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Derek McInnes dismissed the idea that Rangers could put pressure on Celtic and Hearts with a win against Dundee on Saturday evening. A victory at Dens Park would take Rangers above Celtic to the Scottish Premiership summit, with their Glasgow rivals not in action until Sunday when they take on third-place Hearts in a rematch of last season's title decider. McInnes' side have won their past seven matches in all competitions, in contrast to Celtic, who have stumbled of late, losing four of their past five, but the Rangers boss says it is too early to look beyond their own fixtures. "The thing for me with that is you've still just got to win your game," McInnes said, when asked if Rangers could gain a psychological advantage over Celtic and Hearts with a victory. "Whenever you're asked to play, whether it's a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday, you've just got to win your game. It's a bit early in the season to [put pressure on title rivals]." Celtic and Hearts were both in European action on Thursday as Celtic were swept aside 4-1 by Benfica in the Europa League and Hearts drew 1-1 with Nordsjaelland in the Conference League. Rangers missed out on Europe this season with a hugely disappointing Conference League play-off defeat by Czech Republic side Jablonec in August. "Of course we would rather be in Europe and there was a wee bit of envy watching last night, but the only benefit from that is if we can be successful domestically," McInnes said. "It does give us longer to prepare for games but it doesn't guarantee anything. "The fact we're playing first this time around, I won't even mention putting pressure on an opposition. I'm more focused on the fight being with us to improve and just concentrating on getting another three points. "Small steps, win your game and don't be too obsessed with what's happening elsewhere." Rangers returned from the recent international break with a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock last weekend, but McInnes says his side must improve on that showing against Dundee. "Having the players in this week has allowed us to go into the game in better shape," he said. "It doesn't guarantee anything, of course, but once the game starts, hopefully we can deliver a big performance. "We can't have the performance we had in the second half last week. The drop-off was too big, although there were maybe a lot of reasons for that. "There will be no reason for that this week. It's up to us to deliver a big performance and recognise that we need to get more. We need to keep stepping on the gas and deliver the big performances we're looking for." Visit our Rangers page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he was told the club's decision to cut 60 jobs had been made to "achieve the success we want to create". Gunners chief executive Richard Garlick informed staff this week that Arsenal's workforce would be reduced across a number of departments. The cuts are set to affect up to seven per cent of Arsenal's 871 permanent staff, but will affect neither coaching nor performance staff in the men's or women's setups and will come from off-the-field roles. Jobs in the Arsenal Foundation, Arsenal in the Community and within the security staff will also be unaffected. A review carried out by an external company into the workforce was ongoing before the club won the Premier League. The decision to make the redundancies comes a week after Arteta was handed a new four-year contract, having guided Arsenal to their first Premier League title since 2004 last season. The 44-year-old's new deal included an increase on his previous salary of £10m a year, plus an additional £5m in bonuses. Asked about the cuts at a news conference before Sunday's trip to Nottingham Forest, Arteta initially said "this question is not for me" before offering a brief response. "It was explained to me about the exercise, and the analysis that has been done across the club, and with the intention always to evolve, to improve," said the Spaniard. "Some decisions have to be taken to put people in the right roles, and keep investing, to achieve what we want to achieve, the success that we want to create. That has been explained. "Obviously, I am not the right person to answer that question. That's for sure. And hopefully everybody will respect that." Arsenal announced in February that they had recorded record revenues of £691m for the 2024-25 financial year, although they still made an overall loss of £1.4m. The accounts also showed that operating costs rose to £200.8m, compared with £147.9m in the previous financial year. Saka responds to Arteta's challenge with 'huge impact' Latest Arsenal news, analysis and fan views

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Croatian police are investigating antisemitic chanting by Hajduk Split fans which took place before their Conference League game against Ajax on Thursday. Footage published online shows Hajduk supporters chanting outside the stadium about Auschwitz and in support of Adolf Hitler. A large supporters' march to the stadium was led by a yellow car carrying a coffin marked "Ajax" on its roof. The Amsterdam club is historically associated with the Jewish community. Croatia's ombudswoman Tena Simonovic Einwalter, an independent official appointed by parliament to safeguard human rights, called the incident a "manifestation of hatred and intolerance". The Croatian government also condemned the chanting. "We strongly condemn the unacceptable chants glorifying the Nazi regime that were recorded among a portion of fans before today's match in Split," it said on X on Thursday., external "Such shameful behaviour constitutes a negation of sport and the democratic values that modern Croatia cherishes." Local police told BBC Sport they had already made arrests in connection with yesterday's chants and that several further individuals had been identified and were being tracked down. Hajduk, who finished second in Croatia's top flight last season, won the match 2-1 but play was stopped for around 10 minutes because of fireworks in the stands. The Croatian club posted an apology on social media, external after the game, although it did not specifically mention any antisemitic chanting. "When situations like today happen, we are obliged to apologise to those who came to the stadium to cheer on the team that returned to European competitions after 16 years," it said. "We also apologise to the organiser of the competition and to the Ajax management and players who witnessed scenes we do not want Europe to remember us by." Croatian football has previously faced sanctions over antisemitic and discriminatory behaviour. In 2015, the Croatian Football Federation apologised after a swastika was marked on the pitch before their Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy. Earlier this month, Croatia's Nations League match against England was played under a stadium ban imposed following discriminatory behaviour by supporters against France last year. Children and accompanying adults were allowed to attend. "Unfortunately, instead of decreasing and stopping, such phenomena are spreading more freely and intensifying, which is not surprising after previous similar behaviours were met with insufficient reaction from high-ranking officials and competent bodies," said Simonovic Einwalter.

