Football news live: Tonali available for Newcastle, Ten Hag shuts down Sancho question, Robertson set for long lay off

Arteta knew Chelsea would come good

Mikel Arteta believes it was only a matter of time before Chelsea started to show their true potential under Mauricio Pochettino.

After a slow start to life under the Argentine, the Blues have won back-to-back Premier League games.

And Arteta is now expecting Chelsea to rise up the table.

He said: "The manager, the coaching staff, the history, the players and the squad that they have.

"It's [improvement] going to happen. I think it has happened very quickly, but not only the last three results.

"I think they've deserved more points and results than what they already have, so you can see they are going to be up there."

Bukayo Saka and William Saliba updates

Bukayo Saka missed Arsenal's 1-0 win over Manchester City before the international break after limping off against Lens with a hamstring injury.

Plus, William Saliba withdrew from the France squad due to a 'chronic toe problem'.

But Mikel Arteta refused to confirm if either player would be available in his pre-match press conference.

He said: "I am sure he [Saka] wants to play.

"He's [Saliba] been carrying that injury for weeks and we have to use that time to settle and we believe that was the best moment to do it.

"It depends on how able he is to train today [if he will be involved against Chelsea]."

Arteta wants more from Ramsdale

Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the press ahead of Arsenal's Premier League game against Chelsea.

He was asked about Aaron Ramsdale's recent interview and explained that the England international must work to regain his spot from David Raya.

He said: "It's not easy for any player when he's not playing as much as he would like to.

"The only way to do it is to worker harder, show passion and contribute to the team in a different way.

"When you get the opportunity, do your best and try to help the team win the game."

Festive fixtures

Christmas could be coming early for some fans with Premier League matches live on TV a possibility this season.

A match hasn't been played on the day before Christmas in England's top flight since 1995, however, it's claimed that could change 28 years on.

The  reports that proposals to move the first match to December 24 were raised this week.

The report adds that TV scheduling discussions will be finalised on Friday.

TV scheduling plans and kick-off times are frequently amended due to demands from broadcasters, local authorities and other competition commitments.

However, the prospect of moving a match to Christmas Eve has always been contentious, bearing in mind the struggles away fans could encounter.

Gakpo back

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has returned to training with the squad which could put him in contention for the weekend's Merseyside derby.

The Netherlands international missed the club's last two matches - plus Holland's games - with a knee injury sustained in the controversial defeat at Tottenham.

However, the 24-year-old was involved in ball work with his team-mates as the squad reassembled at the club's AXA training complex.

That's all folks!

That's it for today on marvelbet369.com's football news blog. We'll be back in the morning with the latest on all the big football stories.

Camera shy

Jadon Sancho has been omitted from Manchester United's latest squad photo amid his row with Erik ten Hag.

The United winger has had a major fallout with Ten Hag, effectively calling him a liar after the Dutchman gave his reasons for leaving him out of the squad to face Arsenal last month.

It has led to Sancho being left out of every subsequent squad while he is not even allowed to train with the first team.

And the latest omission from team activities might be the cruellest having been left out of the official squad photo.

It is the first time since the 2014/15 season that United have taken an in-person squad photo, taking place at the club's Carrington training complex.

A video was posted to United's official TikTok account of all the players gathering for the photo but there was no sign of Sancho.

Top boy

Cristiano Ronaldo's son, Cristiano Jr, has signed for Al Nassr Under-13s, it has been reported.

The eldest child of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been part of the academies at Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United while his dad was playing for them.

And now he joins Ronaldo's current club, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Romano adds that Cristiano Jr will begin training with the Saudi Arabian club in the next few days and will wear the No.7 jersey, the number his dad wears and has done throughout his career.

Juve statement

Juventus have pledged their support for midfielder Nicolo Fagioli after he was banned for seven months for breaching betting rules.

Fagioli had five months of a one-year ban suspended this week and was fined €12,500 (£10,848), while he agreed to a therapy plan of at least six months to tackle his gambling problem.

Juventus said in a statement: "The club has noted the official press release from the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) and confirms its full support for Nicolo Fagioli in tackling this path, providing the player with the necessary support in carrying out the indicated therapeutic plan and, as expressly provided for in the agreement, collaborating with the Federation to outline the scheduled appointments.

"We are firmly convinced that Nicolo, with the support of the club, his team-mates, his family and the professionals who will assist him, will face the therapeutic and training process with a great sense of responsibility and, once the disqualification has been served, will be able to return to competing with due serenity."

