Bukayo Saka has returned to training with Arsenal, easing fears regarding his chances of featuring for England at the World Cup.
Saka was forced off in the 27th minute of Sunday's 5-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest following a heavy challenge from Renan Lodi, having assisted Gabriel Martinelli's opener.
The youngster's injury led to fears he might not be fit to feature in Gareth Southgate's squad for Qatar, but on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta confirmed Saka had overcome the problem.
With Arsenal looking to top their Europa League group by beating Zurich, Saka has joined Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mohamed Elneny in making a return to training.
"They are in different stages, obviously. Mo had a long-term injury but has recovered in a really good way and has been training with the team for a week or two," Arteta said in a press conference.
"Oleks' [return] was very recent, and he trained in just two sessions, and Bukayo just missed one or two and was fine today."
Arteta was asked whether Saka wanted to play on after suffering the injury, and stressed the importance of making a rapid decision in such situations.
"We're using our brains and our common sense, but obviously he had a kick and wasn't comfortable," Arteta added.
"We made a decision to get him off, and now he's feeling fine. We'll assess each individual as it comes.
"We had to make a decision and we couldn't delay a situation like that, because every minute that a player is not 100 per cent to play, it's costing the team. We have to make those decisions quickly."
Asked whether officials offer enough protection to players like Saka, the Gunners boss added: "I'm sure the referees have looked at all the incidents, all the fouls, the number of fouls our front players are getting, and it's their job to manage that situation in the best possible way."
Howe lauds Slot's impact at Liverpool but insists title race not over
Eddie Howe lauded the impact of Arne Slot with Premier League leaders Liverpool, though insists the title race is far from over ahead of Newcastle United's meeting on Wednesday.
Liverpool are nine points clear at the summit heading into the midweek action, having dispatched Manchester City with a 2-0 win at Anfield on Sunday.
That opened up an 11-point gap between the Reds and Pep Guardiola's defending champions, yet Howe believes the title battle is far from over in December.
"No, I think nothing is ever secure or done until it's done," said Howe. "The Premier League is known for twists and turns, so who knows what's going to happen.
"I think they're a team at the moment playing with full confidence, they've still got the hallmark of Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
"But Arne has now had his time with the team and tweaked certain things, that makes them a very difficult proposition because they've added new strengths."
Newcastle were defeated 2-0 at home by West Ham before a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last Saturday.
Slot believes travelling to Newcastle will pose a tougher test than facing Real Madrid, however, having defeated Los Blancos last week in the Champions League.
"We know we have a difficult week coming up again," Slot said.
"We thought Madrid and City were very difficult teams to face, which they actually were as well. I think it’s even harder going away to Newcastle.
"We're not even halfway through the season yet."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Newcastle United – Alexander Isak
Fitness permitting if Alexander Isak can shake off a knock suffered at Palace, the Sweden striker will be key to any home hopes here.
The Newcastle forward has 21 goals in 30 home Premier League appearances, although he has only scored twice from 18 attempts at St James' Park this season.
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah stole the show once more against City, scoring from the penalty spot and assisting Cody Gakpo's opener.
The Liverpool star has also been involved in 14 Premier League goals against Newcastle (eight goals, six assists), with these coming in his last 13 appearances against them.
MATCH PREDICTION – LIVERPOOL WIN
Liverpool are firm favourites for this one considering they have won each of their last six meetings with Newcastle in the Premier League.
The Magpies are winless in the last 15 top-flight meetings overall (D4 L11), while Liverpool have won five of their last six league visits to St. James' Park.
Indeed, the Reds' three-match winning streak on the road against Newcastle is their longest such streak against Wednesday's hosts in the competition.
Expect drama, too, given Liverpool have won 11 Premier League games in which they have trailed against Newcastle, the most comeback wins one side has against another in the competition's history.
To make matters worse for the hosts, they have won just one of their last 26 Premier League meetings against sides starting the day top of the table (D7 L18), a feat which could continue here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Newcastle United win – 26.2%
Draw – 23.6%
Liverpool win – 50.2%
Arteta already sees Amorim influence on Man Utd
Mikel Arteta feels Ruben Amorim's influence is already visible in Manchester United's play, ahead of Arsenal facing the Red Devils in a huge matchup on Wednesday.
