Exclusive: Arsenal and Aston Villa are poised to discover whether they have won the race to sign Sverre Halseth Nypan.

Arsenal scored twice to come from behind and defeat Girona 2-1 to secure their place in the Champions League round of 16.

Arsenal take on Girona in the Champions League tonight without David Raya, who misses out in a huge injury concern before clashes with Manchester City and Newcastle. It is the Gunners’ final game of the new-look league phase,

THE Champions League league phase will conclude TONIGHT – with fans treated to a bumper round of action. All 36 clubs will be in action this evening as the race for a spot in the last-16

Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa have learned their fates for the next stage of the Champions League following the conclusion of the league phase. Liverpool had already guaranteed a top-eight spot and a place in the last-16 having won their first seven games in this year’s competition.

Arsenal have had a bid rejected by Aston Villa for England striker Ollie Watkins; Watkins has scored 10 goals in 23 games for Villa in the Premier League this season; Gunners expected to return with improved offer;

Liverpool will take on either Paris Saint Germain, Benfica, AS Monaco or Brest in the round of 16. Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side will await one team out of AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord or Juventus. Villa will take on either Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Club Brugge or Sporting Clube de Portugal.

The draw for the knockout phase play-offs will be held pretty swiftly after the group stage is completed, with teams learning their fate on 31 January. Then the first legs will be played on 11-12 February and the second on 18-19 February. That gives the top eight teams a useful spell without European football as the round of 16 begins on 4 March.

Aston Villa rejected a bid from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins; Jhon Duran set to complete move to Saudi Arabia side Al Nassr in coming days which would leave Watkins as only striker at Villa; Watkins has scored 10 goals in 23 games for Villa in the Premier League this season.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa have both secured their places in the Champions League last 16 knockout stage following Wednesday night's final group matches while Manchester City have made it through to the play-offs after beating Club Brugge.

Aston Villa star Jhon Duran reportedly handed out gifts to his team-mates and club staff ahead of a proposed exit to Saudi Arabia. We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

MIKEL ARTETA believes Arsenal are proving they can beat anyone after Ethan Nwaneri inspired a fourth straight European victory. The whizkid, 17, curled in a stunning solo goal to see off Girona