Team News
4 September 2026 421 comments
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The 11 remaining pre-match Premier League press conferences take place on Friday – and this is the place to come to get all the major Gameweek 3 team news.

Mikel Arteta, Enzo Maresca, Xabi Alonso and Michael Carrick are among the managers facing the media.

We’ll bring you the key quotes from all of these head coaches in the article below.

These pressers follow on from the nine we had on Thursday.



KEY GAMEWEEK 3 TEAM NEWS FROM FRIDAY

FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES

ARSENAL

William Saliba (back) remains out but another long-term absentee, Jurrien Timber (groin), is training and a decision will be made over whether he features against Chelsea.

“He is in really good condition at the moment. He’s been a few weeks on the pitch and he’s been training with us now. So, he’s in a good place.

“We will decide tomorrow after training [regarding his Gameweek 2 involvement].” – Mikel Arteta on Jurrien Timber

Saliba, interestingly, has been named in Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League squad this week, so he might not be out as long as we thought.

“We don’t really know the amount of weeks that he is going to be out because it’s about a healing process and every human being is a bit different. We know that we have to respect certain timelines. The progression has been really positive in the last few weeks but we need to wait and see how the bone reacts when we start to put some load onto it.

“Yeah, it was [an easy decision to include him in the squad] and we have the space to do it, as well.” – Mikel Arteta on William Saliba

Bruno Guimaraes, absent from training in midweek, has a “knock” but is expected to train tomorrrow.

“He had a knock against Villa in the previous game and he is being assessed but probably tomorrow he will be okay for training.” – Mikel Arteta on Bruno Guimaraes

Mikel Arteta insisted Cristhian Mosquera, who was another player that Sky cameras didn’t capture on Thursday, was only taken off as a precaution in Gameweek 2, but that he’d be assessed ahead of the Chelsea game.

“[Going off against Villa] was more precaution than anything else, so we will have to see tomorrow in the session how he feels.” – Mikel Arteta on Cristhian Mosquera

Ezri Konsa will be on standby to deputise.

“He is certainly available in the squad, so we will have to make a selection.” – Mikel Arteta on Ezri Konsa

MANCHESTER CITY

Jeremy Doku (calf) remains out but Matheus Nunes, who was described as “still not 100%” by Enzo Maresca last week, returns.

“Jeremy is still out. Matheus is back, he will be with us tomorrow.” – Enzo Maresca

Maresca also confirmed that Enzo Fernandez was able to start, if called upon.

“Enzo is ready, yes.

“I know Enzo quite well. I know what he can bring to the team. He’s a winner, has a winner mentality. He knows how to win: World Cup, Club World Cup.” – Enzo Maresca on Enzo Fernandez

The City boss had plenty of positive things to say about Iliman Ndiaye, too.

“He’s so good. In the last few days, you can see already how good he is in terms of one-v-one, in terms of the last third, inside the box. I’m very happy to have him with us.” – Enzo Maresca on Iliman Ndiaye

Maresca was grilled on the lack of a natural back-up for Erling Haaland but highlighted the other options available to him.

“Antoine [Semenyo] can be there. It depends on the game plan. But we can also use different players in that position.” – Enzo Maresca on striking options

CHELSEA

Moises Caicedo came off last weekend with an unspecified issue and will be assessed ahead of the weekend.

“We will check tomorrow. Tomorrow is the last decision for the squad on Sunday.” – Xabi Alonso on Moises Caicedo

We didn’t get an update on Marco Palestra (unspecified) or Jordan Henderson (wrist), with the former himself saying earlier this week that he was still “a few days away”.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

James Maddison (shoulder) has returned to training, while Savio is back after missing out last weekend with “muscle fatigue”.

“We are all available to play.

“Maddison started yesterday with us but the other players are in good, good condition.

“Savio is back, yeah.” – Roberto De Zerbi

Xavi Simons (knee), Wilson Odobert (knee) and Dejan Kulusevski (knee) are still sidelined.

Mykhailo Mudryk is now aboard as of deadline day.

“I don’t know how much time he needs to be available to start the game. I think he’s ready right now to play 15, 20, 30 minutes.” – Roberto De Zerbi on Mykhailo Mudryk

MANCHESTER UNITED

Michael Carrick reported no new issues in today’s presser.

