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Arsenal’s collywobbles could get yet worse if Manchester City win at Newcastle on Saturday evening. Newcastle’s manager Eddie Howe has been speaking to the press this morning. Anthony Gordon got four goals against Qarabag on Wednesday: “Every player has a preference on positions. He’d probably prefer to play down the middle and lead the line because you have much more freedom.
“Ant has really good qualities in that position, especially his pressing intensity and understanding of when to do it is at the highest level.
“The Champions League has certainly got the best out of him and long may it continue.”
Carrick on Mainoo
Jamie Jackson
Michael Carrick has offered insight into how he is managing Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old was not started in Manchester United’s first 20 Premier League games by Ruben Amorim. But Carrick, who has replaced the sacked Portuguese as the interim head coach, has selected the midfielder in his first five games in charge and not overloaded him with instructions.
“We haven’t really got started in any of that because we’re just letting him go and find his flow and find his rhythm of playing football again,” Carrick told the BBC’s Football Interview. “Trust in what he is – he’s a fantastic footballer and he’s got a huge talent.”
Regarding being appointed last month, Carrick said: “Yeah it was a nice thing to hear. I was quite calm about it actually. I don’t know why. It just felt right. It just felt quite normal.”
He called his wife, Lisa Roughead. “It wasn’t the case of me coming off the phone and shouting and screaming and celebrating on the motorway. I just called my wife and said: ‘This is what’s happening. This is where we’re at.’”
Let’s remind ourselves of the Premier League table.
Big game for West Ham on Saturday, when they face Bournemouth. Nuno Espirito Santo spoke to a press conference on Thursday. The Hammers, in 18th, have Tottenham and Nottingham Forest in their sights:
“I see the players every day, training and preparing themselves. What I have realised is that they have got the commitment, and the desire to get out of this situation. You can see that desire every day,
“We see them work, getting ready for the game, speaking to each other and helping each other. This togetherness is what we want and need. We need character and I think we have shown character in tough circumstances.”
A good night in the Europa League and Conference League for English teams.
Less so Celtic, ouch.
Here’s our usual weekend preview digest.
The weekend’s Premier League fixtures:
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Aston Villa v Leeds, Sat 3pm
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Brentford v Brighton ,Sat 3pm
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Chelsea v Burnley, Sat 3pm
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West Ham v Bournemouth, Sat 3pm
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Manchester City v Newcastle, Saturday 8pm
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Nottingham Forest v Liverpool, Sunday 2pm
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Crystal Palace v Wolves, Sunday 2pm
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Sunderland v Fulham, Sunday 2pm
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Tottenham v Arsenal, Sunday, 4.30pm
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Everton v Manchester United, Monday 8pm
Preamble
Good morning, football. Welcome to our rolling preview of the weekend’s action, with manager press conferences to come, and buildup to Sunday’s North London derby. the word is out: we have a title race on our hands.
Join us.