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Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says he is "telling the truth" when he says the club have moved on from Lisandro Martinez's explosive post-match comments this week. Carrick's close friend and team-mate Wayne Rooney led the condemnation of Martinez, saying the Argentine defender could "rip the dressing room apart" with his attack on United's hierarchy after the 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid. Former United skippers Roy Keane and Gary Neville have also had their say, among a huge amount of analysis. Martinez has apologised for the timing of comments, which turned the spotlight on director of football Jason Wilcox, but not for the words themselves. "There's a lot of people who say a lot of things - ex-pros or not ex-pros - it doesn't necessarily mean they understand what is going on here," said Carrick in his pre-match media conference at United's Carrington training ground. "Just because people talk on the outside doesn't mean that is the truth. I am telling you the truth. The squad today was in a fantastic place, better than I have seen it for a while. That is it, plain and simple. We are living it every day and know what it feels like. "We are emotional and care a lot. Sometimes someone says something that maybe you shouldn't say at that certain time, but it doesn't distract us from what we are creating here and the environment and spirit within the group. "It [the squad] is not affected, I am telling you." Carrick confirmed Martinez would be "part of the squad" for Sunday's Premier League trip to Leeds at Elland Road (14:00 BST). Martinez singled out the 'technical director' for criticism in Madrid. There was no mention of Wilcox in his statement, although the former Leeds and Blackburn player, who was made United's director of football in the aftermath of Dan Ashworth's sacking in December 2024, was part of the discussions with Martinez that led to his latest statement on his conduct. Wilcox is back in the spotlight, after also being targeted by Ruben Amorim in his final press conference before his dismissal in January. The 55-year-old has only spoken publicly once since, to United's own media channel, 12 months ago. "I don't think it's for me to say whether he should or not," said Carrick, when asked if Wilcox should be the one explaining his actions to the media. "I've got no problem sitting here, talking to you guys and leading the group, leading the team, leading the football club from this position. We're all in it together. Carrick does not feel Martinez's failure to mention Wilcox by name is an issue. "He's released his statement, he's realised he's made a mistake, and I think that's enough for all of us to move on with," he said. "We ask for passion, we ask for emotion, we ask for fire and we ask for players to care. There's a way of doing that, and that's already been acknowledged. "But we need to carry that intensity, that willingness, togetherness and spirit and everything else you can bring with that. As a group, we need to use it, and we've got to use it in the right way." Pre-match, post-match and topical United content Subscribe and listen for everything you love about the Red Devils Martinez apologises for outburst and fined by Man Utd Man Utd a circus after Martinez comments - Keane Wilcox the target again in another damaging Man Utd fallout

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Last season's top two in the Scottish Premiership - and Scotland's two remaining European representatives, Celtic and Heart of Midlothian - go head-to-head on Sunday after Thursday frustrations in Europe. But there is plenty of interest on Saturday too, with four games kicking off at the traditional 15:00 BST before Dundee host a Rangers side hoping to put pressure on reigning champions Celtic with a win that would take them above their city rivals. Here is what to look out for this weekend. Listen: Allan and Sammon preview Premiership weekend O'Neill defiant in defeat, but Celtic's 'flat-track bullies' fail another big test Late Nordsjaelland leveller denies Hearts winning start Considering Celtic lead the Premiership by two points and have won 14 of their past 15 league games - scoring at least twice in 11 of them - you would be forgiven for being confused by the talk of crisis in the east end of Glasgow. However, Sunday's convincing win in Motherwell has quickly been overshadowed by Thursday's 4-1 Europa League defeat by Benfica. It is not often that a Celtic side have suffered four losses in their latest five outings, with their manager having considered his position only a couple of weeks ago before deciding to carry on, and with the club also at loggerheads with sections of their fan base. Martin O'Neill, though, is stressing the quality of their hosts and taking positives from an improved second-half display in Lisbon. Indeed, Celtic will still be strong favourites on Sunday to extend the five-point gap between themselves and the third-place visitors - and it must be remembered that the other losses came against second-place Rangers (twice) and Ferencvaros rather than lesser Scottish sides. If Hearts are going to be title challengers again under Wouter Vrancken, just as they were under Derek