A very busy day of team news awaits us as 14 Premier League managers face the media ahead of Saturday’s Gameweek 5 deadline.
We’ll be bringing you the latest key quotes and team news updates in the ‘live’ article below, so keep checking back for the latest updates.
This piece will also contain quotes from Pep Guardiola and Eddie Howe, who filmed their Gameweek 5 pressers – now released from embargo – in the aftermath of last night’s UEFA Champions League ties.
For the headline updates from Thursday’s four other pressers, click here.
GAMEWEEK 5: KEY INJURY UPDATES FROM FRIDAY’S PRESSERS
- Liverpool: Slot on Isak + Ekitike, Jones fit
- Chelsea: Palmer “okay”, Maresca on Garnacho + Guiu
- Arsenal: Saka, White + Odegaard yet to train, Gyokeres fine, Arteta on Saliba
- Manchester City: Stones training, Pep on Rodri, four out/major doubts
- Newcastle United: Trippier + Schar concerns from Thursday night, Wissa timeline
- Manchester United: Cunha + Mount passed fit, Dalot + Martinez still out
- Tottenham Hotspur: Solanke trains but won’t feature
- Nottingham Forest: Murillo still a doubt, everyone else fit bar Dominguez + Aina
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Strand Larsen trains and could be involved
- Crystal Palace: Wharton + Nketiah fit, Sarr to train from Sunday
- Aston Villa: Tielemans out, Kamara fit
- Brighton and Hove Albion: De Cuyper to be assessed, Wieffer fit, Hinshelwood out
- Everton: Moyes coy on Mykolenko, Branthwaite and other “knocks”
- Bournemouth: Christie fit, Diakite “not 100%” but should be available
- Fulham: Knocks but no major concerns, Iwobi trains
- Sunderland: Ballard + Le Fee should return, O’Nien remains out
FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
🚨 Friday's FPL Press Conferences!
🕊️ 9am – Hurzeler
🍬 9.30am – Moyes
🔴 12pm – Slot
🍒 1pm – Iraola
🧿 1pm – Maresca
🐺 1pm – Pereira
⭕️ 1.30pm – Arteta
🦅 1.30pm – Glasner
⬜️ 1.30pm – Silva
🔵 1.30pm – Guardiola*
👹 1.30pm – Amorim
🌳 1.30pm – Postecoglou
🐈⬛ 1.30pm – Le Bris… pic.twitter.com/bgo8yhF3GX— Fantasy Football Scout (@FFScout) September 19, 2025
LIVERPOOL
Two days after saying Alexander Isak was “not going to play 90 [minutes]” in the Merseyside derby, Arne Slot wouldn’t confirm whether his Swedish striker would start against Everton.
He did, however, suggest that Isak was feeling the effects of his first start of 2025/26, which came against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
“I don’t think I tell the media a lot the day before a game how we start the game. We had a recovery yesterday, we are going to train this afternoon, so first of all we have to see how they all feel.
“What I do know is that Alex did feel his body more maybe than ever before after the 60 minutes he played, so let’s see how he’s recovered today and then we’re gong to think about the line-up.” – Arne Slot
The Liverpool boss also highlighted the very quick turnaround in matches this week.
“We had to play this week three games, which is something we have to do a lot, but it is not many times that you have to do this in seven days. So, Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday is not a schedule you see a lot.
“But it is what it is and we play tomorrow 12.30 kick-off.” – Arne Slot
Asked about whether he would consider playing Isak and Hugo Ekitike together, Slot had the following to say.
“I consider, of course, because you consider many things and it depends always on how well they are doing. So, if both of them are in the best form of their life, you even consider more of playing them together. But it’s also quite clear that we have a certain structure, which has mainly been 4-3-3, playing with three midfielders. But the amount of time the end phase of the game we’ve played with two nines, that has happened quite a lot as well.
“Hugo can indeed also play from the left, different than Cody [Gakpo] or Rio [Ngumoha] do this. So, yeah, we have – and that’s the good thing about our squad – multiple options but first of all, they all have to stay fit for me to have these options. If some of them are not fit, we might have to use them both in a 4-4-2 or [another shape]; that all depends on the form of them and how many players we have available because I think all of them, maybe all of them, are fit now and I think I can choose between 21 players.” – Arne Slot on using Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike together
The only first-team injury concern that Liverpool had ahead of midweek was Curtis Jones, who now looks to be back available.
“He’s back in the fray, in the squad.” – Arne Slot on Curtis Jones
CHELSEA
Enzo Maresca says Cole Palmer is “okay” for the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday, despite the midfielder seeming to feel his troublesome groin in a 90-minute midweek run-out in Munich.
