The Premier League returns after a long break, caused by the international break and the FA Cup quarter-finals, and there are many clubs missing key players, including Arsenal
Bukayo Saka is one of Arsenal’s doubts for their game against Bournemouth(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The Premier League returns this weekend after a lengthy break, with Arsenal looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.
It’s been three weeks since the last gameweek, with the international break and then the FA Cup giving clubs a chance to take stock. Roberto De Zerbi will take charge of Tottenham for the first time this weekend, while Arsenal host Bournemouth in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Things begin with a relegation clash between West Ham and Wolves on Friday night, though, while Chelsea versus Manchester City is another highlight on Sunday.
Here, Mirror Football takes you through the team news for all 20 clubs, highlighting the key injuries that could affect things.
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AFC Bournemouth
The Cherries face league leaders Arsenal on Saturday and will be without Lewis Cook and Justin Kluivert, but have been boosted by the return to fitness of Ben Gannon-Doak, Tyler Adams, Junior Kroupi and Alex Jimenez.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta kept his cards close to his chest in his pre-match press conference, but did confirm the return of Eberechi Eze from a calf injury.
Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie and Martin Odegaard were all absent from Thursday’s training session and all we got from Arteta was: “Yeah there have been changes there since yesterday.” Mikel Merino remains a long-term absentee.
Aston Villa
Villa face a trip to Nottingham Forest will likely be without Jadon Sancho, who is two weeks into a three-week recovery from a shoulder injury. Boubacar Kamara is out for the rest of the season, but Alysson is back training with the side.
Brentford
Rico Henry and Vitaly Janelt are both unavailable for their game against Everton, while Aaron Hickey is also a major doubt. Joshua Dasilva, Antoni Milambo and Fabio Carvalho are long-term absentees for the Bees.
Brighton
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk is suspended, after picking up 10 yellow cards, but Jack Hinshelwood has recovered from the issue that saw him withdraw from England under-21 duty. Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas remain on the sidelines in the long term.
Burnley
Plenty of issues for Scott Parker ahead of their game against Brighton. Jordan Beyer, Josh Laurent, Mike Tresor, Hannibal Mejbri, Connor Roberts, Zeki Amdouni and Josh Cullen have all been ruled out. Axel Tuanzebe will have a late fitness test, having been away on international duty – and partying after their World Cup qualification – with DR Congo.
Chelsea
Liam Rosenior confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Enzo Fernandez won’t play as a punishment for his comments during the international break. Reece James is fighting to get fit, but won’t feature against Manchester City. Levi Colwill, Jamie Gittens, Trevoh Chalobah, Filip Jorgensen and Mykhailo Mudryk are all ruled out.
Crystal Palace
Evann Guessand is a doubt after taking a knock in the last Palace game, Cheick Doucoure is unavailable this weekend and Eddie Nketiah has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Everton
Jack Grealish remains out after undergoing surgery while Carlos Alcaraz isn’t ready to play. Illiman Ndiaye has been passed fit by David Moyes.
Fulham
Kenny Tete, Harrison Reed and Kevin are all unavailable for Fulham’s trip to Anfield on Saturday.
Leeds
Anton Stach, Joe Rodon and Dan James have all been ruled out of Monday’s game against Manchester United by Daniel Farke, while Noah Okafor, Jaka Bijol and Gabriel Gudmundsson are doubts due to knocks.
Liverpool
Alisson is not ready to return in goal, meaning Giorgi Mamardashvili will continue in his stead. Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Conor Bradley are the only other missing players, with Alexander Isak now back fit and having come off the bench in the 2-0 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola says that both Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias are making good progress on their returns from injury, but are not ready yet. However, John Stones is closer and has returned to partial training.
Manchester United
Harry Maguire is suspended following his red card in the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth. Patrick Dorgu has returned to individual training but is not ready to face Leeds. Matthijs de Ligt is still out.
United have been away in Ireland this week on a four-day training camp, which included Lisandro Martinez, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo. Michael Carrick will give updates on their situations in a pre-match press conference.
Newcastle
Bruno Guimaraes is ill and will miss the trip to Crystal Palace this weekend. He’s joined by defenders Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth on the sidelines. However, Lewis Miley is back training and will be in contention for selection.
Nottingham Forest
Forest will be without Jair Cunha, Willy Boly, Nicolo Savona and John Victor when they play Villa on Sunday afternoon.
Sunderland
Jocelin Ta Bi, Romaine Mundle, Bertrand Traore and Simon Moore are all unavailable for the Black Cats’ game against Tottenham on Sunday, while Dan Ballard and Nilson Angulo are not quite fit enough to feature. First-choice goalkeeper Robin Roefs could make his return after a period on the sidelines.
Tottenham
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will not be fit yet after his hernia surgery, which means Antonin Kinsky will start for the first time since being hauled off by Igor Tudor against Atletico Madrid. Mathys Tel is a doubt.
Mohammed Kudus has suffered a setback in his recovery and is unavailable along with Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies, Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Wilson Odobert.
West Ham
Jean-Clair Todibo and Callum Wilson have made the bench after an injury. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has also started on the bench after returning late from international duty. Crysencio Summerville is fit enough to start.
Wolves
Matt Doherty is unavailable to play West Ham due to a niggle and Sam Johnstone has a shoulder injury.
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