The 15 remaining pre-match Premier League press conferences take place on Friday – and this is the place to come to get all the major Gameweek 6 team news.
Mikel Arteta, Enzo Maresca, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola are among the managers facing the media today.
We’ll bring you the key quotes from all of these head coaches in the article below. There should be lots to get through, too, after a bumper international break filled with knocks, niggles and withdrawals.
These pressers follow on from the five we had on Thursday.
KEY GAMEWEEK 6 TEAM NEWS FROM FRIDAY
- Chelsea: Pedro, Palmer, Caicedo, James + Palestra train and are available
- Arsenal: Tzolis out for weeks, White, Mosquera + Hincapie fit, late tests for Konsa + Havertz
- Manchester City: Haaland fit, Foden banned, Semenyo seen training
- Liverpool: Isak + Gakpo out, Jacquet fit
- Brighton and Hove Albion: Dunk fit, Hinshelwood returns, Mitoma + Minteh still out
- Manchester United: Sesko, Mazraoui + Dorgu out, Mainoo + Rashford train a bit
- Tottenham Hotspur: Porro out, van de Ven + van Hecke set to be fit
- Nottingham Forest: Milenkovic + Jesus out, Williams struggle with illness
- Brentford: Andrews vague but Collins, van den Berg + Jensen getting close
- Crystal Palace: Khalaili fit, Henderson, Mateta + Tomiyasu close but miss out
- Aston Villa: Onana, Maatsen, Goretza still out but Madjo + Pau return in friendly
- Everton: Mykolenko has a “chance”, game may come too soon for Norgaard
- Fulham: Tete back, Cairney trains, Robinson has ankle issues
- Hull City: Mendy fit, Norton-Cuffy, Morita + Iroegbunam also back in training
- Ipswich Town: Fully fit squad but Fatawu suspended
FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
🚨 Friday’s FPL Press Conferences!
🕊️ 9am – Hurzeler
⬜️ 10am – Arbeloa
🔵 10.30am – Maresca
🦅 1pm – Sage
🐝 1.15pm – Andrews
⭕️ 1.30pm – Arteta
🧿 1.30pm – Alonso
🍬 1.30pm – Moyes
🐯 1.30pm – Jakirovic
🚜 1.30pm – O’Neil
🔴 1.30pm – Iraola
👹 1.30pm – Carrick
🌳 1.30pm – Glasner
🐓 1.30pm – De Zerbi
🟣 2pm – Emery— Fantasy Football Scout (@FFScout) October 9, 2026
CHELSEA
In a big boost for Chelsea and many FPL managers, Joao Pedro (knee), Reece James (hamstring), Cole Palmer (muscle), Marco Palestra (quad) and Moises Caicedo (calf) have trained and are “ready”.
“He’s ready to go. Finally! You have been asking this question and we have used the time with Moi to be back fit. He’s been training good and he’s okay to go.” – Xabi Alonso on Moises Caicedo
“Yes, they have been able to train, some of them earlier than others. Marco Palestra, as well. So, we have used the time and that was the plan. We knew that against Brenford, we were in with some players struggling, but now they have trained well and they are ready to go.
“For the next block of games to the next international games, we have five Premier League games and and hopefully they will be available as long [as possible], but for tomorrow they will be good.” – Xabi Alonso on Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Reece James
“He has trained the last week. He’s felt better. We didn’t want to rush because we had enough time. What the most important thing is for Cole is to be fully fit, that he enjoys his game, that he’s feeling okay. Whenever he’s not, like the Brentford game, we could see that he was struggling. Fom the next part, we have a good feeling with him and that he’s feeling better.” – Xabi Alonso on Cole Palmer
Jamie Gittens will be out for a few weeks with an ankle issue picked up over the break.
“He’s not going to be fit for tomorrow. That’s the bad news about this international break, that he picked an injury on his ankle and he’s going to be out for a few weeks.” – Xabi Alonso on Jamie Gittens
ARSENAL
Christos Tzolis (hamstring) will be out for “weeks” with an injury he picked up over the break.
Two more casualties of the last fortnight, Ezri Konsa (dead leg) and Kai Havertz (hamstring), face a late fitness test before Saturday.
“With Kai, because he had a muscular injury, so I spoke to Jürgen [Klopp] and immediately they sent the player back, as is normal. Ezri because he’s been carrying some issues as well and we had good communication with the England camp about that.
“Tzolis has a muscle injury and he’s going to be out I think for a few weeks. He’s not available.
“Ezri and Kai we will see tomorrow.” – Mikel Arteta
Declan Rice also pulled out of duty with the senior team early in the break, with Mikel Arteta saying he has had “some issues” since the World Cup and that the Gunners “have to manage” him. Arteta is hopefuly the midfielder is available, however.
