Cesc Fabregas has compared the Arsenal team to European champions Spain. Fabregas, who helped his national side to glory at Euro 2008, said: "The Spanish side has very, very good players. I enjoy playing with them and there are definitely comparisons with Arsenal, although it's a bit quicker with my club. The emphasis with Spain is maybe more on keeping the ball while at Arsenal we're committed to playing on the counter and looking for attacking solutions all the time. The players are similar as they're technically good and very creative."

 Brad Friedel reckons Stiliyan Petrov will be a key player from a defensive viewpoint this season. He said: "The defensive unit received a lot of praise after the 0-0 with Liverpool but I think Stiliyan Petrov deserves real credit too. Defending is not only about a goalkeeper and four defenders. It starts from the front. Stiliyan is exceptional at breaking up the opponent's attack at source, before it reaches the back four."

 England Under-21 striker Matt Derbyshire has pulled out of this Friday's European Championship qualifier against Portugal. The player picked up a groin injury in training.

 New loan signing Ebi Smolarek will wear the number 10 shirt this season. The number was previously allocated to Abdoulaye Meite, but the Ivory Coast international moved to West Bromwich Albion last month. The likes of Jay Jay Okocha, Dean Holdsworth and John McGinlay have all worn the shirt.

  Jose Bosingwa says he has made a smooth transition into life at Stamford Bridge following his summer move from Porto. "It is always easier to go to a club where you have people that you know so I was very pleased when I heard that Mr Scolari would be the manager and Deco would be my team-mate," he said. "It was much, much easier to come here and know there were other Portuguese players who play here for about three or four years. They make it easier for you. They know where everything is, they know how things stand, they know the club."

  Louis Saha has revealed he offered to forgo his wages until he makes his debut. The injury plagued striker, who joined from Manchester United, has been suffering with a knee cartilage problem throughout the summer and will be out for another three or four weeks at least. "It was something I did offer them but in the end it didn't happen," said Saha. "I'd had a few setbacks and it was very frustrating, and I made the offer because that is my type of mentality."

 Reserve team manager Billy McKinlay reflected on the positives after the 3-1 loss at home to Portsmouth this week. "The performance was really pleasing considering we had such a young team out against a very experienced Portsmouth team," he said. "The scoreline doesn't reflect the way the game panned out, especially in the second half when we were outstanding."

 Several players have been called up by their countries ahead of the upcoming internationals. Boaz Myhill, Sam Ricketts [both Wales], Richard Garcia [Australia], Peter Halmosi [Hungary], Paul McShane [Ireland], Kamil Zayatte [Guinea] and Daniel Cousin [Gabon] are all primed for action with their respective nations.

 Gerardo Bruna, the 17-year-old who joined the club from Real Madrid a year ago, has revealed that fellow countryman Fernando Torres has helped him settle at Anfield. "Everyone in the team has helped me, but Fernando has also given me some good advice," said Bruna, who found the transition difficult at first. "Obviously he comes from Madrid, which is where I was playing. He told me not to worry about things too much and to stay calm. I was glad to have this advice - I really appreciated it."

 A young side won their first Barclays Premier Reserve League match of the season. David Ball, Chris Ramsey and Paul Marshall scored in a 3-2 win over Wigan Athletic.

 Rio Ferdinand has injured his back while on England duty and could miss his country's World Cup qualifier against Andorra on Saturday. Club mate Wes Brown could step in, but England are already without United's Owen Hargreaves (knee) and Michael Carrick (ankle), while Wayne Rooney should start in attack.

 First team coach Steve Agnew believes Middlesbrough have the firepower to achieve success this season. Agnew said: "There does feel to be a buzz around the place, whether that's because we have so much pace, attacking flair and energy in the team I don't know, but there's a great feeling around the stadium. It's always pleasing for the attacking players to score goals. It's massively important that Alves and Tuncay got off the mark and Stewart's [Downing] in a rich vein of form and I'm sure he'll be scoring goals for us in the very near future."

 Newcastle United's Spanish new boy Xisco admits he cannot wait to play in front of the St James' Park faithful. "I have heard already about the supporters of Newcastle and about how passionate they are and I cannot wait to make my debut here in front of them," he said. "It is a beautiful stadium and I can only imagine what it will be like when it is full."

 Peter Crouch has been credited with the third goal in last weekend's 3-0 victory over Everton after Pompey took advice from the Premier League. Jermain Defoe had chipped Toffees keeper Tim Howard, hit the bar and the ball bounced down before Crouch headed over the line. It was thought Defoe's effort had crossed the line.

 Stoke City's reserves suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to a strong Aston Villa outfit. Nathan Delfouneso gave Villa the lead before Stoke's new signing Danny Higginbotham equalised for the hosts. Isaiah Osbourne then grabbed the winning goal for Villa. 

 Pascal Chimbonda believes the Black Cats can be a force to be reckoned with once the new signings bed in. "It takes time, maybe two or three games more, before everyone will work each other out," said the defender. "After that, I think we will do something. We don't have stars here, we have good players and a good manager so it is a good recipe, I really believe we can do well."

 Chris Gunter was thrilled to be back in the Tottenham Hotspur side for last weekend's 1-1 draw with Chelsea - his first league start since his debut in January. He said: "I felt nervous and excitement - you want to play in these games. To start at places like Chelsea and play in games like this is what I want to do. I'm pleased to have got on the pitch and to have played quite well."

 Filipe Teixeira plans to return to light training after recovering from cruciate ligament damage to his left knee. "Filipe will be back in this week," said manager Tony Mowbray. "He had a consultation with the specialist out in Portugal who's been overseeing his rehab. We hope he gets permission to get back into light training this week. I would hope he'll be back on the training ground next week. It's too early to set a comeback date. We'll see how he is."

 The club have announced the double signing of Torino striker David Di Michele and Toulouse left-back Herita Ilunga, subject to registration at the Premier League. The late announcement comes as a result of 'certain formalities' that needed to be completed before the deal could be confirmed. The Hammers are also in talks with Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah, who is able to sign outside of the transfer window as he is a free agent. 

 Latics youngster Luke Ashworth made his first senior appearance while on loan at Leyton Orient in their 4-2 win over Southend in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Section tie. The defender signed a pro contract with Wigan Athletic in the summer.