McInnes last season, this is the time to start improving on their record of only winning twice in their past 11 away league games, all without a clean sheet. The most painful of their six defeats in that period came on their last visit to Celtic Park, when the hosts ended Hearts' three-game unbeaten run against them to overtake the long-time leaders on the final day of last season. They have, though, won twice in their past six visits to Celtic Park and are currently on a run of one defeat in 13 overall, albeit they will be disappointed to have conceded a late equaliser in their Conference League opener at home to Danish side Nordsjaelland. It is Hearts' forward line that has had most plaudits, but along with Rangers they have also faced fewer goal attempts than any side in the Premiership this season. That record will be tested by a Celtic side who have had the most goal attempts, but it looks like O'Neill might have lost patience with Kasper Hogh, hinting that Camilo Duran will come off the wing to replace the misfiring Dane through the middle. The weekend after a European game is often seen as the most vulnerable time for top clubs, so will Celtic's extra travelling prove crucial? Rangers eased aside Kilmarnock last Saturday despite looking a bit rusty after the international break to take over at the top of the table, only for Celtic to restore their two-point lead the following day. McInnes' side will be confident of doing so again considering they are on a seven-game winning streak and are unbeaten in four Premiership away games this season, winning the latest three. Not only that, but Rangers have not lost to Dundee in 20 meetings since a 2-1 defeat in November 2017. They have won the past two meetings 3-0, at home in January and at Dens Park in November - one of six victories there in eight visits. However, Dundee managed draws in two of three before that and former Rangers defender Steven Pressley's side are showing their own signs of improvement, having lost only once in four outings and winning their latest two. Indeed, Hibernian, who won 2-1 there in August, are the only team to have avoided defeat at Dens in six games this season. However, Rangers arrive full of renewed confidence and threat, with striker Ryan Naderi having scored six goals in 12 games this season and reborn winger Djeidi Gassama having completed the most dribbles, had the most touches in the opposing penalty box and won more fouls than anyone else in the Premiership. Aberdeen had gone four games without defeat until St Johnstone's visit on Sunday, but that was enough to start the grumbles again among the Dons support. That is because Stephen Robinson's side have now won just twice in seven outings - and one of those after a penalty shootout. His side have failed to score in each of their past three home league games and another would match a dismal run of four in 2012. Two of them were against St Mirren, so it is perhaps not the time for Robinson to be facing his former club, now led by his understudy, who he has not beaten in three attempts and who have won the latest two - 2-0 home and away. Indeed, St Mirren's victory in May means they have won on four of their past seven visits to Pittodrie and have lost just one of their past seven meetings overall. However, Craig McLeish's side arrive having lost four in a row, their latest two on the road without scoring. With St Mirren's Ryan Carr having attempted more tackles than any player in the Premiership this season and Aberdeen's Afeez Aremu in second, we could be in for a dour midfield battle. As he seeks his first win as Hibernian manager, Marink Reedijk will be glad to see it is Falkirk heading to Easter Road given they are the only side without an away win in the Premiership this season and have not won in seven visits to Leith since August 2014. Although the Bairns have lost on their past two, the previous five were draws and, while they have only won once in their past eight outings, John McGlynn's side have at least taken a point in the most recent two. Hibs have themselves only won once in six games and their new Dutch boss will be looking to improve on an eight-game run without a clean sheet. There are also problems at the other end too, for both sides, with Hibs and Falkirk in the division's bottom three for chance conversion rate. Bottom of that table - and the Premiership as a whole - are Kilmarnock. Despite manager Neil McCann's positivity about improving performances, the Ayrshire side have still only won once in seven outings. If they are to beat Motherwell for the first time in five meetings, they will have to improve home form that has them joint bottom with Hibs for points won, joint bottom with Aberdeen for fewest goals and top for goals conceded. Motherwell, though, arrive having only won once in nine themselves, losing four in a row, and surely with the honeymoon period beginning to run out for new manager Alfred Johansson despite early plaudits for continuing the lauded style of play under Jens Berthel Askou. Meanwhile, in Perth, Tayside rivals St Johnstone and Dundee United look to build on victories last weekend, with United no doubt wary of Premiership top scorer Josh Fowler, whose five goals have come from just 10 goal attempts. Talk about clinical.