The 22-year-old was one of several players named last week who were being investigated by the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office and the FIGC as part of an Italian football betting probe.

Newcastle confirmed midfielder Sandro Tonali was fully co-operating with the enquiry, while Aston Villa forward Nicolo Zaniolo, on loan from Galatasaray, is also being investigated.

Tonali and Zaniolo were both withdrawn from Italy's training camp this week while Fagioli, who has one senior international cap, was not part of their squad for Saturday's win over Malta and Tuesday's defeat to England.

Roo better watch out

Birmingham boss Wayne Rooney has paid tribute to Jude Bellingham's rise from the club to the superstar of Real Madrid.

“It’s incredible,” says Rooney. “You have to pay him a lot of respect for coming through at Birmingham and taking that gamble, because it was a gamble to go to Dortmund, and show his ability.

“He has gone to the next level at Real Madrid. To start the season the way he has, he is in such a good run of form.

"It will dip at some point and we shouldn’t kill him when that happens. It happens to all players.

"He is certainly one of the best players in the world at the minute.”

Mount-ain to climb

Michael Owen expects Mason Mount to flourish at Manchester United eventually.

Speaking to Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel, Mount explained: "Mason Mount is obviously a top class player.

"I think he is a very good signing.

"Obviously they have paid the 'going rate' and I think it's a decent chunk of money but he is young, he's English, he is going to be there for a very long time and he is obviously a very good player.

"I don't think anyone can complain with that signing, it is a very solid signing and you know what you are going to get."

Chris Basham update

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom has said Chris Basham's horror leg injury will not be career-ending.

"He will come back fit as a fiddle, that won't take long." said Heckingbottom.

"The surgeons are really happy with the work they have done, so there is no reason whatsoever [to believe Basham won't return to action]."

"Everything has gone as well as it can," added Heckingbottom.

"With an injury of that nature, everyone thinks of it because of how freakish it was and how horrible it looks, but you still get surgery and treated the same way."

Arabian Nights

Newcastle are considering shopping in the Saudi Pro League in January if they have to replace Sandro Tonali due to a betting ban.

The Telegraph report that the club are likely to prefer loan deals due to the £55million outlay splashed on the AC Milan midfielder in the summer and former Wolves captain Ruben Neves may be a target.

The Portugese international is now at Al-Hilal and a temporary deal could be possible given both clubs are owned by PIF.

Manchester City misfit Kalvin Phillips and Manchester United’s Scott McTominay are two other names expected to be on their shortlist.

Hollywood story

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have landed a 'cheat code' in the form of Arsenal loanee Arthur Okonkwo.

That is the view of club goalkeeper Mark Howard, who was speaking with Okonkwo on the Yours, Mine, Away! Podcast.

Howard, who started his own career at Arsenal, said: “Now, while we’re on this, can we speak about your jump test because you’re a freak mate.

“We were getting you to do this in the gym the other day and it wasn’t fun, you’re a cheat code in yourself mate.”

Ha la land

Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke believes Manchester City star Erling Haaland is the best striker in the world.

The Dutch youngster performed well up against the talismanic Norwegian last term as the two teams played out a 1-1 draw.

Now speaking ahead of their next meeting on Saturday, Van Hecke said: “It’s all about doing it against the best players and I was really happy that I showed I could play against the best striker in the world and do well. I was buzzing after that game.

“I just kept telling myself (last time) to keep close to him and do not switch off for one moment. That’s what I managed to do and we came out of the game with a draw which of course was so important for us [securing a Europa League spot].”

Live and let Dyche

Sean Dyche has played down his infamous tunnel row with Jurgen Klopp in January 2021.

Dyche was in charge of Burnley when they ended Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten Premier League home run following a late Ashley Barnes penalty.

But Dyche and Klopp had a heated exchange of words in the tunnel after Fabinho was booked for appearing to kick out at Barnes as referee Mike Dean blew for half-time.

The now Everton boss was asked about the incident once again in his press conference for the clash at Liverpool, live on talkSPORT this weekend.

He said: "Every manager should be passionate about what they do. That sort of thing gets blown up. That's the reality as I see it.

"There's not a manager I've fallen out with. I've never had a problem with Jurgen Klopp. There is nothing wrong with showing a bit of passion and commitment to the cause."

On the 777 takeover, Dyche added: "There is no messages, that's a fact. Regarding the takeover, it's the same. All these things take a lot of time."

Inside Man United's takeover

talkSPORT's Alex Crook has taken a deep dive into Manchester United's takeover.

