Premier League news LIVE: Erling Haaland latest and injury updates from today’s press conferences
The Premier League is back following the international break as Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool kicks off the weekend’s fixtures
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana are set to be fit as the Premier League returns from the November international break this weekend.
All three players withdrew or were absent from their international squads over the past fortnight but are set to be available for their respective fixtures. Haaland was considered to be an injury doubt after picking up a knock in Norway’s friendly win against the Faroe Islands, but Pep Guardiola is hopeful he will be ready to face Liverpool in Saturday’s top-of-the table clash.
The battle between Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp kicks off when should be a fascinating run of fixtures leading up to Christmas and beyond. Along with the fight for first place, there’s the battle for fourth with Aston Villa, Manchester United, Newcastle and Brighton all chasing down Tottenham who currently sit in the final Champions League place. Villa face Spurs this weekend while United host Everton.
Speaking of the Toffees, they are once again in the midst of a relegation battle having been deducted 10-points for breaking the Premier League’s financial rules. The deduction sees them drop down to 19th above Burnley, and puts them two points away from safety.
Follow along for the latest updates and injury news from the Premier League:
Howe on how injuries affected his team
Newcastle have won four in a row and kept four clean sheets at St. James’ Park which is a run that Eddie Howe is proud off especially with the injuries to key defenders in his team.
“Among everything that’s going on you can lose track of the positive things,” he said. “We’ve [had a] changed back four. Last year we were able to keep a solid unit but this year players have come in and shown their worth.
“We’ll be potentially stretched again this weekend but I’d back the team to perform well.”
How on the return of Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes has served his suspension and will be available to start for Newcastle on Saturday with the Brazilian a key figure in the heart of their midfield.
“He’s a real catalyst for us and the supporters,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. “You take that player away and I think there is a big hole.
“The added thing for us is we’re missing Sandro [Tonali] and we were stretched for Bournemouth. [Guimaraes] coming back is a massive lift.”
Aaron Ramsdale set for Arsenal lifeline, but ‘charisma and personality’ won’t be enough
Aaron Ramsdale has increasingly found himself in an unenviable position, left out in the cold by Mikel Arteta’s team selection policy and facing a battle for his future at Arsenal.
His father was left to lament that the goalkeeper has “lost his smile” as he has been left to stew on the bench while loan signing David Raya has consolidated his place in the starting line up.
Raya is ineligible against parent club Brentford on Saturday, allowing Ramsdale a rare chance to impress the manager.
Aaron Ramsdale set for Arsenal lifeline, but ‘personality’ won’t be enough
Ramsdale has only played four Premier League matches for Arsenal this season but will return to the starting line-up against Brentford on Saturday
Arteta on facing Brentford
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on the challenges of facing Brentford: “Brentford are a really tough opponent and it is a difficult place to go.
“You look at all the clubs who go there and they make it extremely difficult. They are really effective and well coached. It will be a tough match.
“We watch the games for sure [Man City vs Liverpool in the early kick off] as we are interested in the league and we are always on top of things.”
Ramsdale to start against Brentford
Mikel Arteta’s press conference is well underway and the Arsenal boss has confirmed that Aaron Ramsdale will be in the starting XI for their trip to Brentford on Saturday.
He said of Ramsdale: “My job is to try and help people in the very best possible way everyday to make him better and give them the best possible chance to fulfil the potential in their career and get to the highest possible position.
“There is no expectation with any player.”
Arteta confirmed Ramsdale will start against Brentford with David Raya ineligible due to being on loan from the Bees.
Howe has his say on related-party loan moves
During the international break the Premier League clubs voted against a temporary ban that would see multiple clubs owned by the same party unable to loan players to each other.
This is particularly of interest to Newcastle who are interested in signing Ruben Neves, on a short term deal, from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal who are also owned by the PIF.
Howe said “You say Newcastle were favoured but it was a Premier League vote.
“We’re not the only club involved in that vote. I think the majority of the Premier League and other clubs around the world [benefit] so it’s not solely on us, I don’t think.
“Newcastle, our club, had a view. We voted in a way, a way that we’re allowed to, and the vote came out on the side that it did.
“I think just from my dealings with it, we’re very relaxed on it. It’s not the be-all and end-all for us.
“We’ve got a squad that we really like. Now if we get players fit before January then the need to recruit will become much less intense for us.”
Eddie Howe on facing Chelsea
“We have worked with a small squad but we have worked well, majority of players came back into the group yesterday and we are looking forward to the game at the weekend.
“Our home form has been very strong - we have had some good results against some top sides. You look back at our last league game here against Arsenal, it was a very strong performance, full of discipline and quality. Another performance and atmosphere like that would be more than welcome. There is a determination to put the Bournemouth result to bed.”
Eddie Howe gives Newcastle injury update
Newcastle take on Chelsea this weekend in a big clash that could see the Magpies move into the top four if results go their way.
Speaking ahead of that fixture, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe updated the press on the status of the injuries in his squad saying:
“Fabian [Schär] was more precautionary rather than any injury, we saw him yesterday – he seemed good. Miggy [Miguel Almiron] has worked really well since his hamstring.
“Kieran [Trippier] is fine, he has trained with us since his return from England. We will check on Sean [Longstaff] before tomorrow.”
All good news it seems.
This weekend’s Premier League fixtures
Saturday
12.30pm - Manchester City vs Liverpool
3pm - Burnley vs West Ham
3pm - Luton vs Crystal Palace
3pm - Newcastle United vs Chelsea
3pm - Nottingham Forest vs Brighton
3pm - Sheffield United vs Bournemouth
5.30pm - Brentford vs Arsenal
Sunday
2pm - Tottenham vs Aston Villa
4.30pm - Everton vs Manchester United
Premier League press conferences
Here’s the schedule for today’s manager press conferences. The times are loose estimates and can change but usually they manage to stick to the timetable.
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are up first with the bulk of the updates coming in the early afternoon:
9.30am - Arsenal
10am - Newcastle
1pm - Tottenham, Chelsea
1.15pm - Manchester United
1.30pm - Everton, Man City, Liverpool, West Ham, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Luton, Brighton, Fulham, Aston Villa
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