Premier League news LIVE: Arsenal and Man City injury updates, Liverpool latest after Xabi Alonso blow
Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp will be speaking today as the Premier League returns this weekend
The Premier League returns this weekend with one of the biggest games of the season as Manchester City host title rivals Arsenal at the Etihad.
Mikel Arteta’s side return from the international break at the top of the table as they look to win a first Premier League title in 20 years, but an immediate visit to champions City will be the ultimate test of their ambitions.
Arsenal have not won at the Etihad in nine years, as both teams await crucial injury updates ahead of the match. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have yet to train after the international break, while John Stones and Kyle Walker have been ruled out after both picked up injuries while on England duty.
Liverpool will have the chance to return to the Premier League summit when they host Brighton on Sunday, but the Reds have been dealt a blow after Xabi Alonso, their leading candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp, was ruled out of contention for the Anfield job.
Alonso has since confirmed that he will remain with Bayer Leverkusen, with the Spaniard also turning down the chance to manage Bayern Munich. Follow all the latest Premier League team news and injury updates from today’s press conferences as the top-flight returns this weekend
Eddie Howe hoping FA does not ‘throw the book’ at suspended Sandro Tonali
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has urged the Football Association not to “throw the book” at midfielder Sandro Tonali after charging him with further betting offences.
The 23-year-old, who is currently serving a 10-month worldwide ban imposed by the Italian Football Federation in October after he admitted breaking gambling rules, is alleged to have breached FA rule E8 50 times by betting on matches between August 12 and October 12 last year.
However, Howe, who has been without his £55m summer signing from AC Milan since October, is hoping English football’s governing body will not impose further stringent punishment on a player whose agent, Giuseppe Riso, has insisted is battling a “gambling addiction”.
Eddie Howe hoping FA does not ‘throw the book’ at suspended Sandro Tonali
The 23-year-old is currently serving a 10-month ban after Tonali admitted breaking gambling rules in Italy
Man City vs Arsenal latest team news
Manchester City host Arsenal on Sunday in a potential Premier League title decider at the Etihad - but both teams come in the clash with injury concerns following the international break.
It was a potentially devastating window for the champions City, who saw Kyle Walker limp off with a hamstring issue in England’s 1-0 defeat to Brazil, before John Stones was forced off early on in the 2-2 draw with Belgium due to an abductor problem.
The concerns for Arsenal came earlier, with Bukayo Saka pulling out of England’s camp and both Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli forced to withdraw from Brazil’s squad.
Arsenal will need to be at full strength if they are to end a nine-year winless run at Manchester City, who they lead by two points in the Premier League title race as Mikel Arteta’s side hunt a first league championship in 20 years.
Man City vs Arsenal team news after Bukayo Saka, Kyle Walker and John Stones updates
City face being without seven first-team stars for the visit of Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday
Liverpool handed Andy Robertson boost after suffering injury with Scotland
Liverpool have received an injury boost with Andy Robertson only expected to be sidelined for a few days with the ankle injury he sustained in Scotland’s defeat to Northern Ireland.
The left-back underwent scans after being forced to go off on Tuesday but they confirmed that he suffered no major damage and the defender, who was ruled out for three months earlier in the season with a shoulder problem he sustained on international duty, will be back soon.
Robertson is set to miss Sunday’s home match against Brighton but could return for Thursday’s meeting with Sheffield United and should to be fit for the trip to Manchester United on 7 April.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been out since February with a knee problem, could be available by the middle of April while Klopp said goalkeeper Alisson, who has missed the last 10 games with a hamstring injury, might be back in three weeks.
Liverpool handed Andy Robertson boost after suffering injury with Scotland
Robertson missed almost three months of the season due to a shoulder injury earlier this campaign, but the Reds can expect a quicker recovery this time
Eddie Howe hopes Sandro Tonali avoids extended ban
Tonali, 23, is currently serving a 10-month ban after admitting gambling offences in Italy.
“He has suffered during this period, he has sought help, he’s been very honest, he has admitted he has an issue, and I think the best thing for Sandro would be to resume his career having taken his punishment and having learned a lot of lessons from this,” Howe said.
“I certainly hope for Sandro that there is no further consequences [after the latest charge].
FPL Gameweek 30: Five transfer tips for players to sign this week
Following a bizarre gameweek 29 featuring only four matches and no shortage of disappointment (any points, anyone?), Fantasy Premier League managers can look forward to a return to normality in GW30.