You can find out the story behind the saga below as Sir Jim Ratcliffe closes in on becoming a partial owner of the club...

Gianfranco-oh-no!

Gianfranco Zola couldn't help but laugh at himself as he listened back to his Jude Bellingham comment, live on talkSPORT.

The Chelsea legend went viral earlier this week after England secured qualification for Euro 2024 during an interview with Bellingham.

The midfielder spoke to Channel 4 after the game, and Zola took the chance to let him know just how impressive he was for his age.

However, things didn't quite go to plan for Zola, leaving everyone in stitches as he joked he was 'still drinking milk from his mum' at Bellingham's age.

The 57-year-old joined talkSPORT Breakfast on Thursday, but before getting down to talking about football with hosts Alan Brazil and Gabby Agbonlahor, the talkSPORT team decided to play the hilarious moment back to Zola.

Bridge too far

In an exclusive column for marvelbet369.com, Mark Goldbridge explains how to fix Manchester United with the club no longer a top six side.

Right, Manchester United's Premier League season so far… Tenth in the league, and I think that's where they deserve to be.

It's hard to say that, but there are nine teams better than them.

I believe Crystal Palace are above Manchester United, they beat Manchester United, and Aston Villa, Brighton, Newcastle and certainly Spurs are all better.

And that's the challenge Manchester United have right now. The club will talk about injuries, but I think that was blatantly obvious that was going to happen.

It was a very demanding season last year, it was a very demanding pre-season, and players just can't keep going three times a week, season after season.

Man United no longer top six side - they need a 'cheat code' like rivals to compete again

Sticky Toffee

Everton have been warned that they aren't out of the relegation equation yet.

“I still think they’re not out of it,” Scott Minto said live on talkSPORT.

“And I say this with the greatest of respect, this is a season where you would expect Luton and Sheffield United to go down, so really you’re just trying to avoid one place.

“And yet I still don’t see Everton being out of the equation as yet, I don’t.”

Hammer blow

Chelsea failed with a ‘ridiculous’ offer to sign Mohammed Kudus, reveals the West Ham star's agent.

The Ghanaian's agent has revealed that the Blues did not follow up their initial offer, which was in the region of £17.4million to £23.2m, before he left Ajax for the Hammers in a £35.6m deal plus add-ons.

"He [Kudus] wanted to leave, there weren’t 50,000 clubs who needed a midfielder and could afford him," Jennifer Mendelewitsch told RMC Sport.

She added: "We reached an agreement with Chelsea, we agreed contractually with Chelsea but the deal did not happen. He spoke with the coach [Mauricio Pochettino] but in the end it didn’t happen. It didn’t happen because Chelsea made a ridiculous offer to Ajax.

"There was no counter-offer that followed. Actually, Chelsea did this to a lot of players this summer with very low offers to clubs knowing they wouldn’t be accepted.

"The truth is that they were completely taken by the transfer of [Moises] Caicedo which used all their energy.

"Then at a contractual level, it was a big contract but there is the other side of the coin which is these are such long contracts because of Financial Fair Play.

"But that’s not the choice the player made. I think that in any case, from a sporting point of view, it would’ve been complicated for him. The circumstances weren’t all right but when a club like Chelsea comes it’s hard to refuse."

Gak back in attack

Liverpool have been handed a huge boost ahead of the Merseyside derby with Cody Gakpo pictured back in training today.

The Dutchman hurt himself as he netted Liverpool's equaliser in their eventual 2-1 defeat to Tottenham at the start of the month.

Gakpo has now stepped up his recovery from a knee issue after he was pictured out running with the rest of his teammates.

In a further boost to Liverpool ahead of the derby against Everton, live on talkSPORT, their South American contingent all trained as well.

Jurgen Klopp was also keen to cast a closer eye on academy duo James McConell and Trent Doherty who both made the stepup to train with the first team.

But there was no sight of Andrew Robertson, who dislocated his shoulder on international duty with Scotland last week.

Chew beauty

Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino has confirmed he will try to reuinite Luis Suarez with Lionel Messi.

The pair shared a dressing room together for six-years during their Barcelona days, winning four LaLiga titles and a Champions League crown among other trophies.

Suarez, who was heavily linked with a move to the MLS in the summer, is set to become a free agent when his spell at Gremio ends in December.

"Within our analysis of the upcoming season, and the needs we may have, we have an analysis with Luis and an analysis without Luis," Martino said at a press conference, via Goal.

"So when the moment arrives to make Suarez’s situation with respect to Inter Miami official, we’ll be prepared to go in the corresponding direction."