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By Fernando Kallas BARCELONA Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that England midfielder Jude Bellingham is ready

Mikel Arteta has called on the Premier League to increase squad sizes as the Arsenal boss lost another two key players through injury. Both Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey face “a few weeks” on the sidelines after Arteta confirmed the pair have suffered setbacks. Arsenal, who remain unbeaten in the league so far this season, host winless Sheffield United on Saturday but Jesus will miss out with a hamstring issue suffered in the midweek Champions League win at Sevilla. Partey is absent having pulled up in training with a muscular injury which the PA news agency understands could rule him out until December. Arteta has already been without a host of players for periods of the campaign with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard needing treatment while summer signing Jurrien Timber is a long-term absentee following knee surgery. Arteta has often criticised footballing authorities for the number of fixtures in the calendar but, with that particular cork out of the bottle, he feels the solution could now lie in the Premier League expanding squad sizes beyond the current limit of 25. “If we have more games, more competitiveness and physically the standards are higher – by playing more minutes – we have to do that or instead of five subs, we have 10,” he said when asked about increasing squad sizes. “The five subs is now something normal but it was a big fight to go from three to five. I cannot imagine the game in the conditions we are in today after last year and the World Cup without five subs, it would be so difficult. “If the calendar extends, for sure we would have to think of not dropping the quality. The only way to do it is players have to have certain availability and you need players to pick.” “When is this going to stop and how long will it take for us to make the right decisions? The laws will change and probably our capacity to do things during games will change as well. We will have to adapt, for sure. “We will need more players. The players have a certain amount of energy. The battery lasts so long and we will burn them. We will need more players if that’s the case. We have to adapt. We try to manage every single thing to control it, but there are things that are difficult to do and we have to accept that Mikel Arteta “There are periods sometimes where you get really unlucky, and sometimes things that are really difficult to prevent. When you are loading players more and there are players who haven’t done it in the past that risk increases. “We try to manage every single thing to control it, but there are things that are difficult to do and we have to accept that.” Martin Odegaard is available and, despite being substituted in the last two games, Arteta is backing his captain to come good. Asked about recent criticism of Odegaard’s performances, Arteta said: “(It’s because) he’s an incredible player and he’s doing so much for us. “He’s our captain. We expect him to step in all the time like with the other players, and this is great because that’s the role that he has. “We have developed him into that player, that person, and now it’s about maintaining and sustaining that level. That’s the challenge.” Read More ‘High chance’ Sandro Tonali plays for Newcastle this weekend despite 10-month ban Mike McMeeken’s move ‘out of comfort zone’ to Catalans earned England recall Ange Postecoglou: Tottenham not a better team without Harry Kane, just different England’s woes at World Cup down to lack of preparation – Sir Geoffrey Boycott How ‘the best ever Scotland team to take the field’ fared at the Rugby World Cup A closer look at Ireland’s World Cup campaign and what the future might hold