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Long-serving Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver has become co-owner of the National League club, ending his father's ownership. Weaver took over as boss in May 2009 and his dad Irving became owner in 2011. Under their stewardship the club were promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history in 2020 and spent six seasons in League Two. Boss Weaver and local businessman Jonathan Bleazard have now taken over in a deal the club called "an important new chapter in its history". "This should not be viewed as family succession. Both Simon and Jonathan are making a significant commitment to this football club and, crucially, they are doing so together," Irving Weaver told the club website., external "Their experiences and strengths complement each other extremely well." The North Yorkshire side were relegated to the National League last season and are second in the table after 13 matches. "My position and my role as manager will not change, and my ambition remains exactly the same – to become the best football manager I can possibly be and to keep pushing this team forward," Simon Weaver said. "I fully accept that, as manager, I will continue to be judged on results in exactly the same way as any other manager in football. "Becoming a co-owner does not change that responsibility or the standards I expect of myself." Harrogate visit Bury in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday. Listen to Harrogate Town content on BBC Sounds Pre-match, post-match and topical Sulphurites content Subscribe and listen for everything you love about Harrogate Town

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Spain must play their next international friendly with a partial stadium closure after supporters sang a discriminatory chant about Muslims during a game against Egypt on 31 March. A group of Spain home fans were heard chanting around the 10th minute of the first half, and once more at the beginning of the second half. An anti-discrimination message warning fans was displayed on the screen at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona - and was repeated early in the second half, leading to whistles from some sections of the crowd. Following the incident the RFEF condemned the anti-Muslim chants while Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called them "intolerable" and said "violent people use football to carve out a space for themselves". But in the written reasons published by Fifa, RFEF argued that the chants did not constitute discriminatory conduct, an argument that was rejected by the disciplinary committee. It noted that the RFEF could not "persuasively maintain both that the chant was entirely harmless and that it warranted activation of anti-discrimination measures". Spain must play their next friendly with 15% of the stadium closed off - though they may, subject to the approval by Fifa, fill the seats with community and/or special interest groups (such as families, students, and anti-discrimination organisations). The stadium closure is required to be implemented primarily within the stands behind the goals. Spain's next potential international friendly date is in June. However, if they qualify for the finals of the Nations League the punishment will be delayed until one of the empty dates during Euro 2028 qualifying next Autumn. Following the 0-0 draw, the Egyptian Football Association condemned the chants as an unacceptable "repugnant act of racism", but said the acts of a small group of fans would not affect the close relations between the Spanish and Egyptian federations. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

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When you think of football in Plymouth, the word 'Argyle' usually comes to mind. The League One leaders, founded 140 years ago, have plenty of pedigree in the English game. However, 'Parkway' might be about to enter a few more fans' lexicons if seventh-tier neighbours Plymouth Parkway can make the FA Cup first round for the first time this weekend. The Southern League Premier Division South side are one game away from having a chance to be drawn against their high-profile neighbours as they prepare for the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup. Victory would put them in the hat with their more established city rivals, whose 17,900 all-seater ground at Home Park is less than two and a half miles from Parkway's 3,500-capacity Bolitho Park, which has just 250 seats. "It's massive," says chairman Mark Russell, whose club began playing park football in 1988 but are now second in the seventh-tier and have hopes of reaching the English Football League with proposed Kuwaiti investment. "Obviously from a history point of view it would be the first time we've done it, but also from a financial point of view you're obviously going in when big clubs are coming in and you've got the likes of Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth Argyle coming into the draw at that round. "You just sort of think 'wow, there's an opportunity that we could be playing some of those teams in a real game as opposed to a pre-season friendly'." Mirza wants to take Plymouth Parkway into EFL Ninth-tier SE Dons one game from main FA Cup draw Parkway are no strangers to Argyle - they usually face one another at Bolitho Park in pre-season friendlies. In July the League One side ran out 4-1 winners in their first game back from their summer break. And there is no doubt who the players would like to face if they can get past Southern League rivals Chertsey Town on Saturday. "Ideally Plymouth Argyle," says 25-year-old midfielder Rio Garside, an experienced player at non-league level in the region who came up through Argyle's academy ranks. "I didn't make it to the first team, it would be nice to maybe play at their place, but I'd also love to play them here. "It's exciting and you go into work and you go to your family and they're all excited and they're all talking about it, but it feels like ages away and then it feels so close as well. "I'm just really feeling excited and raring to go." Parkway's top scorer Andrew Neal knows a thing or two about the FA Cup. Affectionately known as 'Rocky', the striker was part of Truro