A full fixture list kicks off the run towards the finish line, and with only nine gameweeks remaining, every point is crucial in your mini-leagues.
It is worth noting that gameweeks 34 and 37 are likely to feature plenty of clubs with two matches, so keep an eye on fixture announcements and be prepared to stock up on the doublers.
Here are our top tips for GW30:
FPL GW30: Van Dijk and more transfer tips for players to sign this week
New signings for managers to make for the first FPL gameweek after the international break
Liverpool’s alternatives to Xabi Alonso in search for next manager
Liverpool’s manager search has been dealt a blow after the news that Xabi Alonso is not expected to be on their shortlist to replace the outgoing Jurgen Klopp this summer.
Alonso was considered to be the favourite to step in for Klopp at Anfield, and was named by the German as the outstanding candidate, but Bayer Leverkusen are confident of keeping the former midfielder.
Leverkusen are on the brink of winning a first Bundesliga title under Alonso this season - Bayern Munich are also likely to try and convince the Spaniard to join them, but the German giants also face an uphill task.
It means Liverpool will have to look elsewhere as they try to replace Klopp, who will be stepping down at the end of the season.
The picture is rather complicated by the fact that Bayern and Barcelona will also be looking for new managers this summer too, and perhaps Manchester United too.
Liverpool’s alternatives to Xabi Alonso in search for next manager
Bayer Leverkusen are confident Alonso will stay at the club this summer, forcing Liverpool to look elsewhere for Jurgen Klopp’s replacement
Willie Kirk sacked as Leicester boss after investigation into alleged player relationship
Leicester have sacked manager Willie Kirk following an investigation into an alleged relationship with a player.
The Women’s Super League club said Kirk, 45, had “breached the team’s code of conduct to a degree that makes his position untenable”.
Kirk was suspended by Leicester earlier this month, with the club announcing that he was “assisting with an internal process”.
The Scot who was appointed manager in 2022, has not been on the touchline for the past three games while the club investigated a complaint about the alleged relationship between Kirk and a player, first reported by the Guardian.
Willie Kirk sacked by Leicester after investigation into alleged player relationship
Kirk was suspended by the Women’s Super League club earlier this month and a statement said the 45-year-old had ‘breached the team’s code of conduct’
Sean Dyche hoping Everton’s latest Premier League charge ‘comes to nothing’
Everton boss Sean Dyche is hoping for a quick resolution to the club’s latest profit and sustainability charge and that the case “comes to nothing”.
The Merseysiders, who have already been deducted six points this season, are facing further punishment over a second alleged breach of the Premier League’s regulations.
A hearing took place earlier this week and the club are now awaiting a verdict, which should be delivered before April 8.
Sean Dyche hoping Everton’s latest Premier League charge ‘comes to nothing’
A hearing took place earlier this week and the club are now awaiting a verdict, which should be delivered before April 8.
Mauricio Pochettino surprised Ben Chilwell started England games after injury
Speaking yesterday, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino admitted he was surprised Ben Chilwell started two games for England during the international break, having only recently returned from a knee injury.
The defender last started for Chelsea on March 2 against Brentford and since then has played just a few minutes for the club, as a late substitute in the FA Cup against Leicester.
Yet he played the entirety of England’s 2-2 draw with Belgium on Tuesday, three days after completing 67 minutes against Brazil.
“He didn’t play after Brentford, then he played only a few minutes against Leicester,” said Pochettino. “(Then) he started two games (for England).
“It’s a surprise for us. It’s bad luck because he got a dead leg in the last moment against Belgium. Now we need to assess if he can be available.”
Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali could face new ban after FA charge for 50 betting offences
On Newcastle, Sandro Tonali faces the prospect of a second gambling ban after being charged by the FA for allegedly putting 50 bets on football games in just two months.
The Newcastle midfielder is already suspended for 10 months and ineligible to play until 27 August after being banned by the Italian Football Federation for bets he placed while an AC Milan player.
The £55m signing, who admitted those charges and whose ban was extended by Fifa to cover all football, has now been charged by the English FA which suspects him of betting on further matches after joining Newcastle.
Newcastle do not expect the latest charge to delay Tonali’s return to first-team football or his ability to train with Eddie Howe’s side with the hope that any suspension, if he is found guilty, could be served concurrently with his existing ban.
Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali could face new ban after FA charge for 50 betting offences
Tonali allegedly made the bets at the start of the current season after moving from AC Milan to Newcastle United
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