Maresca did say that he has some concerns after the Champions League opener, however.
“Cole is okay. We have a session now. We flew back yesterday, so we need to assess some of the players. We have some doubt. We didn’t do any sessions since Wednesday game and we’ll see after.” – Enzo Maresca on Cole Palmer and the latest Chelsea team news
Elsewhere on the fitness front, Estevao came off the bench in Germany, having missed last weekend’s game due to illness.
Levi Colwill (knee), Dario Essugo (thigh) and Liam Delap (hamstring) are out for the medium to long term. Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended, too.
Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia returned to training over the international break but didn’t feature in Gameweek 4 or in the defeat in Munich.
Away from injuries, Maresca was asked about £4.4m FPL forward Marc Guiu, who has yet to get minutes for the Blues since his recall from a brief loan spell at Sunderland.
“Marc is back. The reason why he’s back is because the intention is to use him but he needs to do things better, he needs to improve things. And for sure, we’re going to use him.” – Enzo Maresca on Marc Guiu
The Chelsea boss also fielded a question about Alejandro Garnacho‘s readiness to start.
“In the last two games, he was inside very good. He came in very good in the second half against Brentford and the other day against Bayern Munich. We are happy in the way he is adapting our style, what we want from the winger. Now, if he’s ready to start tomorrow? Yeah, I think he’s ready to start.” – Enzo Maresca on Alejandro Garnacho
ARSENAL
Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Ben White (unspecified) and Martin Odegaard (shoulder) all remain doubts for the Manchester City game – but Mikel Arteta, predictably, wouldn’t rule them in or out.
“If there is a chance [for Sunday], it will be after tomorrow’s sessions because they haven’t done anything yet. So, we’ll have more information tomorrow.” – Mikel Arteta on Messrs Saka, White and Odegaard
Two Gunners who definitely are unavailable are Kai Havertz (knee) and Gabriel Jesus (knee).
And at least there was clarity over Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino, who suffered head injuries in the match against Athletic Club in midweek.
“They are fine, they will be available.” – Mikel Arteta on Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino
William Saliba (ankle) returned to the matchday squad for that Champions League clash in Bilbao and could challenge for a start.
“Let’s see [if he’ll start]. Obviously, he has been carrying an injury. He’s done really well to be available for the last match. He is really pushing it, so we will decide tomorrow.” – Mikel Arteta on William Saliba
MANCHESTER CITY
Pep Guardiola wasn’t asked about injuries after the win over Napoli on Thursday but it’d be major surprise to see Omar Marmoush (knee), Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle) or Mateo Kovacic (Achilles). Rayan Cherki (thigh) is also confirmed as out until October.
All four missed the Champions League opener, which came three days before City take on Arsenal in Gameweek 5, and they weren’t seen in training before then.
John Stones (muscle) was back on the grass ahead of the Napoli game but didn’t play a part.
Rodri got through an hour against the Italian side, his second start this week, and Guardiola was asked about whether the Spaniard could go again against Arsenal.
“It’s a good question. I don’t know yet. But he was so smart. I know [against Napoli] the result was not over, and 1-0 is always tricky, but if he doesn’t feel good… and feel not comfortable, then it’s better [to bring him off].
“We’ll see day by day. The important thing is he played already two games. Yesterday, for example, in the training schedule he didn’t feel comfortable, and he didn’t train good, but said, ‘No, no. I will be fine tomorrow’ and he played extraordinary like Rodri does.
“With him on the pitch, we feel more comfortable. But of course he came from a tough injury, and we have to be alert. We will decide on Sunday how he feels.” – Pep Guardiola on Rodri
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Fabian Schar (head) and Kieran Trippier (knock) are concerns after exiting the field of play in Newcastle’s defeat to Barcelona on Thursday.
With Eddie Howe giving us his Gameweek 5 press conference straight after full-time on Thursday night, he couldn’t offer us much in the way of an update.
“I’ve got no sort of information for you there [on why Schar initially continued before coming off]. I’m in the hands of the doctors, really, in that moment. The only message I got was that he was okay to continue [initially] and I don’t really know any more, other than that.
“And Kieran, same. I’ve not had a chance to speak to anybody yet.” – Eddie Howe
Schar however seems to have confirmed a concussion on his social media page.
Elsewhere, Yoane Wissa (knee) will be out until after the October international break. Jacob Ramsey (ankle) is on a similar timeline of recovery.