City's side that reached the first round in 2017 when they drew an away trip at then-League One Charlton Athletic. He scored his final goal for the Cornish side in their 5-2 final-day win over St Albans City that secured them the National League South title on the final day of the 2024-25 season and with it promotion to the National League. This season he has scored 10 goals in 11 league games - but none in the cup. "These are the days that you'll remember and when your football career is done and you look back, these will be the highlights that you talk about," he tells BBC South West. "I was fortunate to play there with Truro in the first round against Charlton and I still talk about that now as one my career highlights and I only came on for 10 minutes. "So if we can do that and if we can get through Saturday and we can get a big draw, it's something that will stick with you for the rest of your footballing career and when you're done and you look back on it, it will be one of your highlights." Parkway manager Karl Curtis is a Tottenham Hotspur fan, so knows all about FA Cup success. And while their status in the third tier of non-league football meant they missed out on some of the earliest qualifying rounds, his team have had a couple of tricky away ties against sides in the same league as them, before beating National League South side Horsham in the last round. "We've gone to Gosport and we've had to win there, which isn't easy, we've gone to Frome Town on the back of the club having never beaten Frome before," he says. "Then we've had Horsham who are in a league above us and beat them here. "Now we play Chertsey here, it's going to be a huge game on Saturday, the challenge is just as big as Horsham, it really is, albeit that they're in our league, we know what they bring to the table. "Because of where the club is at in step three, it's four wins and we've done three, so this is our FA Cup final. "The last game we called it our FA Cup semi-final, but now it's all about getting to our FA Cup final and Saturday is our FA Cup final." So if Parkway are in Monday's first-round draw and Argyle are pulled out with them where would they like the game to be staged? "I think from a playing point of view probably here, but from a club point of view financially probably at Argyle," adds chairman Russell. "You'd obviously like to have a home draw against anybody because it's our pitch and our lads know the pitch. "But if you're going to play a big club, you probably want to play them at their ground, just for the experience for the players as well." Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

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Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa says the focus should not be on him as his side searches for a first Premier League win of the season this weekend. The club are bottom of the table on two points after four defeats and two draws in their opening six league games of the campaign. And as a result, the 43-year-old Spaniard is under increasing pressure as Fulham prepare to face Hull City at Craven Cottage at 15:00 BST on Saturday. Despite reports suggesting another defeat could mean he loses his job, Arbeloa said it had "been a normal week" for him. "It is not about me, it is about the club, the players and the supporters," he added. Fulham were 1-0 up through Ryan Sessegnon's second-half strike and close to securing a first win of the campaign against Ipswich Town last weekend before they were undone by two late goals at Portman Road. Against Manchester United before the international break, they had also looked set to take the three points, only for a last-gasp Matheus Cunha deflected goal to deny them victory. "It is not about my future. Like I said before, it is about the club and my players," said Arbeloa. "They are looking for the reward and looking for a game where they can get a win for the supporters, they deserve it because of their support. "It is important for all of us." Arbeloa arrived at Fulham in the summer on a three-year contract to replace former boss Marco Silva, following his short spell as Real Madrid's interim head coach. The ex-Liverpool full-back joined with glowing references from Madrid president Florentino Perez and returning head coach Jose Mourinho, who he played for during his time with the Spanish club. But Arbeloa's tenure in English football has so far been disappointing, although his side have reached the last 16 of the Carabao Cup, with their home tie against Crystal Palace taking place this month. Asked whether he is confident he has the backing of the players to execute his plans, he said: "They did for many minutes against Ipswich. We did against Manchester United and we did against Liverpool (in their 0-0 draw at Anfield). "For me, we need to try to keep that level for 90 minutes, that is important." Arbeloa added: "I saw the commitment of the players in how they have been training. They are so focused on tomorrow's game." If he survives the test against Hull, Arbeloa will face his third promoted side in a row, as Fulham travel to Championship winners Coventry City in the league next weekend. There is no escaping that Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa faces a potentially pivotal weekend. Just six Premier League games into his reign, doubts are emerging about his position. His methods haven't gone down particularly well with the squad. And his treatment of certain players, too, has caused surprise from within the playing staff. But it is results that will ultimately determine Arbeloa's future. He is without a win in the league and Fulham currently sit bottom of the table with two points. The club's director of football operations Tony Khan is understandably desperate for the appointment to be a success. Arbeloa was somewhat of a left-field choice, but for a handful of games in interim charge of Real Madrid following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso he has no real body of work. It was a gamble, but one Fulham and Khan believed was worth taking. It hasn't gone according to plan and another poor result against Hull on Saturday will leave Arbeloa's position under heavy internal scrutiny. Latest Fulham news, analysis and fan views Ask about Fulham - what do you want to know?

