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Mauricio Pochettino highlighted his respect for Mikel Arteta and believes the Arsenal manager is “one of the best in the world”. Chelsea boss Pochettino faces off with his former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate for the first time on the touchline when the Blues host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. And the Argentinian lauded Arteta, who took Arsenal to a second-placed finish last season, and is not surprised by the Gunners boss’ success since becoming a manager in 2019. “We respect Arsenal, they are a great team,” Pochettino said. “They have Mikel (Arteta) who is part of my family. It’s going to be tough because they’re doing a great job with a great squad, they are a contender to win everything, the Premier League and the Champions League. “It does not surprise me with what he’s doing. He’s great, he’s really young, he’s improving every day and he can be one of the greatest managers in the world. I’m going to be proud to see him. “I think when you are a coach at Arsenal and the team is showing what they are showing it’s because you are one of the best.” Arsenal failed to finish in the top four during Arteta’s first three seasons prior to their title challenge last season, finishing eighth in both 2019-20 and 2020-21 and fifth the following season. And Pochettino credited Arsenal for showing their faith in Arteta and highlighted the strong relationship between club and manager which has allowed them to “fight for big things.” “At the beginning for him it was really tough. For maybe a year it was tough but it was a good thing that they put trust in him,” Pochettino added. “They gave him all the tools and really believed that he was able to rebuild. “I think you have to give credit to the club and Mikel because they have created a bond between each other which is really class and now the results after three or four years (have improved) and now at Arsenal they are fighting for big things.” Right-back Malo Gusto is in contention to start for Chelsea after he served a three-game suspension for a sending-off against Aston Villa. And Pochettino is happy with the new signing’s progress after he replaced Reece James in the XI after the Chelsea captain picked up a hamstring injury in August. Pochettino said: “I think he is really young but he is also really talented. Tomorrow he has the possibility to play. “It is difficult to judge because he is 19 years old and came from France and he needs time to adapt to a club like Chelsea where the history is to win and it’s not just about competing. “We are happy, we believe in him but give him time because I know he will perform in the way we believe he can. “He’s going to be good for the club for sure.” Pochettino said James’ availability will be assessed ahead of Saturday. Read More Jurgen Klopp knows Liverpool must shoulder the burden of Andy Robertson’s injury Roy Hodgson sympathises with Newcastle over Sandro Tonali betting investigation New state-of-the-art Bradford venue can help take barriers down, says ECB chief Pep Guardiola believes both Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi deserve Ballon d’Or Tottenham reveal Rodrigo Bentancur injury update as key midfielder nears return Victor Lindelof ready despite ‘exhausting’ experience with Sweden – Erik ten Hag

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is doing his best to keep his focus on the field and out of the boardroom with the ownership of the club up in the air and the team struggling early in the Premier League season

