games against German clubs
MATCH ODDS: Arsenal 4/9 Draw 10/3 Cologne 13/2
ANDY SAYS: Comfortable Arsenal win coming here for me…3-1
GRAEME SAYS: Arsenal will get the three points, pretty straightforward…2-0
SILKY SAYS: Yeah, no problem for Arsenal here, could be a big home win…4-1
BOYLE SPORT PICK: Over 3.5 goals @ 8/5
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Jack Wilshere could feature here, and is available at just over £1 – interesting option

Atalanta 18:00 Everton
Tricolore City Stadium

TEAM NEWS: Long term injury victims James McCarthy, Yannick Bolasie, Seamus Coleman, Ramiro Funes Mori and Ross Barkley all miss out for Everton.
KEY FACT: Everton have lost all three of their previous games in Italy
MATCH ODDS: Atalanta 13/10 Draw 23/10 Everton 11/5
ANDY SAYS: Hard to know with Everton but they should get a win…0-2
GRAEME SAYS: Tough call – neither has started great in their league, so draw…1-1
SILKY SAYS: Don’t think this will be easy but Everton to get the victory…1-2
BOYLE SPORT PICK: Draw @ 12/10
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Wayne Rooney at £2.61 and is in good form

Football INDEX is a stockmarket game where players, known as Traders, take a position on the “future success” of footballers with real money – CLICK HERE to play and start winning, and take advantage of your £20 cashback only with TheGamblingTimes.