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The Premier League is back this weekend after a busy midweek of European fixtures. League leaders Manchester City are yet to drop points this season, while Bournemouth, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur are yet to record a league victory. Throughout the 2026-27 season, you can watch highlights from every game on Match of the Day, get live updates in our text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app and keep across all the goals as they go in on Final Score. You can get live score updates on your phone lock screen simply by following your favourite teams. And you can listen to match coverage wherever you are in the UK via BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sounds app. Digital highlights will be available post-match on the BBC Sport website and app in the UK. Tottenham Hotspur v Coventry City (20:00) Match of the Day will bring you all the best of the action and talking points from the Premier League on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday at 22:25 BST and Sunday at 22:30. The BBC Sport website has featured highlights of every Premier League match during the 2026-27 season. At weekends, these will be available in the UK on the BBC Sport app, website and iPlayer on Saturdays and Sundays - usually from 20:00. Don't miss any of the goals as they go in on Final Score - starting on iPlayer and Red Button at 14:45 and BBC One from 15:45. And make sure to hang around for Final Score: The Reaction on iPlayer from 17:15. BBC Radio 5 Live brings you more Premier League commentaries than anywhere else this season, with 209 live matches. You can listen to selected commentaries, plus updates from around the grounds, on BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport app and website and via your smart speaker. BBC Sounds is the place to find every 5 Live Premier League commentary this season, with more ways to listen via the app than ever before. Sports Extra 2 and Sports Extra 3 are new radio streams available only on BBC Sounds, offering you the chance to discover more coverage from the Premier League and listen to your team live. The Football Fix collection now brings you every 5 Live Premier League commentary in one place, plus build-up, reaction, and all the BBC's football podcasts. Find it here and on the BBC Sounds homepage throughout the season. Here are ways to download the BBC Sounds app: You can also listen to 5 Live Premier League commentaries via your smart speaker, so if you're busy at home you don't need to miss a moment. Just ask your smart speaker to 'play 5 Live' or 'play Sports Extra 3', for example. To find your Premier League team's commentary, you can also say, 'Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Arsenal match' or 'Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Brentford', for example. This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

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Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has said a last-minute change of seats on the team coach may have saved his life while he was at Borussia Dortmund. The Spaniard was 20 years old when Dortmund's bus was hit by explosives on its way to the home leg of their Champions League semi-final against Monaco in 2017. Three bombs that had been filled with metal pins and hidden in a hedge, exploded as the bus passed. A huge piece of shrapnel ended up lodged in the headrest of the seat Merino usually occupied but he had opted to sit elsewhere because his "legs were feeling a bit tight". "The seats in the front reclined so I sat up there instead, and it may have saved my life," said the Premier League and World Cup winner in an interview with The Players' Tribune., external "I think I have an angel on my shoulder. I'm actually fortunate to be alive at all. "A lot of young people probably would not even believe that it happened, or how bad it was, but it marked us all. There was a deafening noise, and then I remember the bus nearly tipping over." Merino recalls seeing blood on the floor, the smell of smoke and the sound of screams, and he went to the hospital afterwards to wait for his team-mate Marc Bartra, who had an operation on a broken wrist. The match against Monaco was postponed until the following day, which was criticised by Dortmund's manager, current England boss Thomas Tuchel. Sergei Wenergold, a German of Russian origin, was sent to prison in 2018 after he admitted to the attack. Merino's comments featured in a wider interview which detailed his remarkable comeback from a stress fracture in his right foot in February to lifting the World Cup with Spain five months later. "The doctor said, 'six months'," said Merino, referring to the length of time he was expected to be out. "I was too shocked to even feel sad. I just did the math in my head. The World Cup was four months away. "When I told my wife, Lola, that's when I broke down. My brain already understood, but my heart needed me to say it out loud." Merino added that "when the fog had cleared a little" he used his near escape on the Dortmund bus to spur him on because "things happen for a reason". He had played in the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup but was not selected for the final squad. He did not want to contemplate missing out again. "I have to play. I will be at the World Cup, no matter what," said Merino. "I put all the meat on the barbecue, as we say in Spain. They told me they could drill two screws into my foot to give it support. I was like, Vamos, put 'em in." Merino watched his Arsenal team-mates secure a first Premier League title in 22 years and celebrated with them, but his focus was on their final game of the season at Crystal Palace on 24 May, with Spain boss Luis de la Fuente naming the World Cup squad the following day. "Zero minutes in four months. How do you call up a player like that?" Merino reasoned. "I spent all week arguing with the [Arsenal] boss [Mikel Arteta] and the physios. The plan was for me to return for the Champions League final [against Paris St-Germain on 30 May], and even that was risky. But I had to show Luis that I was ready. Finally, they agreed to give me half an hour against Palace. "That day, I was playing for the World Cup, 100%. And after that, I thought I had a good chance. "The next day, I turned on Spanish TV. I was sitting on the sofa going, please, please please. "At some point, the screen showed a woman in a vineyard... Mikel Merino!" "I hugged Lola. I kissed [my son] Marco. My phone blew up with messages. "I was going to the World Cup." Latest Arsenal news, analysis and fan views Ask about Arsenal - what do you want to know?