Pep Guardiola claims Erling Haaland deserves to win the Ballon d’Or – but so does Lionel Messi. Haaland has been nominated for the coveted prize after scoring 52 goals in Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign. Yet City boss Guardiola has always maintained his former Barcelona talisman, who inspired Argentina to World Cup success in 2022, is the best player he has ever coached. Guardiola said: “I always said that the Ballon d’Or had to be of two sections – one for Messi and one for the others. “Haaland should win. We won the treble because he scored 52 goals but, of course, Messi – his worst season is the best of most players. Both deserve it. “Egotistically, I would say I want Erling because he helped us to achieve what we achieved, I would love it, but I won’t tell you it’s unfair if Leo wins. “It’s nice that many players for Man City will be there for the first time in many years and challenging for these trophies. That makes us so proud for our organisation.” Champions City are hoping to get back to winning ways in the Premier League this weekend after losing their two matches prior to the international break to Wolves and Arsenal. They face a tough challenge, however, with Brighton the visitors to the Etihad Stadium, and Guardiola has been highly impressed by their performances under manager Roberto De Zerbi. Guardiola said: “He’s converting Brighton into a top club. (Alexis) Mac Allister and (Levi) Colwill have gone but they continue to play at a good level. “Last season was really good too. They qualified for Europe and but for some decisions against them in the last games they could fight to be champions. “It is one of the toughest tests we have this season and we are going to try and go for it.” City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who has struggled for game time under Guardiola, this week admitted he needs to play more at club level to retain his place in the England squad ahead of Euro 2024. That has increased speculation he could leave in January and Guardiola, speaking at a press conference on Friday, did not rule out that possibility. He said: “The transfer window is over, now we are here together. When we need a game with transitions or games with something with chaos Kalvin is perfect. “When there is something you need to do, there are still one or two players who can do it better. That’s the simple reason. “He will be here until winter. After, I don’t know what will happen because nobody knows once the window is open.” Guardiola admitted it was “so important” Rodri returned this weekend after the influential Spain midfielder was sorely missed during his recent suspension. Rodri incurred a three-match ban after being sent off following a confrontation with Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White last month. Guardiola said: “Rodri has to learn. We have to control our emotions and stand up and go. I’m pretty sure he will learn.” Read More Tottenham reveal Rodrigo Bentancur injury update as key midfielder nears return Victor Lindelof ready despite ‘exhausting’ experience with Sweden – Erik ten Hag Jack Harrison says working with Frank Lampard and Marcelo Bielsa has boosted him Tom Curry counting on experience against South Africa for World Cup semi-final The World Cup final beckons: talking points ahead of England-South Africa Mikel Arteta hails career-long support of ‘big brother’ Mauricio Pochettino

The Celtics were one of the NBA's most active teams this offseason, shedding veteran defensive stalwart Marcus Smart, reigning Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and big man Robert Williams III in a flurry of activity that netted them Kristaps Porzingis and five-time all-defensive selection Jrue Holiday

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag said Victor Lindelof had been “exhausted” but was ready to play in Saturday’s match at Sheffield United after his distressing experience in Belgium earlier in the week. Lindelof captained the Sweden side whose Euro 2024 qualifier against Belgium in Brussels on Monday was abandoned at half-time after two Swedish fans were shot dead before the game and another injured three miles from the King Baudouin Stadium. Ten Hag told a press conference on Friday: “A terrible situation, and I feel really sad for the victims, for all the relatives, family, friends of the victims in Brussels. It’s a crazy world. “Of course Victor, they had a problem, it’s a bad experience. As captain of the Swedish team, he had to stay in front and give statements. But he dealt well with it. “Of course he’s exhausted after this experience because also he didn’t sleep overnight. He returned, and yesterday he was back in training. He dealt with the situation. “Our thoughts once again were with Victor, with the victims and the victims’ relatives. Victor has energy and is ready to play this game.” United head into the match at Bramall Lane amid considerable talk about their ownership situation, with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim last weekend understood to have ended his attempt to buy the club, while INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly looking to purchase a 25 per cent stake. When asked about that situation, Ten Hag said he was “not involved in this”, adding: “Others in the club are dealing with this. “I am focusing on my team, on the coming block (of games), and I am focusing on the most important priority, the next game – it’s all about that.” In their last outing before the international break, United – currently 10th in the Premier League table – appeared set for a seventh defeat of the season in all competitions, and third in eight days, before a stoppage-time double from Scott McTominay secured them a 2-1 home win over Brentford. The visitors had taken the lead in the first half through Mathias Jensen in what was another questionable moment for Andre Onana, the goalkeeper signed from Inter Milan in the summer. While Ten Hag says Onana has to “step up”, he has reiterated his belief that the Cameroon international will come good and pointed to the example of some of United’s past goalkeepers. “He knows, we know, he will do much better and as every player who’s coming into the Premier League, you need an integration period, but he has to step up,” Ten Hag said. “Also, big United keepers like Peter Schmeichel, David De Gea, also they started not too good, and I think for Andre it is good to know a little bit from the history. “But we live now, we live in the future, and he has to make his future by giving better performances – and he will do, I’m sure. “He already showed that so many times in big clubs like Barcelona, when he was young, Ajax, Inter Milan, he was in the semi-finals and final of the Champions League. He’s a great player, and I’m sure he will give us performances and I’m sure we will have a lot of joy with him.” United have Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguilon available for the clash with the bottom-of-the-table Blades after injury lay-offs, and Sofyan Amrabat, despite him not being involved for Morocco during the international break. Jonny Evans, who sustained a knock while playing for Northern Ireland, also appears to be in contention – but Casemiro has been ruled out by an injury sustained on Brazil duty that Ten Hag has said is “not too bad”. Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Aaron Wan-Bissaka remain sidelined while Jadon Sancho has been training away from the first team, with the club having said that is “pending resolution of a squad discipline issue”. Asked if there was any change to Sancho’s situation, Ten Hag said: “Everything has been said about it.” Read More Rodrigo Bentancur back in full training but weeks away from Tottenham return Jack Harrison says working with Frank Lampard and Marcelo Bielsa has boosted him Tom Curry counting on experience against South Africa for World Cup semi-final The World Cup final beckons: talking points ahead of England-South Africa Mikel Arteta hails career-long support of ‘big brother’ Mauricio Pochettino Emma Raducanu to keep ‘provoking and asking questions’ of coaches on her return