A young Aston Villa fan looked set for a tearful night when a steward tore away his banner asking for his favourite player’s shirt – but it turned out better than he could have dreamed. Aston Villa blew away Dutch team AZ Alkmaar at AFAS Stadion on Thursday evening, and one fan was hoping to come away with Moussa Diaby’s shirt. Goals from Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, Ollie Watkins and John McGinn secured a 4-1 victory for Villa. After the game, manager Unai Emery said: “There were 1,000 fans here helping us and we played 90 minutes, being very competitive.” But for the young supporter, things looked set to end on a sour note, after a steward ripped the sign down and binned it. He had even written his message in Diaby’s native French. The fan was seen with his hands over his face crying as another steward went over to console him. One person captured the moment on X/Twitter, saying: “That’s unnecessary from the stewards to throw it in the bin.” Luckily for the boy, things took a turn for the better after news of what had happened made its way to the Aston Villa players. He was able to meet his hero after the game, as Diaby invited him onto the pitch, took a picture with him and gave him the shirt as a gift. The lad was grinning from ear to ear as he got a handshake and an embrace from the Frenchman. It’s the sort of fairytale story the young fan will carry with him for the rest of his life – getting to meet Aston Villa’s star player on a victorious European away night. The club summed it up perfectly, sharing the clip on X/Twitter, with the caption: “This is what it’s all about.” How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Mary Earps was forced to admit it has become “really difficult” to keep all fans happy with the increased attendances and popularity of the sport. The England goalkeeper was criticised for not signing an autograph following Manchester United’s win at Everton on Sunday. The Lionesses throughout the years have frequently stayed behind after games to meet with the supporters in the crowd, but the increased attendances have meant the fans they do meet become a smaller proportion of the total. When asked about the incident, which played out on social media, Earps said: “We love to interact with the fans but it’s at times becoming really difficult to keep everybody happy and to interact with as many people as possible.” "We’re obviously so grateful that thousands and thousands of people want to meet us and come and talk to us, but the reality of it is, if that’s the expectation, we’re always going to fall short. "I think the emphasis on it needs to switch now. We love that we can be so connected, but equally we are subject to a lot of comments and unnecessary [criticism]. At times it’s just an addition to the game that we don’t need." When England played Scotland at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light in September, some fans reportedly chanted for the Lionesses to “get off the bus” and meet them. Earps made headlines throughout the Women’s World Cup in the summer when she commented that her national team goalkeeping shirts were not available to buy for fans. Nike has since released a limited number of replica shirts, which have sold out. Speaking about the shirts she said: "It’s just brilliant for [the young goalkeepers] to have that access and have their own personal shirt," added Earps. "I know there’s going to be more shirts coming at the end of this year so I’m really excited about that as well." Read More Is England vs Belgium on TV? Channel, time and how to watch Lionesses tonight Lauren James to miss England’s games against Belgium with concussion Fran Kirby returns to Lionesses squad as Sarina Wiegman reveals Beth Mead decision

Pep Guardiola distanced Manchester City from the two banned supporters who chanted offensively following the death of Sir Bobby Charlton, insisting the pair “don’t represent us”. Footage emerged on social media of two people, both minors, chanting about Charlton during City’s match against Brighton last weekend, soon after the Manchester United great’s death was announced publicly. City have acted swiftly, denouncing the chanting as “vile”, ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford, where United will hold a minute’s applause before kick-off in memory of Charlton. Guardiola is hopeful the travelling fans will conduct themselves respectfully, as he condemned the behaviour of the two fans who have been suspended from attending City matches home and away. “They don’t represent us,” Guardiola said. “Alcohol makes bad things in people. (City ambassador) Mike Summerbee went to Old Trafford to sign the book (of condolence for Charlton), he represents us. “We have huge respect for Manchester United, especially for the icon of Sir Bobby Charlton. We will be part of the condolences, to Man United and English football.” This weekend will be the first meeting between the rivals since last season’s FA Cup final, when Ilkay Gundogan’s double sealed a 2-1 win for City as they collected a second trophy en route to the treble. With only nine matches gone in the Premier League so far, this derby does not have the same emphasis but it is a fixture that former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola has always enjoyed. “When I was at Barcelona and Bayern Munich and I travelled to England to play against United at Old Trafford, it was always special,” he said. “It is a special place and here it is special for our fans. “The clubs have a good rivalry. The clubs respect each other, no big issues have happened in my eight seasons here. Of course the FA Cup final was special because we wanted to win and win the treble. “But it’s not like an FA Cup final or the last fixtures of the season where winning or losing can define winning the Premier League or not. “There have only been nine fixtures so there are 87 points to play for. It’s another game, we have to be focused to beat them.” City, who will be without suspended defender Manuel Akanji, beat Brighton last weekend to rebound from successive top-flight defeats at Wolves and Arsenal before the international break. They currently sit second, behind Tottenham, but United, who finished third last season, have had a turbulent start to their campaign, losing four times in their first nine fixtures. While City are six points and as many places ahead of United, Guardiola is on his guard after Erik Ten Hag’s side snatched victory in last season’s corresponding showdown. “United have always had that feeling – it doesn’t matter who the manager is – they are a tough, tough opponent,” Guardiola said. “The qualities of the individuals they have, the stadium, the character they have, the momentum. They can score goals, we know the quality they have. Always that has been and always it will be.” Read More Mikel Arteta calls for increased squad sizes as Arsenal suffer fresh injury blow ‘High chance’ Sandro Tonali plays for Newcastle this weekend despite 10-month ban Mike McMeeken’s move ‘out of comfort zone’ to Catalans earned England recall Ange Postecoglou: Tottenham not a better team without Harry Kane, just different England’s woes at World Cup down to lack of preparation – Sir Geoffrey Boycott How ‘the best ever Scotland team to take the field’ fared at the Rugby World Cup

Mikaela Shiffrin has been named “skier of the year” by the federation of ski journalists

Barcelona has been playing without leading scorer Robert Lewandowksi and regular starters Frenkie de Jong, Pedri González and Jules Koundé for the past month because of injuries

WASHINGTON U.S. consumer spending increased more than expected in September, keeping it on a higher growth path heading

How Tottenham have improved under Ange Postecoglou after Harry Kane's exit and whether they are a better team without the England captain.