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"I was a big football fan growing up. My dad got involved with powerchair football through me," England goalkeeper Chris Gordon says of his father Colin. "But he's now coaching Argentina, so we'll be facing each other in the World Cup." For Gordon Jr, who is playing at his fourth Powerchair Football World Cup for England, Sunday's meeting with hosts Argentina carries extra significance with his dad in the opposite dugout in Buenos Aires. Gordon Sr is himself a former professional footballer, a striker at clubs including Birmingham City, Fulham and Leicester City in the 1980s and 90s, who later became a football agent. "My dad and I have worked together at West Brom for a number of years and then he coached me for the England national team," Chris says of their working relationship. But this one is more personal. At the last World Cup in 2023, Colin managed England to the final, where they lost on penalties against France. But this time around, Chris is hoping to get one over his father. "England will definitely come out on top [against Argentina], so bragging rights will be coming my way," the Kidderminster resident told BBC Sport. Powerchair football, also known as power football or wheelchair football, is a four-a-side sport played by people with impairments including muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and spinal muscular atrophy. All it requires is a basketball court, a bigger football and powerchairs with front bumpers on that allow players to shoot, pass and dribble the ball. In England, the game has two top divisions in which teams from around the country compete. Hundreds of players also play in regional leagues around the country. Leagues also exist in Scotland and across the island of Ireland, while teams are developing apace in Cardiff and Wrexham. Over the next week, 10 teams - ranging from hosts Argentina and neighbours Uruguay to as far afield as Australia and Japan - will compete for the World Cup. Games begin on Saturday, with the final on Friday 23 October. All matches will be streamed live on YouTube, external as teams compete to be crowned world champions. England are among the favourites for this year's tournament - alongside France and the USA - and there's a real sense of optimism that they could bring the trophy back home. The England squad has youth and experience. Dan McLellan, 17, is preparing for his second World Cup, while England captain Jon Bolding is heading to his fifth. "I've been playing powerchair football for 25 years now. Back in the day, we used to use our NHS wheelchair and just put car tyres round the front," said Bolding, who is from near Reading. McLellan recently took over the captaincy of his club side, Aspire PFC, from Bolding. "I've been playing since I was eight years old. I got into the [England] squad at 14," the winger, who is from Peterborough, said. "It's not every 17-year-old that gets to two major tournaments, but I try to maintain my level and improve on it. "We believe in ourselves to get to that final. We've got enough to do it this time," he said. Bolding added: "It would mean so much to bring [the World Cup] home for England. We've been trying for so many years now. We won the Euros in 2019; this is the only thing that we're missing." Head coach Adam McEvoy is hopeful the side can go one better than they did three years ago. "I'm really looking forward to this World Cup to showcase how we play, who we are, and our style of football [but] it's going to be the toughest World Cup there has been so far," McEvoy said. "With the group that we have and the way that we try and play, there's no reason we can't go very deep into the competition." 'Labelled a hazard' to England captain - Gough's football journey

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Chelsea have announced captain Reece James has undergone successful surgery on a knee injury. The defender, 26, was injured in training before Chelsea's 5-1 win over Bournemouth last weekend, and the decision was taken for him to have surgery. James is now undergoing rehabilitation with Chelsea's medical staff, with no time-frame given for his return. Chelsea next travel to Everton in the Premier League before hosting London rivals Tottenham and Manchester United in a difficult run of fixtures. A trip to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup is sandwiched between those two home matches. James has suffered multiple injuries over the past few seasons, causing him to miss several international tournaments with England since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His injury record improved significantly last season, allowing him to play a prominent role in England's World Cup campaign, during which they reached the semi-finals before winning the bronze medal match. James was among the players to withdraw from England duty during the most recent international break. The next international break begins at the start of November, when England are scheduled to face Croatia at Wembley Stadium. Did Chelsea benefit most from extended international break? Bournemouth open to selling Scott for £100m in January

