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• 'I love him' - Arteta adamant title fight will not affect relationship with Guardiola

  Mikel Arteta insists the title fight between Arsenal and Manchester City will not affect his relationship with Pep Guardiola.

  The sides played out a dramatic 2-2 draw in the Premier League last Sunday, with City snatching a last-gasp equaliser after 10-man Arsenal had staunchly defended throughout the second half.

  Leandro Trossard was dismissed at the end of the first half, receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, and Arsenal were accused of using the "dark arts" in their attempts to come away with three points.

  The Gunners spent a total of nine minutes and four seconds on their goal-kicks in Sunday's match – the most by any team in a Premier League game this season.

  Meanwhile, the average delay at Arsenal restarts (goal-kicks, throw-ins and free-kicks) was 42.7 seconds, with only Aston Villa versus Wolves (47.3) taking longer this term.

  Multiple City players have since criticised the tactics, with arguments also taking place on the pitch, but Arteta says his friendship with Guardiola would not suffer because of any on-pitch disagreements.

  "I love him [Guardiola]. I respect him and admire him. I admire his team and everything he does," Arteta said.

  "This is sport. One thing is our professional, another is my personal relationship. If that has to be damaged because we play against each other, then I wouldn't talk to him anymore!

  "That's not the relationship I consider both of us have. Sport will never get in my way for a personal relationship, for sure."

  Asked if the accusations aimed at Arsenal could affect it, Arteta added: "It depends. If it's true, but if it's not, and you show your integrity, do what you think is right, it doesn't have to.

  "It's opinions. If you don't like them, you shouldn't be sitting where I am.

  "It's simple, don't take it personally, make sure you handle the things you care about in the right way, and I really care about that relationship. It's the same as a lot of staff and players I've spent very important years of my life working with."

  Arsenal are back in action against Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday. 

• FC Cincinnati v Los Angeles FC: Noonan expecting tricky match against US Open Cup champions

  Pat Noonan is expecting Los Angeles FC to pose a tough test to FC Cincinnati, especially as they are coming off the back of their US Open Cup success.

  Cincinnati sit second in the Eastern Conference and are currently unbeaten in four matches, alternating between a win and a draw in that run.

  They let a lead slip twice in a 2-2 draw with Nashville SC last time out though, and Noonan knows his side cannot let their guard down at TQL Stadium on Saturday.

  "[LAFC] are coming in on a high," Noonan said. "They're a very strong team. They just won a trophy, and rightfully so, they should be coming in with good energy and excitement.

  "They've won some [finals], they've lost some, but they have experience in getting there and knowing what those games look like.

  "So, this isn't a final, but what you've come to expect from them is a team that knows how to get to big games and play in big games."

  LAFC had lost each of their last four finals before Wednesday's triumph but put that behind them to beat Sporting Kansas City 3-1.

  In MLS, they are fourth in the Western Conference, having failed to win any of their last five games.

  Head coach Steve Cherundolo was pleased with their Cup success but acknowledged that they still had big improvements to make in the league.

  "The theme of the last couple of weeks is that we've been hurting ourselves. Teams were not beating us, we were beating ourselves," Cherundolo said.

  "That's troublesome and frustrating, but it's also a good problem to have. It means we're in control of our own destiny and this team understands that."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta

  Luciano Acosta has recorded 90 goal contributions over the last three seasons (39 goals, 51 assists).

  He is just the second player in MLS history to record at least 90 goal contributions over a three-season span (Sebastian Giovinco – 92 from 2015-17).

  Los Angeles FC – Mateusz Bogusz

  Mateusz Bogusz has recorded a goal contribution in each of his last seven appearances on the road.

  There has been only one longer single-season streak since the start of the 2020 season: Gustavo Bou – eight straight in 2021.

  MATCH PREDICTION: FC CINCINNATI WIN

  Cincinnati have won just three of their last eight regular-season home matches (D1 L4). They have scored 14 goals in the three wins in that time but managed just two goals in the other five matches.

  Los Angeles won each of their first two meetings with Cincinnati, recording a 2-0 win in Los Angeles in April 2019 and a 2-1 win in Cincinnati in April 2022. LAFC are the only opponent Cincinnati have faced more than once in regular season play and have never come away with a point.

  However, LAFC are winless in five straight regular season matches (D2 L3) following a 3-1 loss at FC Dallas on Saturday. Los Angeles have had only one longer winless run in regular season play in club history, going eight straight without a win in July-August 2021.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  FC Cincinnati – 40.9%

  Draw – 26.7%

  Los Angeles FC – 32.5%

• Al-Nassr 2-0 Al-Wehda: Ronaldo on target to maintain Pioli's winning start

  Cristiano Ronaldo was on target from the penalty spot to help secure Al-Nassr a 2-0 victory over 10-man Al-Wehda in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.

  Angelo had given the hosts the leave just before the break, and Al-Wehda's game went from bad to worse as Waleed Bakshween received some late marching orders.

  Al-Nassr dominated the first half and, after Wesley had struck the woodwork, finally got their reward in the 40th minute as Angelo latched onto Sadio Mane's throughball to lob a fine finish over Abdullah Al Owaishir.

  Al-Wehda showed some fight after going behind, with Youssef Amyn flashing a shot wide on the stroke of half-time before Juninho Bacuna forced Bento into a good save after the restart.

  The result was put beyond doubt shortly after though – Mohamed Al Makahasi pulled down Sultan Al Ghannam in the box, and Ronaldo made no mistake with the resulting spot-kick.

  Mane was denied a goal of his own in the 81st minute, with Ronaldo straying just offside in the build-up, before Bakshween received a needless second yellow card for dissent five minutes later. 

  Al-Nassr move up to second in the table, just one point behind leaders Al-Hilal, for now, with Al-Wehda down in 14th. 

  Data Debrief: Pioli makes dream start

  Stefano Pioli won his first match in the Saudi Pro League 3-0 against Al-Ettifaq, and on Friday, became the first manager in the club's history to start his reign with back-to-back clean sheets in the competition.

  The hard work was done in the first half though, as Al-Nassr had 14 of their 19 shots, accumulating 1.42 expected goals as they hit the target five times.