Amad Diallo (unspecified), Manuel Ugarte (knee) and Carlos Baleba (ankle) will miss out again, while it remains to be seen how far long-term absentee Matthijs de Ligt (back) is from a playing comeback after a recent return to the grass.

Also back in training is Mason Mount (knock), who has been out for a much shorter period.

Meanwhile, Carrick discussed the fitness of Benjamin Sesko, who has only been a substitute in the opening two Gameweeks.

“Ben’s improving, he’s been improving his fitness all the time. He had some time off, which was important – that we give him the time, to make sure he was right moving forward, with no setbacks.

“You can never guarantee that, but it gives Ben the chance to stay fit for as long as possible. He made big strides last season and he’s still young and still adapting and learning and developing here.

“There’s loads more to come from Ben, so it’s just being patient with him really. I’m really happy with how he’s come back, so looking forward to seeing him on the pitch a little bit more.” – Michael Carrick on Benjamin Sesko

ASTON VILLA

Johan Manzambi (knee), Brian Madjo (unknown) and Amadou Onana (knee) remain out, while Joao Gomes is still suspended.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Mats Wieffer (knee) has joined Jack Hinshelwood (unspecified), Yankuba Minteh (leg), Evan Ferguson (ankle), Kaoru Mitoma (hamstring) and Stefanos Tzimas (knee) on the Brighton injury list.

The Dutchman will be out until October.

Georginio Rutter and Yasin Ayari, who have had more minor issues, might be “options”, however.

“Mats Wieffer, we expect to be out till the international break. Rutter and Yasin, they might be options for for tomorrow.” – Fabian Hurzeler

“Also after international break, so we have to be patient. Hopefully our wingers, they can come back quickly. Of course, our game relies also a little bit on these kind of of wingers but now we have to adapt our game and that’s what we did at the start of the season.” – Fabian Hurzeler on Kaoru Mitoma

“He’s getting closer. He’s in his rehab [but] I can’t give a clear time schedule when he will be back.” – Fabian Hurzeler on Evan Ferguson

“Yeah, he might be an option, yes, to start.

“I think what we need to understand is every player adapts differently to demands from the Premier League. We have now a few signings and I think one player really had or has Premier League experience, with Pascal Struijk. All the others, they first need to adapt to the demands, they need to adapt to the intensity, to our style of play. So, a few players they they will do it quicker. Other players, they might need a longer time. So, there we have to really take care of them individually.

“But regarding Costinha, he’s a physical player. He is is very fit and he’s a very clever player, understands the game, and therefore I’m really pleased with his development.” – Fabian Hurzeler on whether Costinha could deputise for Mats Wieffer

New signing Femi Azeez (hamstring) won’t feature against Leeds United but fellow deadline-day buy Chema Andrés is available.

“Cherma can be definitely an option for tomorrow. Femi, we have to wait this weekend and hopefully he will be available for the next game.” – Fabian Hurzeler

BRENTFORD

Mathias Jensen, who missed out last weekend, remains sidelined, along with longer-term absentees Sepp van den Berg (groin) and Antoni Milambo (knee).

Keith Andrews hopes that van Den Berg will return after the international break, and the defender is already back in training.

Elsewhere, Josh Dasilva picked up a hamstring injury playing for the under-21s and will be out until after the international break.

Keith Andrews reported no other fresh concerns in his pre-match presser.

“Yeah, good. Really good. The usual knocks and bruises, as you’d imagine with the level of game that we had at Leeds. No, the players have recovered well and [had] a couple of really good sessions during the week.” – Keith Andrews on the latest team news

EVERTON

We haven’t heard any team news updates from David Moyes but the only injury we’re aware of is Christian Norgaard (groin), who remains some distance from a return.

FULHAM

Tom Cairney (knee) remains out until after the September international break but he’s the only injured-related absentee for Gameweek 3.

Alvaro Arbeloa says that Saturday’s game is a “little early” for deadline-day buys Manuel Angel, Hugo Larsson and David Affengruber.

COVENTRY CITY

Frank Onyeka is fit, having missed the defeat to Hull City with a hip complaint.

“He’s available for tomorrow.” – Frank Lampard on Frank Onyeka

New loan signing Stephen Mfuni is ineligible to face his parent club.