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Under pressure Watford manager Alessio Dionisi said reports he would lose his job after Tuesday's heavy defeat at Cardiff were "fake news". The Hornets were beaten 5-1 in the Welsh capital, just days after a similarly crushing defeat against Burnley at Vicarage Road. Watford are 22nd after 10 games of the Championship season, losing six of those matches and all of the past four, but Dionisi will take charge of Saturday's home meeting with Charlton Athletic. The Italian, who was appointed as manager in June, said it was "normal" for there to be speculation over his future. "There is good news, bad news or fake news probably. In this case for the moment, it is fake news. But I don't decide," he told BBC Three Counties Radio. Watford started the season with a three-game unbeaten run, including an opening-day victory over Southampton but have won only one Championship game since, against bottom side Preston. Following the defeat against Burnley, former Watford owner Elton John said he was "upset and disappointed" by the club's form in a now-deleted post on Instagram. Ex-Watford midfielder Tom Ince has also weighed in, telling BBC Sounds' 72+ Plus podcast that he feared for the club after their "soulless" display at Cardiff. "I have a lot of respect for everyone," said Dionisi. "For Elton John, I am sorry because I don't know him. But football is wonderful because everyone speaks [their mind]. There are supporters, there are journalists. There are a lot of people. "I have been a coach for 14 years, and it is normal. In my past there was negative and there was positive moments. At the moment it is a negative moment." Dionisi added that he was in regular contact with the club's ownership group, including Gino Pozzo. "Inside the training ground there is only one mentality, only one street for everyone," Dionisi said. Pre-match, post-match and topical Hornets content Subscribe and listen for everything you love about Watford Latest Watford news, analysis and fan views

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They are only 20 miles apart yet have barely played each other. Indeed, the last time MK Dons hosted Luton Town was in November 2004 at the former National Hockey Stadium. Contrasting promotions and relegations means their paths have not crossed until Saturday's League One game at Stadium MK (12:30 BST) They are not rivals as such, nor is the fixture comparable with Luton's traditional, deep-seated hatred of Watford. Still, for some Hatters fans, the resentment towards MK Dons runs deep. Many remain angry about the controversial move of Wimbledon to Milton Keynes in 2003, a so-called 'franchise team' encroaching in their own backyard. They saw it as a betrayal of a club and its community. "I don't dislike Milton Keynes, I dislike what they stand for," said Mike Fanning, a Luton Town fan. "They're a franchise and that's not what football is about. "It's a working men's game, about a club and its community and it matters. It can't be taken away. You can't up sticks and go elsewhere because someone wants you to." Luton were nearly that club back in the 1980s. The club were in financial strife and there were serious proposals to move to Milton Keynes and become 'MK Hatters'. The Football League initially approved the concept in 1983. Luton's then chairman Denis Mortimer believed the move could attract new fans. They were close to becoming a franchise themselves. But after a huge backlash from supporters, who marched and protested with thousands signing a petition, the plans were eventually scrapped. "I was on the action committee to fight the move to MK back in the 1980s," said Luton fan John Pyper. "We could have lost our club, but we fought the decision of our then directors to take the offer to move to MK. We boycotted games back then. "I was so upset when they took a club to Milton Keynes in the end. Why didn't they set up their own club using their own different towns and villages within their own vicinity?" "We could have been the MK Hatters," said Mike Fanning, who was at school when the demonstrations took place. "We are still in existence because of those loyal people who protested and marched. "Many of those fans are still going to games now, so it's raw. "Saturday will be an emotional moment." As for MK Dons, they are used to the anger. Jon Scudamore has been supporting the club for years and regularly goes with his family. He went to the last game between the two sides played in Milton Keynes in November 2004. "MK Dons have had this directed at us for 22 years," he said. "We have grown used to it and grown hard because of it. "The Luton fans will understand that. Luton have been through some hard times and I have the greatest respect for them. But we MK fans are solid." Dons manager Paul Warne recently put on a presentation about the MK story to his players because some of his squad did not know the history of the club. "I don't think anything that happened 20-odd years ago has anything to do with my players," he said. "Having thousands of fans from Luton helps my team because our fans will turn up and sing against them which makes for a great atmosphere." Despite one fans' group originally asking Luton fans to boycott the game on Saturday, more than 6,000 Hatters fans will attend at Stadium MK. Their decision to go has been respected although many promise not to spend any money when they get there. "It's down to the individual," said Kevin Rouse of Loyal Luton Supporters group. "As a committee we will not go. It burns very deep and we will not recognise them (MK Dons). "But there is no right or wrong in this."