“We think he’ll be out until the next international break. He’s sort of got a race on to be fit for that Brighton game [in Gameweek 8].” – Eddie Howe on Yoane Wissa
Anthony Gordon serves the final match of his three-game domestic ban this Sunday, meanwhile.
Nick Woltemade and Jacob Murphy were on the bench against Barcelona, with Howe explaining his reasoning after full-time.
“It was a really difficult one for Nick [Woltemade]. Of course, any player would want to start every game, but I’ve got to try and manage him into the team and try and make sure he stays fit. And I think that was always at the heart of this decision. Of course, knowing that we have Anthony [Gordon] suspended as well for the next game.
“And it’s the same with Jacob [Murphy]. He’s nursing an Achilles problem and we just want to keep the majority of the squad fit and available for as many games as possible.” – Eddie Howe
MANCHESTER UNITED
There’s a double boost for Manchester United as both Matheus Cunha (hamstring) and Mason Mount (unknown) are back in the squad for the visit of Chelsea.
Diogo Dalot (muscle) is still out, however.
Long-term absentee Lisandro Martinez (knee) was pictured back jogging on Wednesday but Gameweek 5 comes too soon for him.
“Dalot is out. Mase is in the squad and Cunha is in the squad. Licha, still out. I think that is it.” – Ruben Amorim
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Dominic Solanke (ankle) is back on the grass but won’t be involved this weekend or in next week’s Carabao Cup clash with Doncaster Rovers.
“The positive thing is that he’s back on the grass, he’s been there for three, four days and is progressing forward, slowly, but forward.
“It’s too early for tomorrow, also too early for Doncaster, but the positive is that he’s on the grass and progressing forward.” – Thomas Frank on Dominic Solanke
Kota Takai (foot) also won’t be available but will start training with the team on Monday.
Radu Dragusin (knee), James Maddison (knee) and Dejan Kulusevski (knee) are out longer term.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Murillo (knock) is still a doubt for the trip to Burnley, having only done individual training since he hobbled off at the Emirates.
“He’s still a doubt. Sort of did some individual work today, we’ll give him a little bit more time. It’s still a little bit sore. It’s just whether he can cope with that, so we’ll delay the decision. But he’s a doubt.
“Thankfully it’s nothing too serious so if he doesn’t make tomorrow, he should definitely be alright for Wednesday.” – Ange Postecoglou on Murillo
Ola Aina (hamstring) is out for around three months, while Nicolas Dominguez (knee) is still sidelined but closing in on a return from a long-term injury.
“Health-wise, everyone else is okay. Nico Dominguez is hopefully getting reintegrated into full team training next week.” – Ange Postecoglou
Loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko is available: he couldn’t feature last weekend because Forest were facing his parent club.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Jorgen Strand Larsen (Achilles) has not only signed a new contract with Wolves but also returned to training.
Thursday was his first session, however, and Vitor Pereira suggested he wasn’t going to last the full game.
“Yesterday [he trained]. Just one training with the team. I hope tomorrow he can help us, of course, not for the 90 minutes but for some period in the game. This is the information that I have from the medical department.” – Vitor Pereira on Jorgen Strand Larsen
CRYSTAL PALACE
Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) and Adam Wharton (muscle) are back in the squad for the short trip to West Ham United.
Ismaila Sarr (muscle) remains out, along with longer-term absentees Chadi Riad (knee) and Cheick Doucoure (knee), but the Senegalese winger should be back in training this weekend.
Walter Benitez has joined the injury list with a dislocated finger.
“We start with the negative: Walter Benítez was injured the day after the [Millwall] game. He dislocated his little finger, and he needs to rest now, so he will miss West Ham and Liverpool. We are hopeful that he can come back after the Liverpool game.
“The positive news is that Adam Wharton and Eddie Nketiah are fit, back in the squad tomorrow. We have no other injuries from the Millwall game, so that’s the positive part.
“I think Adam is fit enough to start. He just missed two weeks, 10 days, and then he started his training on the pitch, and he is with us now for a few days. Eddie is a little bit different because missed more or less the whole pre-season then out for the last six weeks but he looked very good in training today and also on Wednesday, when we had a really intense session. So, let’s see how the game is going, but those players looked very sharp in training.” – Oliver Glasner
Glasner had said in midweek that Jean-Philippe Mateta “needs a break” and was asked whether Nketiah’s recovery would help with that, as Mateta is starting every game at home and abroad at present.