“We’re very happy with Jay Dasilva and he started the season really, really well. I think in both games, he’s played… certainly the best player on the pitch against Hull. But we need competition in different areas and we need cover and good competition and Steph can do both [jobs]. He brings a profile of a centre-back that can play in that position, which as we see in many modern day Premier League teams, is something that teams are looking to do.” – Frank Lampard on Stephen Mfuni, who can cover at left-back and left-sided centre-half

Haji Wright (quad), Luke Woolfenden (knee) and Keane Kesler-Hayden (hamstring) remain out.

Summer buy Sidiki Cherif is still short of match fitness, meanwhile.

“We see him as a striker, for what he brings and his attributes are, and he sees himself as that as well. So, we’re very happy with Sidi.

“The issue with Sidi has been getting him match fit because over the summer, I sort of referenced it about players there before, when there’s a possible move happening, and you get their work through the summer and you need to work them to get them match fit for not just what the Premier League is but for the player themselves. So, we’re in that process with Sidi.

“We’ll see with tomorrow because we feel he’s in a position where he can make impact but also to play a big period of a Premier League game, it might be early for him.” – Frank Lampard on Sidiki Cherif


421 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Nightf0x
    • 11 Years
    18 mins ago

    Haland TC or vs ipswich later ?

    1. Livinginapool
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      15 mins ago

      I'm doing it this week. Strike while the fire is hot

      1. Livinginapool
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        3 mins ago

        *Iron

        An attempt at an idiom by an idiot there

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      12 mins ago

      This week. He'll start and likely get plenty of minutes. Ipswich is during a busier CL period.

  2. Livinginapool
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    16 mins ago

    Gotta play both Ndiaye and Tzolis if I keep them. 2ft

    1) Ndiaye and Tzolis to Gross and Szob
    2) Ndiaye to Gross
    3) Neither. Reassess next week with the extra info to get Palmer in

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      13 mins ago

      I presume you don't think Ndiaye makes a debut?

      Probably 2, or perhaps Tzolis to Gross but I would be tempted to roll at least one if not both.

      1. Livinginapool
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        2 mins ago

        I'm in two minds. Tbf I wouldn't be surprised if Tzolis starts and Ndiaye makes his debut. It feels risky to keep them both, though

  3. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    15 mins ago

    thoughts on Ajer vs Kayode on free hit?

  4. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    15 mins ago

    Have Ndiaye in my team still, start him or bench for Xhaka?

    Cheers

  5. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    15 mins ago

    a. Tzolis to Gross
    b. Mbeumo to Cherki
    c. Neither and play both Tzolis and Mbeumo

    1. CelticBhoy1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 mins ago

      I'm considering B but still not sure

    2. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      2 mins ago

      Probably going C myself, but still thinking of B.

  6. Salarrivederci
    • 10 Years
    13 mins ago

    FH gtg?

    Kelleher
    VVD - Ajer - De Cuyper
    MGW - Cherki - Wirtz - Foden
    Haaland (C) - Isak - Thiago

    (Verbruggen, Egan, Ajayi, Slater)

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 mins ago

      Not crazy on triple Liverpool, but its a free-hit so looks solid

      1. Salarrivederci
        • 10 Years
        1 min ago

        Ye I agree.

        Its Kelleher, VVD and Wirtz
        Or
        Verbruggen, Collins and Saka

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          just now

          I think on a FH you can go for the former

  7. gomez123
    • 12 Years
    12 mins ago

    If you us your WC this gameweek and you have 2 Free Transfers....will I have 2 FT next week??

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 mins ago

      Yes

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 mins ago

      Yep

  8. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 mins ago

    Rate my free hit team:

    Kelleher
    Ajer Collins de Cuyper
    Bruno Szobo Cherki Foden Gross
    Haaland Isak

    Opinions appreciated. Thanks

    1. tmstrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      just now

      Looks pretty darn good

  9. tmstrand
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    7 mins ago

    Start one:

    A) Le Fee
    B) DCL
    C) Ballard
    D) Muharemovic

  10. garcinha
    6 mins ago

    Choose two for GW 3:
    Tzolis
    Joao Pedro
    Calvert-Lewin