Liverpool

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was asked about recent comments from Jamie Carragher, suggesting the Reds are Arsenal's biggest title challengers: "It is still October. We take one day at a time. I always say the first reference is when you've played against everybody once, so halfway through the season and then you can start thinking about the standings and this stuff but right now we are in a position where we need to improve and keep getting better.

"For the fans, it is good if they have expectations and think we can win but if you ask me, I still think it's very early in the season."

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola on the fitness of Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz: "I think they have a chance [to be involved] but I don't know for certain. We still have two days but I think they have a chance, yes."

While you've brought Mr. Arteta up again, we'll check in with Arsenal's opponents on Sunday now before rounding off the rest of today's news conferences.

It may be bad news for Arteta on the team news front, but it's looking promising for Andoni Iraola and Liverpool...

FPL Heisenberg
Fantasy Premier League expert with seven top-30k finishes

Joao Pedro (£7.8m) is an easy sell following Xabi Alonso's comments ruling him out for weeks.

Some may be thinking of holding the Chelsea forward through his injury and simply benching him. I can see why this is tempting, because when he's fit, he's one of the best assets in the game.

However, we don't know how long this could go on for, so I won't be holding him hoping for a speedy recovery.

Another reason he's an easy sell is the mid-priced forwards are actually enticing right now.

Alternatives such as Jackson and Evanilson have excellent form and favourable forthcoming fixtures.

The likes of Dominic Calvert Lewin (£6.1m), Thierno Barry (£5.6m) or if you have the money Alexander Isak (£9.1m) are all worth considering, too.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

For Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, this may be a good time to face Chelsea.

Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Maxence Lacroix and Jorrel Hato have joined an injury list that includes goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, striker Joao Pedro and captain Reece James.

Chelsea have also suffered back-to-back defeats by Tottenham and Liverpool, although the latter came on penalties at Anfield, while United have enjoyed a rare midweek break.

It will be interesting to see whether United, boosted by the reintegration of captain Bruno Fernandes and the return of Kobbie Mainoo from injury, can take advantage of Chelsea's problems despite their turbulent position in the table.

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso on Manchester United's recent struggles and the pressure on manager Michael Carrick: "I have great respect, I have great sympathy for Michael as a manager.

"I know him because we have played against each other. We played recently in a legends game and we had a little chat. He is a good guy and one you want to be around. Aside from that, it is not for me to comment."

Does the noise around Chelsea's opponents change their approach?

"For me, it doesn't change. We need to prepare the same way. We can only control what we can control. We know they are a good team, it doesn't matter about the table. They have a good squad, good player, good manager."

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso on Cole Palmer, who was sent off for two yellow cards in last weekend's defeat by Tottenham.

The England winger is back from suspension after missing the midweek Carabao Cup defeat at Liverpool.

"We have spoken about the game and things he can improve, but we always do," said Alonso.

"We don't want it repeated but for him it is the first one (red card). So we have talked more about football because Cole is a smart guy."

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso gave an update on Maxence Lacroix, who limped off in Wendesday's Carabao Cup defeat at Anfield: "Max picked up an injury and we expect he will not be available before the international break. He will be out for a few weeks."

Could Emiliano Martinez return before the international break?: "Yes there is a chance. We need to still wait for the next week, let's see how things go. If he is fit to play he will need a face mask probably."

Alonso added that Moises Caicedo has "no issue" after appearing to pick up a knock against Liverpool, while Pep Chavarria is back in the squad but Jorrel Hato remains sidelined.

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso on Estevao's lack of minutes this season: "Yeah, sure he will play. The season is long and there will be opportunities for everyone. He will have his minutes. We are still early in the season but he will be there.

"It is not about attitude, it is about the context of games. He is a great guy. We are still in October and he will be important.

"It's no secret that all players want to be on the pitch and playing. I have to take responsibility for that [happiness]. Everyone has to be ready. Every game is important. Este is training and his attitude has been good."

Alonso added there are "no discussions" around a possible loan for Estevao in January and dismissed the prospect.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso on facing Manchester United after defeats by Tottenham and Liverpool in the past week: "We are back in Premier League mode and that for me is the main competition for us - this year and almost every year.

"It is a big one. We didn't have long to prepare but it's really important after the last home game we had that we keep winning games and get that winning feeling.

"As soon as we left Liverpool, we were thinking about United. I saw a better version of us on Wednesday than I did on Saturday, even though the result wasn't what we wanted in either. This is a journey where we will have tough moments and we need to learn from them."

Everyone will be watching this game because of Michael Carrick's situation at Manchester United, and wondering how much longer he will be in charge.