The Hornets believe they can snap a seven-year playoff drought this season

Andy Robertson is likely to miss the rest of 2023 as he is set to undergo surgery on his injured shoulder. The Liverpool left-back will sit out Saturday’s Merseyside derby along with November’s trip to champions Manchester City and big December games against Manchester United and Arsenal. Robertson was injured in Scotland’s 2-0 defeat to Spain and missed their 4-1 loss to France on Tuesday. He is also set to sit out their last two Euro 2024 qualifiers, though Steve Clarke’s side have already booked their place in Germany next summer. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes it is in Robertson’s interest to go under the knife, explaining: “I think we go towards surgery. There is a little chance we could try without but talking to pretty much all experts it looks like surgery will be the best thing, particularly in the long term and that means he is out for a while. In my experience you can train pretty quickly again but not football specific so he will be out for a while.” Kostas Tsimikas, who signed a new contract in September, is likely to stand in for Robertson. The Greece international has only played four minutes in the Premier League so far this season. Joe Gomez and Luke Chambers are other alternatives Klopp namechecked and he added: “We need options and Kostas is definitely the most experienced but he cannot play all the games from now on.” Liverpool will be without the suspended Curtis Jones but Diogo Jota is available again after serving a one-match ban for his red card against Tottenham. Cody Gakpo faces a race against time to be fit after missing the draw with Brighton. The Netherlands forward is back in training. Read More Andy Robertson faces shoulder surgery and long lay-off Goalkeeper Liam Kelly says Scotland debut was “the best moment” of his life How Scotland qualified for Euro 2024 – and why Germany will be different

After making several big changes at the last trade deadline and surprisingly advancing to the brink of the NBA Finals, the Lakers decided they didn’t need their annual roster overhaul and largely tried to maintain continuity around LeBron James and Anthony Davis this time around

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson is set for a long spell on the sidelines as he is to have surgery on a shoulder injury. The Scotland captain sustained the problem on international duty but having been assessed on his return to Merseyside the club have decided an operation is the best solution. “There is a little bit there, I think the decision is we go towards surgery,” said manager Jurgen Klopp. “There is a little chance we could try without but talking to pretty much all experts it looks like surgery will be the best thing, especially in the long term definitely, and that means he is out for a while. “I don’t know exactly how long but it is shoulder surgery so not exactly an easy one. “In my experience you can train pretty quickly again but not football-specific because you have to be careful of challenges and all these kind of things so he will be out for a while.” Read More Rodrigo Bentancur back in full training but weeks away from Tottenham return Jack Harrison says working with Frank Lampard and Marcelo Bielsa has boosted him Tom Curry counting on experience against South Africa for World Cup semi-final