“We have to manage him because he’s been with a few issues since he’s come back from the World Cup and we know the amount of games that he’s played in the last three years. It was the sensible thing to do, and hopefully tomorrow he’s available and some others as well who are in doubt.” – Mikel Arteta on Declan Rice’s withdrawal
Cristhian Mosquera (muscle), Ben White (groin) and Piero Hincapie (muscle) have all returned to training over the break and are “available”.
“Yeah, they are both available. They did incredibly well to be available for the Brighton game, we decided not to use them at the end, especially in the manner that we had to play the last few minutes, but they are both available.
“And Ben White is available as well.” – Mikel Arteta on Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie
Max Dowman has recovered from a knock he picked up with the England under-20s, too.
William Saliba (back) has also been on the grass, with L’Equipe suggesting he is targeting an early-November playing return.
MANCHESTER CITY
In a press conference predictably dominated by topics off the field, specifically the guilty verdict on City’s financial misconduct charges, Enzo Maresca was finally asked how Erling Haaland was.
The Norwegian striker had asked to be substituted while playing for Norway last weekend but the signs then were that it was mere fatigue, and the City forward is indeed fit to face Liverpool.
“He’s good, he’s good. He went to Marbella, two or three days off, played golf, recovered, and is ready for Anfield. He is good.” – Enzo Maresca on Erling Haaland
There were no more team news questions, and there’s no embargoed section to come later, either.
We don’t have any more verbal updates on Nico O’Reilly and Antoine Semenyo, then. The former exited England’s camp midway through the break for “further assessment”, while Semenyo cited a “swollen leg” as the reason for his exit from the Ghana squad.
Semenyo was, at least, seen in a training video earlier today but we didn’t catch sight of O’Reilly.
Phil Foden remains suspended.
LIVERPOOL
Cody Gakpo (ankle) and Alexander Isak (quad) will both miss the clash with Manchester City.
“Alex Isak and Cody Gakpo will not play the game. They are not ready. Unfortunately for us, both got injuries during the international break.
“Cody has an ankle injury. He has had some before in his career and it is a matter of him dealing with the pain. It was a really bad tackle, I think. He is doing things individually but will not be ready for Sunday.
“Alex has a thigh injury. It is a small injury, but it is a muscle injury, and the same: whenever he feels ready.
“They both don’t look long term. We will be analysing day to day but they are not going to arrive on Sunday.” – Andoni Iraola
Jeremy Jacquet (hamstring), another casualty of the last fortnight, has at least recovered and trained.
“He’s fit. He’s ready to go. He didn’t play with the national team the last game because of protection but he should be fine. Still we need to train tomorrow, but he’s fine, yes.” – Andoni Iraola on Jeremy Jacquet
Long-term absentees Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Conor Bradley (knee) and, likely, Giovanni Leoni (knee) also remain out, although the latter is closing in on a return this month.
Federico Chiesa could be back from a muscle issue.
“We will maybe recover Fede Chiesa but he hasn’t played any minutes.
“He’s recovering from an injury but he has been doing a good job in the international break and has been training with the small group we had.” – Andoni Iraola
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Lewis Dunk will return after missing Gameweek 5 with a stiff neck.
Jack Hinshelwood (unspecified) has also trained this week and may come into contention for a place in the squad, while Yasin Ayari has recovered from the illness that saw him miss the last two Sweden games.
Charalampos Kostoulas is also fine after picking up a knock while away with Greece.
“Lewis will be back.
“Jack trained this week. With him, we have to see if it makes sense to take him into the squad because the next weeks will be busy. We have a lot of games.
“Now it’s really about managing the players and understanding who’s really available and where we don’t risk anything.
“But overall, these two players are definitely available.” – Fabian Hurzeler, via the Argus
Evan Ferguson (ankle), Yankuba Minteh (leg), Mats Wieffer (knee), Kaoru Mitoma (hamstring) and Stefanos Tzimas (knee) all remain out, however.
“Beside that, we have Minteh, Mats Wieffer, Kaoru getting closer.
“Not fit yet but they are definitely getting closer and hopefully we see them soon back in the squad.” – Fabian Hurzeler, via the Argus
It was hoped that Femi Azeez (hamstring) would be close for the Sunderland game but he had some “minor issues” after a mid-season friendly.
We didn’t get an update on Pascal Struijk (hamstring) but Fabian Hurzeler did talk in terms of having “four really good centre-backs”.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Benjamin Sesko (calf) remains out this weekend.
“Ben is further away, with the issue he has got. He won’t be ready.” – Michael Carrick
He’s been joined on the sidelines by Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) and, probably, Noussair Mazraoui (back), who pulled out of their respective national team squads midway through the break.