Carrick kept his job after the heavy defeats against Como and Bournemouth last week and my view is that, by keeping him on for now, they are possibly just prolonging the misery for him, really.

Going by how insipid United were against Bournemouth, it is hard to see them going to Chelsea and getting anything.

Chelsea were not much better in their defeat by Tottenham last weekend and since then they have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Liverpool too.

Xabi Alonso is still without the injured Joao Pedro so I expect Danny Welbeck will lead their attack like he did against Liverpool, and Cole Palmer will be back after his suspension.

Chelsea have had a bad week but I can't see things changing for United, even if Bruno Fernandes is back in their team.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Before we hear from Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, here's a reminder of how the table looks before the weekend.

Chelsea dropped to fifth after last week's home defeat by Tottenham while Saturday's opponents Manchester United slipped to 16th after losing at home to Bournemouth, when Bruno Fernandes was left on the United bench after being critical of manager Michael Carrick's tactics.

Image source, BBC/Getty Images

Arsenal

A final word from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who was asked how much of a physical risk it is to play a 16-year-old like Max Dowman in the men's game: "It is what it is. I think we discussed that when he made his debut in pre-season against Newcastle - it was a very physical game. If a play that weighs 95kg/100kg comes in at 35kph into Max and hits a bone, I don't know what happens.

"When we talk about protecting him, when you ask me why he's not playing every week when he's done really well against Everton - we need to put some perspective into every context into the player that we have which is tremendous and leave it there and let him grow and protect him, all of us."

Arsenal

More from Mikel Arteta on the response from football fans with regard to his reaction to Max Dowman's red card: “I haven't seen the reaction to my reaction, whether it is positive or negative. But you need to understand the context and the relationship that I have with him and what we discussed just before we went out.

"But, I don't know. You can have another reaction. If you see the reaction of my father and my mother with me some days you might say ‘I don’t like the reaction’. For me it was the best reaction to be who I am.

"If you want the best reaction and the beautiful one... you want to see his team-mates when they have to play with 10? You want to see that? What do you expect?

"And the England one? They are his age. They are 16 - the same. What is the reaction? That is the level and that is the reaction.

"Whether it is right or wrong, that is the reaction. And the reaction when I don't win, you want to know what my reaction is? I am [expletive] off big time.

"So, we need to be ready for that. This is the environment and this is the reality, otherwise we are in Disneyland. We are not in Disneyland, we are in the Premier League and this is the level.

"We look after him so much that you cannot imagine. But at the same time we are going to demand from him like everybody else because he needs to earn the right to play. Because the other boys, what are they going to say to me? You need to be fair."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on the club's appeal being turned down for Max Dowman's red card: "Very disappointed to be fair, especially with the reckless tackles he received. His reaction is minimum in relation to the action. I'm disappointed that it has not been overturned."

On the "victim" being punished in this situation: "It is what it is. We have put every argument on the table to make a case for it. The action is so evident. Obviously we have a very different opinion and on top of that I think you have to read the context of the player, the age and what happened previously.

"It could have been really bad. We are lucky today that he hasn't had a broken foot, that is clear."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Noni Madueke's availability for Sunday: "We do not know yet. We have a training session tomorrow so we will see if he can complete the full session and after that we will know if he is available."

On the severity of Bukayo Saka's issue: "He needed another scan to see the amount and if the tendon was touched and how badly it was touched and afterwards, we will know more about it."

Will he be ruled out for England duty?: "I don't know. It looks like it, but we will have to wait and see next week."

On Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Christos Tzolis: "They all trained today, they will train tomorrow and if everything is OK then they will be available."

Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on his reaction to Max Dowman's sending off: "My reaction comes from a moment of heat and extreme frustration because I know the consequences of that, especially for Max. It is something we discussed just before we went out because it is not the first time it has happened, it happened another time [earlier] this month with England [Under-19s]. And it will continue to happen because of the way he plays and the way he attracts opponents and that's it.

"We have to be able to tell each other what we think because he is 16 and we have to be very protective of him, but at the same time very straight with him about what we expect of him towards the team, individuals and the club."

On his relationship with Dowman now: "There are no issues. We had a talk yesterday. I have done it. That's why I am so protective of these things, especially with young players because we have made these mistakes and you know how much you can get punished and how much it can change what happens next. It's not the first time it has happened so we need to put an end to it very, very quickly."

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta added that his reaction towards Max Dowman came "in a moment of heat and extreme frustration".

"It is something we have discussed," the Arsenal boss said. "It is not the first time it has happened and it happened [earlier] this month with England.

"We need to tell each other the things as they are. We need to be very protective with him but also very straight with him with what we expect."

We'll bring you the full quotes as soon as we have them.