“Not just games, every single minute. As a striker, sometimes after 60-70 mintues you are very exhuasted, you have to work a lot. Then you bring in fresh legs, it makes it all the more difficult for the defenders because defenders get fatigued as well. Therefore it’s good having Eddie back but not just for this reason.” – Oliver Glasner on Jean-Philippe Mateta
ASTON VILLA
Youri Tielemans picked up a calf injury last weekend and will be out for 1-2 weeks.
Ross Barkley (personal), Andres Garcia (unknown) and Amadou Onana (hamstring) also remain sidelined but Boubacar Kamara (hamstring) made a return to action in the clash with the Bees and is available.
Victor Lindelöf sat out the game in west London with a “small injury” but hopes to recover for the trip to Sunderland.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Maxim De Cuyper has escaped serious injury despite his collision with the advertising hoardings in Gameweek 4 and could even be fit this weekend.
“With Maxim [De Cuyper], luckily, it’s not that bad. So, we have to see, he might be available for the game. It’s not a big injury, it was just a hit, and hopefully he will be back soon.” – Fabian Hurzeler
Fabian Hurzeler did talk of Ferdi Kadioglu marking Mohammed Kudus this weekend, however, and De Cuyper wasn’t seen in the midweek training gallery.
“He played a really good game against Bournemouth when he came in. He had really good actions. He was defensively very strong in the one-against-one duels against Semenyo. So, there will be another challenge tomorrow against Kudus.” – Fabian Hurzeler on Ferdi Kadioglu
Jack Hinshelwood (ankle) hasn’t quite been so lucky with the injury he picked up at Bournemouth, however. He joins Adam Webster (knee) and Solly March (knee) on the sidelines.
“Jack [Hinshelwood] will be out for a longer time.
“He has a ligament injury in his ankle. It happened in a very unlucky way but that’s football, we have to accept it.” – Fabian Hurzeler
Diego Gomez (illness) and Mats Wieffer (knee) are fit, at least.
“Mats Wieffer is back. He’s an option, he’s available.” – Fabian Hurzeler
EVERTON
David Moyes wasn’t giving much away on the team news front ahead of the Merseyside derby.
Vitalii Mykolenko (unspecified) and Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring) are his only two named concerns, and he wouldn’t rule either of them in or out.
Moyes also suggested there are “a couple of other knocks within the camp”.
“Look, [Branthwaite and Mykolenko] are making progress and we’ll see. We’ve got a couple of other knocks within the camp but we’ll see how they are.
“We have a squad of players and you hope that the players who you give the opportunities to [when there are injuries] can hang on to the jersey. I thought Michael [Keane] has done great for us in the games he’s played, so long may that continue.” – David Moyes
BOURNEMOUTH
Bafode Diakite (soreness) and Ryan Christie (knock) both missed the Gameweek 4 win over Brighton and Hove Albion but have recovered well.
Christie will “definitely” feature, while Diakite should be available, too.
“I think we are going to recover definitely Ryan Christie. He is training well, no problems.
“Bafode is also training, I wouldn’t say 100% but I expect him to be available also.” – Andoni Iraola
Adam Smith (hamstring) and Enes Unal (knee) remain out.
“I wouldn’t expect him before the international break.” – Andoni Iraola on Adam Smith
Everyone else is fit.
FULHAM
Fulham have no serious concerns ahead of the Brentford game.
Marco Silva reported “some knocks”, with Alex Iwobi among those affected, but even the Nigerian has trained and the Cottagers will assess his “reaction”.
“No fresh news really. Some knocks from the last game but nothing really serious or from the sessions. Nothing really serious that can make us think about changing something special related with the injury.” – Marco Silva
“Like I said, it’s like a knock. He trained this morning. Let’s see how he is going to be, the reaction from the knock, but nothing really showed us that it can be any serious problem. Let’s see the reaction from the session today.” – Marco Silva on Alex Iwobi
Silva added that he was taking time with Antonee Robinson after a long-term lay-off but said that the full-back would get more minutes either this weekend or in the Carabao Cup next week.
“We are giving him the time, enough time, for him to get that confidence that he needed to play.
“Soon he is going to start to have more minutes because we need him to have more minutes. Let’s see if it’s going to be tomorrow or it’s going to be in the next Carabao Cup game.” – Marco Silva on Antonee Robinson
SUNDERLAND
Romaine Mundle (hamstring), Dennis Cirkin (wrist) and Leo Hjelde (Achilles) remain out.
Luke O’Nien (shoulder) also isn’t quite ready, despite previous hopes that he might be fit for the Aston Villa game.
Dan Ballard (groin) and Enzo Le Fee (unknown) will “probably” be available, however.
We didn’t get an update on Aji Alese (shoulder), who was on a similar schedule to O’Nien.