“Patrick came off and it looks like he will be out for probably a number of weeks. Nous came off and took a knock. He’s not quite right yet, so we’ll have to see how he is.” – Michael Carrick
Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford also exited their countries’ camps but have trained a bit since. So too has Amad Diallo (unspecified).
“Amad has done a little bit of training, Marcus has done a little bit of training, Kobbie has done a little bit of training.” – Michael Carrick
Carlos Baleba, an unused sub in Gameweek 5 on his return from an ankle issue, got minutes under his belt in last Friday’s friendly with Lausanne.
“Carlos is improving, he’s trained a lot and is improving.” – Michael Carrick
Manuel Ugarte (knee) is a long-term absentee.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Dutch centre-halves Micky van de Ven (hand) and Jan Paul van Hecke (foot) picked up issues over the break but Roberto De Zerbi says the two defenders are available for Saturday.
So too is James Maddison, despite a small setback last week.
De Zerbi did add that van Hecke’s wife had twins yesterday, however!
“No, they are available to play. Micky played four games, 90 minutes, around 90 minutes. JP played just three games, the difference is this.
“JP, yesterday, [his] wife [gave birth] to twins. The emotional aspect, we have to consider also this one, but both are available to play.” – Roberto De Zerbi on Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke
“He is available but he lost three/four days in the beginning of this week and the end of the last week. Like I said many times, James is a special player for us, as a player, for sure, but also as a personality. Also Gallagher, I think he is playing well, especially in the last two games, Liverpool and Villa.” – Roberto De Zerbi on James Maddison
Elsewhere, Pedro Porro (hamstring), Mykhailo Mudryk (ankle), Xavi Simons (knee) and Wilson Odobert (knee) remain unavailable.
“Pedro and Mudryk, both are not available. Pedro, I think not for many games. For Mudryk, maybe something more.” – Roberto De Zerbi
Dejan Kulusevski (knee) is inching closer to a return after nearly 18 months out and will travel with the squad to Old Trafford for “support”.
“He is working well, tomorrow he comes with us, also Porro [for support]. I want all players tomorrow, tonight and tomorrow, but he is working very well. I think he is an example for everyone, Deki Kulusevski. Forget the player, but the example of how he reacted to the injury, the reaction to being unlucky, the character he showed this time, was an example, a reference for everyone.
“I don’t know [when he’ll play], it’s not just my responsibility. We are working together with the medical staff. They are working very well with him, they have done special work. We have to analyse week by week.” – Roberto De Zerbi on Dejan Kulusevski
De Zerbi hinted that international minutes could also be a factor.
“We have to consider the many games in a row for Robertson, van de Ven, Bentancur, and the trip of Bentancur. The decision of the first XI is just for that.” – Roberto De Zerbi
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Igor Jesus is out for a few weeks with a calf issue.
Nikola Milenkovic, who only just returned from a hamstring injury in a mid-season friendly against Swansea City, is also back on the sidelines with a bone bruise.
On top of that, Neco Williams is struggling with illness.
“Nikola Milenkovic… returned from injury and played the friendly, was all good, but in a duel, he has a bone bruise and he will miss the game. It’s very painful and he can’t train.
“The other one is Igor Jesus. He has a muscle injury in his calf and he will be out for a few weeks, how it looks like. So that was not really what we wanted.
“And the other one who is questionable is Neco Williams. He returned well and was good, he trained with us yesterday but didn’t feel well. He got a fever in the night, so he was not available today. Let’s see how he recovers.” – Oliver Glasner
Nicolo Savona (knee) is a long-term absentee but is nearing a return.
BRENTFORD
It sounds like Sepp van den Berg (knee), Nathan Collins (calf) and Mathias Jensen (unknown) are close to a recovery, although Keith Andrews was a little vague with his update.
And again, while sounding positive, Andrews didn’t really clarify whether Dango Ouattara, who missed Burkina Faso’s matches due to illness, and Mikkel Damsgaard (ankle), who returned early from Denmark, were fit.
He did at least confirm that Antoni Milambo (knee) and Josh Dasilva (hamstring) were still out.
“Antoni and Josh definitely won’t be involved tomorrow. The rest of them have been on the grass, been around training. The one benefit of the last few weeks has been players like Nathan, Sepp, Matty [Jensen] getting back up to speed and getting close to a return. So, overall, when the players go away for that length of time and the amount of games some of them played, I think we’ve come through it pretty well.
“We’re in a good place for the next chapter.” – Keith Andrews
CRYSTAL PALACE
Dean Henderson (ankle), Jean-Philippe Mateta (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) are close to returns, with Mateta even back in training.
