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All the key lines from Friday's press conferences

20 Sep 2024
Howe, Guardiola, Iraola

See what Guardiola, Arteta, Slot, Postecoglou and more had to say ahead of Matchweek 5

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Catch up with all the team news and main talking points from the Premier League managers’ media briefings.

Pep Guardiola (Man City)

On whether he is playing mind games with Arsenal over the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne: "No, I am not good on that, [De Bruyne] feels a bit better today. Tomorrow we're training and we'll see. He could be involved."

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On what is at stake on Sunday: "Nothing more than the mood over the next few games. In this early stage of the season."

Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)

On facing champions Man City and the prospect of three away matches in six days: "We’ve been preparing for this since pre-season. Obviously, we knew the schedule and we knew that it’s extremely rare to play in these conditions with three massive away games in six days, but it was what it was so we have prepared for that, both physically, mentally and tactically.

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On importance of squad depth: "We’re making sure that everyone is ready for it because we’re going to need them, especially with the injuries that we had from the international break."

Arne Slot (Liverpool)

On bouncing back from last weekend's home defeat to Nottingham Forest: "There were more things that we weren't happy about than all the other games we've played. I prefer to play against a low block actually as you have more ball possession."

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On expecting a tough match against AFC Bournemouth: “They were aggressive here last season and scored a goal from a high press. We expect the same.”

On Alisson's availability: “He has a slight issue with one of his muscles, and we wonder if this game is coming too early or not."

Unai Emery (Aston Villa) 

On whether he will rotate his team following Villa's UEFA Champions League win at Young Boys: "It depends, but we had last year a very good experience playing in the Conference League. Of course, the Champions League is, at the beginning, more difficult. But the experience we had last year playing a lot of matches is good for this year and it depends on how the players are after each game. Tomorrow I am playing those who will be better tactically, physically as well, and mentally to play."

Eddie Howe (Newcastle)

On Alexander Isak's availability and the possibility of Anthony Gordon playing as a No 9 against Fulham: “It was a strange one with his [Isak's] eye, the ball just grazed it. We felt at the time that was the main reason for him coming off the pitch. Callum Wilson won't make the game. That leaves Anthony [Gordon], who did a really good job against Wolves, and Will Osula, who has done really well since he's been with us."

Nuno Espirito Santo (Nott'm Forest)

On whether Nott'm Forest can win a fifth consecutive away match at Brighton & Hove Albion: “Our expectation is exactly the same. Our expectation is to prepare well, to compete well on Sunday, step by step, each game at a time, each training session is important, this is our expectation. There is no other way to play the game, whatever you did in the last game doesn’t mean anything, it’s what you have to do in the next one."

Enzo Maresca (Chelsea) 

On protecting Cole Palmer after breakthrough 2023/24 season: "The reason why Cole, Wes Fofana and Romeo Lavia are out of the squad in Conference League is to protect them a little bit. For Cole, it's a mix in terms of it's been an intense season for him last year. We are trying to protect him."

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Gary O'Neil (Wolves) 

On how Saturday's derby at Villa Park is a perfect opportunity to kick-start the season: "I despise losing as the fans do, but my job is to get the team ready for what is next. I allow myself time to recover from a tough defeat and Newcastle was tough, but games come quick and we need to be ready. I don't shirk away from my responsibility."

Ange Postecoglou (Spurs) 

On media reports that suggest he is under pressure after a slow start to the season: "I know I will not be here forever but I work like I will be. Every decision I make is made off that backdrop. If you get caught in timeline scenarios, you make results that short-term might feel good, but long-term you will not get to where you want."

Thomas Frank (Brentford)

On news that striker Yoane Wissa joins a lengthy injury list and could be ruled out for two months: “When it rains, it definitely pours. They are unlucky injuries; they are not because we have trained players too hard or we haven’t made them strong enough. Of the eight players out, probably five would be starting - depending on the opponent. But it is what it is, and we need to deal with it. It’s a big part of a head coach’s job to find those solutions and make the team as competitive as possible.”

Andoni Iraola (AFC Bournemouth) 

On hoping to take advantage of Liverpool's Champions League commitments: "Normally not playing [midweek] is an advantage, but Liverpool are top athletes and we are probably going to face the most physical team in the Premier League. We have to be ready for a challenging game physically, but I think we can match them in this sense."

Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton)

On the importance of creating chances after failing to score at home to Ipswich Town: "My solution is that we need to create some chances, attack the box with more players and change our attitude. We missed a step in not creating more chances against Ipswich and we're trying to work on that."

On Joao Pedro’s fitness: “He will train today with the team, then we have to see how it’s going. If he can train fully, if he can do all the movements. Of course, we won’t take any risks but he will be part of the training today.” 

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Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace) 

On whether midfielder Adam Wharton is likely to play: "We have to manage him. He's not pain-free and some days are better, some days are worse, so he needed the rest. He had the entire game against Leicester and playing three days later just made no sense. He needs this time to rest, but now he’s fit."

Marco Silva (Fulham) 

On the importance of responding positively to midweek EFL Cup exit at Championship side Preston North End: "Tuesday was a little bit of a strange feeling but the teams with character and personality react after bad nights. We had a bad night and now we have to react."

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