Rugby teams have all kinds of behind-the-scenes specialists in their backroom staff these days

The Eagles and the NFL might still be the overwhelming sports favorites at Calvary Baptist church just outside Philadelphia

Everton winger Jack Harrison took advice from Frank Lampard about the importance of having an on-field ego and believes he is reaping the benefits. The rookie professional had to pluck up the courage to knock on the experienced England international’s hotel room door when they were team-mates at New York City. He asked about confidence and Lampard, who was sacked as Everton manager six months before Harrison arrived, spoke to him about ego and self-belief. It is advice he has carried with him since moving back to England with Leeds and now on loan at Goodison Park. His confidence was boosted further by his maiden Everton goal – a brilliant instinctive lob over Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto – in only his third appearance in which the wise words of Lampard probably played some part. “I remember going to Frank’s room one time, knocking on his door asking for advice on certain mentality, how to be. I sat in his room and just chatted for half-an-hour,” said Harrison, who gained more valuable information after four seasons with Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road. “I think having that ego and confidence on the pitch was something that maybe challenged me a little bit. It was difficult for me to bring out. “But after talking to Frank (he said) it was something he applied to himself. When you step out on that pitch he used to tell himself he was the best player. “It doesn’t have to be in a nasty way or anything but it’s definitely important to have. “I was watching an interview Zlatan Ibrahimovic did where he said he felt like God when he was on the pitch. Maybe I’m not at that level but it’s nice to hear similar stories. “When you are lining up against Mo Salah you have to do your best against them. That mentality, feeling like you belong, is a big part of it.” Harrison’s two seasons in New York playing alongside Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Silva and managed by Patrick Vieira were formative but after being brought home by Manchester City his real development came at Leeds. Bielsa’s methods were so intense the 26-year-old still has ‘flashbacks’. “It was beyond anything I’d seen before,” said Harrison ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby. “Because everything was so regimented and we were working so hard the three years almost flew by. I don’t think in all of that time I took a step back to really enjoy playing with him. “Looking back now, I just wish I enjoyed it a little bit more in the moment but I’m super grateful. “It has made me the player I am today working with him, building those foundations when I first came back to England. “I know what the standard is. If I’m ever struggling or lose sight of where I need to be, I can always go back to that time. “Sometimes even on a day off I will have in the back of my mind, ‘OK, I need to do something today.’ Some of the guys here (at Everton) will say ‘Bielsa has drilled you so much’. “It is a good kind of characteristic to have in your back pocket just in case you need it.” For all the football input the biggest influence on his career is mum Debbie, who took him away from Liverpool’s academy when he was a six and Manchester United’s when he was 14 to send him to a United States boarding school for a better chance of success. “Her providing me with that opportunity at the time was definitely outside the box. I was an only child and she was a single mother. I have to give all the credit to my mum,” said Harrison. “Coming back to England I wanted to do everything I could to repay here for that, be it a house or a car or she doesn’t have to work any more. “Going to New York and playing professionally for the first time I was really thankful to my mum because there were a lot of people saying ‘Oh why didn’t you stay at Man United?’. “I’d always had that in the back of my mind because I’d seen the likes of Scott McTominay come up and absolutely smash it with the first team. I did think, ‘What could have happened if I’d stayed at United?’. “But as soon as I made it to New York and saw where I was it gave me a different perspective where I was able to thrive. “At that point I thought ‘It doesn’t matter what would have happened, this is my path now’. There’s nothing you can do about the past so you have to keep looking forward.” Read More Tom Curry counting on experience against South Africa for World Cup semi-final Eddie Howe insists Newcastle are committed long-term to Sandro Tonali The World Cup final beckons: talking points ahead of England-South Africa Mikel Arteta hails career-long support of ‘big brother’ Mauricio Pochettino Emma Raducanu to keep ‘provoking and asking questions’ of coaches on her return Rugby World Cup: How England fared in their previous semi-finals