Jurgen Klopp believes Mohamed Salah still has the body of a young player even as the Egyptian grows wiser with experience. Salah came off the bench to get Liverpool’s final goal in Thursday night’s 5-1 Europa League win over Toulouse, his 43rd European goal for the club – breaking surpassing Thierry Henry’s tally of 42 for Arsenal as the most scored by any Premier League player for a single club in continental competition. It came after the 31-year-old got both goals in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton, which meant that Salah has now scored or assisted in each of his last 13 Premier League games at Anfield. Salah will aim to extend that run when Nottingham Forest visit on Sunday and Klopp is enjoying the spectacle of a maturing player with a more-rounded game, yet one who still has the physical attributes to match anyone. “Off the pitch he behaves like a grown-up man but besides that he’s still a young player,” Klopp said. “He’s so fit. I think if we scan him the majority of the bones are probably 19 or 20 (years old) because he just keeps in such good shape. “(He has) game understanding. That’s what we try to give young players. They all know an awful lot about football when they finish their career at 35 but the earlier you can get this information the more useful it is. “And with Mo he understands the spaces much better, he knows how players react on him and if he cannot score he can still be a threat for us and that’s super important… I cannot compare Mo to other 30-odd-year-old players because I don’t think biologically he is.” Klopp admitted he had no idea that Salah had surpassed Henry’s European tally but, given the number of records the Egyptian has broken during his time at Anfield, it is not easy to keep up. I cannot compare Mo to other 30-odd-year-old players because I don't think biologically he is Jurgen Klopp “Maybe he would have broken a few more records if I would be more into that because sometimes I left him out when he could have broken a record,” Klopp said. “It wasn’t intentional but I’m not too much into this. “He broke a record (against Toulouse) but if not he would have broken it in two weeks or three that’s clear. He’s just such a good player. “We appreciate him and we will appreciate him even more after his career when we realise we saw something really special.” Klopp had made eight changes from the Merseyside derby for the visit of Toulouse, but will reverse most if not all of them on Sunday when Forest head to Anfield. Liverpool go into the weekend three points off the top of the Premier League table and aiming to show they can balance a Europa League campaign with a title challenge at home. “So far we could do it,” he said. “Thursday-Sunday is not great but it’s something we know really for long enough and that’s fine. “The boys that didn’t play (against Toulouse) will have a proper training session so that’s good. “If you play always the same team like we did in the past in the Champions League then it’s no training at all, it’s just recovery and then go again but so far we are able to do it like this with not too many injuries. “A lot of the players who didn’t play will probably start on Sunday so for them they had if you want a day off, just warming up and kicking a few balls. (On Friday) we will have a proper session to prepare for Nottingham. “This rhythm is the rhythm we have this year. We should get used to it sooner rather than later.” Read More Mike McMeeken’s move ‘out of comfort zone’ to Catalans earned England recall Ange Postecoglou: Tottenham not a better team without Harry Kane, just different Sandro Tonali could play for Newcastle this weekend despite 10-month ban England’s woes at World Cup down to lack of preparation – Sir Geoffrey Boycott How ‘the best ever Scotland team to take the field’ fared at the Rugby World Cup A closer look at Ireland’s World Cup campaign and what the future might hold

World Cup slalom champion Lucas Braathen has retired at the age of 23 in a surprise announcement by the Norwegian skier two days before the season starts