United have one win and one draw from two Premier League matches under the former Sporting CP coach, drawing 1-1 at Ipswich Town before crushing Everton 4-0.
On Wednesday, the United boss will face his toughest test yet as United visit the Emirates Stadium, where they have lost on seven of their last nine Premier League visits (one win, one draw), losing on their last three.
Last Sunday's comprehensive victory over Everton was the biggest ever managed by a permanent United boss in their first home league match at the helm.
They registered 59.9% possession, 630 total passes and three big chances in that match, with all of those figures bettering their per-game averages under former boss Erik ten Hag this term (52.2% possession, 494 passes and 2.9 big chances).
Arteta has been impressed by the swift nature of Amorim's impact, saying at Tuesday's pre-match press conference: "You can see his fingerprints already in how he wants to play.
"You know what he wants to do straight away, I think he's been very clear. He's been very successful with Sporting.
"It's remarkable after so many years what he achieved there, especially in the way he did it and the way his teams have been playing.
"He brings energy to the club, to the players, new ideas and that's always something that's positive.
"We focus on ourselves. We're on a good run and have good momentum. It will be a big and beautiful match against United."
Arsenal are currently trailing pacesetters Liverpool by nine points at the Premier League summit, with United six points further back in ninth place.
However, Arteta still thinks plenty of teams could catch Arne Slot's Reds – including United.
"We're still very early in the season. Any team that has the capacity to put wins in a row has a chance," the Spaniard said. "I think anything is possible."
Arsenal thrashed West Ham 5-2 last time out, with Bukayo Saka scoring a penalty and laying on two assists.
Saka has now provided 10 assists in Arsenal’s 13 Premier League games this season – only Harry Kane (11 in 2020-21), Cesc Fabregas (12 in 2014-15) and Mesut Ozil (12 in 2015-16) have reached double figures fewer games into a team's Premier League campaign.
Arteta feels the England international has made a visible step up this season, saying: "In terms of the numbers, yes.
"We see a shift from Bukayo every single year. He's more and more consistent. He can only improve and only get better. He wants more."
Wiegman hails England's 'solid' defence against USA
Sarina Wiegman praised England's defensive work in an "intense" game against the United States after they played out a 0-0 draw at Wembley.
The Lionesses struggled to find their rhythm in attack, managing just four shots throughout the game, with only one of those on target – a Leah Williamson header in the 55th minute.
However, they also limited the USA to just three shots on target, with Mary Earps the standout performer as she helped to keep the Olympic champions at bay.
After losing their last friendly at Wembley 4-3 to Germany, Wiegman was pleased to see a marked improvement as England step up their preparation for Euro 2025.
"This shows where we are at, and we need to keep improving," Wiegman told ITV. "It is November now. This is good, but we want to be better again. We have to be better again.
"I thought it was a very intense game. Of course, we know the USWNT is very dynamic [and] explosive in going forward.
"Our defence was solid, we were defending as a team, very strong. They challenged us on the wings; I think we solved that well, and in the box, we defended that pretty good. I'm happy with the team performance."
The visitors thought they had scored a winner at the start of the second half, only for Lindsey Horan's finish to be ruled out for offside.
They were also awarded a penalty in the 65th minute for an Alex Greenwood handball, though VAR overturned it after replays showed it hitting her torso.
The USA are now unbeaten in each of their last 20 friendly matches (W17 D3), keeping a clean sheet in 16 of those matches.
Emma Hayes also maintained her unbeaten start on her homecoming and was proud of how her team performed.
"When you have to play England, especially after the defeat to Germany, we knew there was going to be a reaction to that performance," Hayes told ITV.
"I got the chance to see so many younger, less experienced players. It is so important because we are building towards something. I am proud of the way we imposed ourselves on the game. Generally, I am pleased with the performance.
"We had a goal disallowed, it was never a penalty, but you saw the entries into the final third it was us more than them. We are at a developmental stage, and I am proud of the way we played. In the Olympics, I saw some composure in our play. I am proud.
"You've got two top teams. Sarina's an amazing coach. It was a good tactical match-up. I just enjoy coaching. I live in football matches, to be honest with you."
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