The Nottingham Forest match comes too soon for that trio, however, with comebacks anticipated for next week instead.
Chadi Riad (knee) is also out, while Axel Disasi continues to serve a three-game ban.
Anan Khalaili (hamstring) at least fit, despite a scare over the break.
“Anan Khalaili is ready to play 90 minutes.
“For [Jean-Philippe] Mateta it was his first training with us, but it’s a good step. He was out a long time, but it’s a good sign both for him and also for us. He will not be available for the game this weekend, and it’s the same for Dean Henderson and Takehiro Tomiyasu, but we expect all three of them to come back for Lyon, or Brighton.” – Pierre Sage, via the Palace website
Ismaila Sarr, who returned as a substitute before the break, is now ready to start games.
“Ismaïla Sarr is now able to start. He had his best session for us this week and I hope we can ‘re-find’ the player.” – Pierre Sage, via the Palace website
ASTON VILLA
Modo Cisse (unspecified), long-term absentee Amadou Onana (knee) and Ian Maatsen (ankle) remain out.
And while Leon Goretzka (knee) is back in training, this match comes too soon for him. He could feature in Gameweek 7, instead.
The good news for Villa is that Brian Madjo (ankle), Pau Torres (hamstring), Marco Bizot (back) and Alysson (unspecified) all featured in a mid-season kickabout with Sevilla last Friday. Madjo has been missing since pre-season, with the other three more recent absentees.
Matty Cash, who picked up a dead leg while playing for Poland on Monday, has trained.
“(Amadou) Onana is (out) for a long time, but is progressing very well.
“(Ian) Maatsen is progressing very well, but still out. (Modou Kéba) Cissé as well, he’s progressing very well. He’s going to start to train with us next week, so it’s been positive.
“And other players like Goretzka and Madjo, they are as well training with us, with the group.
“They joined us last week, this week they are working with us. Progressively, we are recovering some players. More or less, that is the news.” – Unai Emery, via the Villa website
EVERTON
Vitalii Mykolenko (leg), who exited the Ukraine camp early after just one appearance, could yet feature this weekend.
“[Mykolenko] has got a chance for Sunday, the extra day might help. We’ll see. We’ve just got the England players back today for the first time, so hopefully they’ll all be fit and ready to go.” – David Moyes, via the Everton website
Christian Norgaard (groin), who featured in a friendly last Friday, may also be involved, but David Moyes would ideally like to give him more time.
“We had a behind-closed-doors game and we got [Nørgaard] the first minutes he’s had for a long time. He’s making progress. I don’t know if he’s quite ready yet to be involved, but with our numbers being so short, it might be something I have to look at. If I had my way, I would certainly give him a good bit more time, if I could.” – David Moyes, via the Everton website
There was no update on Merlin Rohl, who has been missing since Gameweek 3 with a minor issue. The last we heard, he was back on the grass and aiming for a Gameweek 6 return.
FULHAM
Alvaro Arbeloa began his press conference by saying that, at present, he had everyone “available”.
He did, however, clarify that matchday involvement may be premature for Tom Cairney (knee), who has missed the start of the season. The long-serving midfielder returned to training over the break.
“We are very happy because everybody is back and fit. At the moment, everybody is fit and available. Tom Cairney, we are so happy to have him with us again but now is a little bit soon for him because he needs to keep training, but we are happy that he is training with the rest of the team.” – Alvaro Arbeloa, via the Fulham website
Arbeloa also said that Antonee Robinson had “some issues with his ankle” but “thinks” he will be available.
Kenny Tete is back after missing Gameweek 5 with a concussion.
HULL CITY
Nobel Mendy is back from a concussion, while Brooke Norton-Cuffy (hamstring), Tim Iroegbunam (groin) and Hidemasa Morita (adductor) have returned to training.
Jack Butland (shoulder), Matt Targett (ankle) and Ilyas Ansah (back) remain out.
So too do Darko Gyabi (thigh) and Elliot Matazo (knee) but those two, along with Óscar Zambrano, aren’t in the 25-man Premier League squad anyway.
Elliot Stroud exited the Sweden camp at the end of September with illness, but Sergej Jakirovic reports that his internationals have returned without problem, so he’s presumably fine.
We have yet to hear any more news on Charlie Hughes (groin), who was aiming for a return to training over the international break.
IPSWICH TOWN
Gary O’Neil has a fully fit squad for the clash with Fulham.
Central midfielder Jack Taylor (knee), who underwent post-season surgery in May, featured in a behind-closed-doors mid-season friendly last week and then got an hour in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy match with Peterborough.
There is one absentee: Abdul Fatawu serves a one-match ban following his red card last time out.