Before opening the World Series, the Arizona Diamondbacks wanted to recount a series of slights. Overlooked by oddsmakers and angered by analysts, the Diamondbacks find themselves in a Surprise Series against the also unexpected Texas Rangers. But the mindsets couldn't be more different ahead of Friday night's opener in Major League Baseball's third all-wild card title matchup. "We just put it on our list and keep those receipts and walk around with a little bit more of a chip on our shoulder," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday. "It gives you a little bit more motivation. And when you can get a little bit more, you take it." Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald has become keeper of the receipts, reminding teammates of what they consider disrespect. "Maybe I found screenshots that maybe other people didn't," he said, wearing a T-shirt that proclaimed "Snakes Alive." "We took offense to that and we're excited that we're here and people are still not giving us that much credit here." The Diamondbacks are tracking closely what the public says, with MLB Network a clubhouse constant. Meanwhile, the Rangers insist they pay no attention. "We don't listen to the outside noise that much," second baseman Marcus Semien said. Zac Gallen, a 28-year-old right-hander coming off a career-best 17-win season, starts Game 1 for the Diamondbacks, in the Series for the first time since beating the New York Yankees for the franchise's only title in 2001. Texas starts Nathan Eovaldi, a 33-year-old right-hander and a two-time All-Star who has overcome two Tommy John surgeries. Gallen, who grew up in a Philadelphia suburb, followed the pennant-winning Game 7 victory over the Phillies with a tweet highlighting the losing team's spring training and reminded Philadelphia fans to " make sure to get those tix for your next game." When the Phillies led the NLCS 2-0, backup catcher Garrett Stubbs talked about celebrating in the Chase Field pool. Gallen responded to what he said were online direct messages. "I just figured if they want to talk junk to me, I'll say one back," he said. "And I feel like being from there, I knew how to hit them the hardest." Both teams worked out Thursday under a closed roof at Globe Life Field, where World Series logos were freshly painted on the turf. Both clubs are two years removed from 100-loss seasons, and the Diamondbacks could become just the second champion with a negative run differential after the 1987 Minnesota Twins. Arizona went 84-78 during the season and earned the NL's sixth and last postseason berth, finishing with what would be the second-fewest wins for a Series champion behind the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals' 83. The Rangers were 90-72 and got the fifth AL slot. Texas hasn't won a title since the franchise started play as the expansion Washington Senators in 1961, and odds of a Diamondbacks-Rangers Series were 1,750 to 1 when wagering for the 2023 season opened. "We weren't concerned with what people thought of us," said first-year Rangers manager Bruce Bochy who led San Francisco to three titles from 2010-14. "We thought we belonged and we thought we could win." Lovullo, excited about his first Series as a manager, opened his news conference by snapping a photo of assembled media "just to break the ice." He had a message for MLB Network's Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, who promised before Game 6 against the Phillies to "retire on the spot" if Arizona won the pennant. "You can't back out of that one, Mad Dog. You've got to do something," Lovullo said. "I do like Howard Stern's thought about walking with a billboard saying that I am whatever, a liar ... in Midtown Manhattan for half a day. That will do it for me, but I ain't going to forgive you until you do something unbelievable, maybe show up here and say you're sorry to the entire team." BETTER NATE THAN NEVER Eovaldi is 4-0 in this postseason. He was to have started Game 4 of the 2018 Series for Boston but instead relieved in the 12th inning of Game 3 and delivered a memorable performance before giving up Max Muncy's winning home run leading of the 18th for the Los Angeles Dodgers. "I kind of had my moment there," Eovaldi said. "Having Game 1, trying to set a tone for the team, there's a lot of pressure with that, but also a lot of excitement." GREAT GLOVES Arizona had the fewest errors in the major leagues during the season (56), one less than Texas. The Diamondbacks have allowed three unearned runs during the postseason and the Rangers one. MUTUAL ADMIRATION Lovullo, 58 and in his seventh season as a big league manager, effusively praised the 68-year-old Bochy, in his 26th. Lovullo recalled giving Bochy a gift during his last season with San Francisco in 2019. "It's been an absolute honor to manage against you. I hope you find your way back to doing this one day," Lovullo recalled saying, adding Bochy responded: "If I do, it will be an honor to be managing against you, as well." "I couldn't believe he said that to me," Lovullo said. "I was just honored to be in his presence. And I will be for these next nine days." Read More Texas Rangers see off Houston Astros to reach first World Series since 2011 St Louis Cardinals battle back to beat Chicago Cubs and split MLB London Series Japan prove baseball dominance by beating USA in thriller to take world title St Louis Cardinals battle back to beat Chicago Cubs and split MLB London Series Japan prove baseball dominance by beating USA in thriller to take world title Houston Astros close in on second World Series with road win in Philadelphia