Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has played down his previous disagreement with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler ahead of their Premier League meeting at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

The two managers fell out last season after Brighton suffered a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in March, with Hurzeler criticising the Gunners’ approach to the game.

The German accused Arsenal of “making their own rules” and claimed that only Brighton had tried to play football during the encounter.

With Arsenal returning to Brighton this weekend, attention had been drawn to whether the disagreement would resurface on the touchline.

However, Arteta insisted on Friday that there was no lingering hostility between him and his Brighton counterpart.

“That’s all done. That’s all in the past,” Arteta told reporters.

“I have huge respect for Fabian, and what he’s done and what Brighton has done as a club.

“It’s just remarkable, and tomorrow is going to be a beautiful game to watch, I’m sure.”

Hurzeler, meanwhile, maintained that he had no regrets about expressing his opinion after last season’s encounter.

“I think it’s very important that in football there are opinions,” he said.

“I will definitely always share my opinion if I am asked. But, in the end, I congratulate Arsenal for being deserved champions.

They deserved it.”

The meeting comes as Arsenal enjoy an impressive start to their Premier League title defence.

The Gunners have won their opening four league matches to move to the top of the table.

They have also started their Champions League campaign with a victory over Napoli and advanced to the fourth round of the League Cup after defeating Ipswich Town on Tuesday.

Teenage midfielder Max Dowman was among the standout performers against Ipswich, scoring twice in his first appearance of the season.

The 16-year-old had been an unused substitute during Arsenal’s opening weeks but has now strengthened his case for greater involvement in Arteta’s plans.

Asked whether Dowman had been pushing for more playing time, Arteta said the best way for any player to convince a manager was through performances.

“The best way to knock on the door is to do it on the pitch, not in the office,” he said.

“Then you just leave out the arguments. When a player delivers constantly on the pitch, every single day in training, that’s the best way, that’s the best signal for the manager.”

Arsenal have now won seven consecutive matches in all competitions, including the Community Shield victory over Manchester City.

A victory at Brighton would see the Gunners equal the club’s 123-year record for their best start to a campaign.

Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining such a winning run, particularly after the disruption caused by the World Cup.

“We know how complicated it is to win a football match at this level. So, to win seven, it tells a story,” he said.

“After the World Cup, there were a lot of unknowns about how the players and the team were going to react. We didn’t have any time with them to work together.

“But I said from day one, the attitude and what I was seeing, I was really impressed with. Then you have to put it down to performances.”

Meanwhile, Arteta also provided an update on his contract situation at Arsenal.

The Spanish coach is yet to sign an extension, with negotiations having continued for several months. However, he said there was no cause for concern over the matter.

“I think we are all very much aligned;

whenever the time is right we’ll get that done.

There is nothing to be concerned about,” Arteta said.

Chelsea head coach, Xabi Alonso, has confirmed that João Pedro and Reece James could feature in Friday’s Premier League clash against Brentford despite concerns over their fitness.

Chelsea are preparing to face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium in a west London derby, with Alonso set to make his final decisions on the availability of several players after the team’s last training session.

João Pedro withdrew from the Brazil squad for the upcoming international break after suffering an injury, raising concerns over his availability for Chelsea.

However, Alonso has not ruled out the Brazilian forward for Friday’s encounter, saying the club would assess his condition before making a final decision.

Speaking ahead of the match, Alonso said no player had been ruled out ahead of the final training session.

“In terms of injuries and in terms of the squad, we are having the last training session tomorrow, so no-one is ruled out for us for Friday,” Alonso said, according to a post published on Chelsea’s official website.

The Spaniard urged caution over João Pedro’s condition but confirmed that the 23-year-old could still be involved against Brentford.

“So I prefer to be cautious and we will wait until tomorrow to take the final decision on every player,” Alonso added.

“We will see tomorrow if Joao is ready to play, it’s a possibility.”

João Pedro has enjoyed an impressive start to the Premier League campaign, contributing three goals and three assists in four appearances.

His potential availability would therefore provide a boost for Alonso as Chelsea look to return to winning ways following their 2-2 draw with Hull City last weekend.

Reece James is another player whose fitness has attracted attention after he missed part of Chelsea’s training session on Tuesday.

Alonso, however, played down concerns surrounding the club captain and said his absence was simply a decision made during Tuesday’s session.

“For Reece, it was just a decision for Tuesday and we see his development and tomorrow we will decide,” Alonso said.

Chelsea are also monitoring midfielder Moisés Caicedo, who has been working his way back from injury.

Alonso said Caicedo would also be assessed during the final training session before the club determines whether he will be included in the squad travelling to Brentford.

“He’s getting closer and tomorrow we will take the final decision on the team and on the squad that is coming to Brentford,” the Chelsea manager said.

Marco Palestra and Jordan Henderson are also expected to undergo late assessments as Chelsea continue preparations for the fixture.

Alonso stressed that the final training session would be crucial in determining which players are fit enough to take part.

“Tomorrow is the final decision,” he said.
“Sorry to repeat myself, but before the players know we need to assess all the positions with the last training and tomorrow we will make the decision for the game in Brentford.”

Chelsea will travel to the Gtech Community Stadium for the 8pm kick-off on Friday, with Alonso facing several late selection decisions ahead of the west London derby.

The Blues will be seeking a positive result against Brentford as they aim to bounce back from their 2-2 draw with Hull City and strengthen their position in the Premier League.

Nigeria’s Falconets have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after defeating England 3-0 in their Round of 16 clash in Poland on Thursday.

The emphatic victory at Stadion Miejski in Bielsko-Biała saw Moses Aduku’s side produce a commanding performance, with goals from Tosin Rafiu, Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei and Mary Mamudu securing Nigeria’s progression into the last eight.

The Falconets made a bright start to the encounter and took the lead in the eighth minute when Rafiu found the back of the net to put Nigeria 1-0 ahead.

England were presented with an opportunity to level the scores before half-time after being awarded a penalty.

However, Nigeria goalkeeper and captain Christiana Uzoma produced a crucial save to deny Rachel Maltby from the spot and preserve the Falconets’ advantage.

Nigeria went into the interval with a narrow 1-0 lead.

The Falconets continued their strong display after the restart and doubled their advantage just two minutes into the second half.

Akekoromowei scored to make it 2-0, putting Nigeria firmly in control of the contest and increasing the pressure on England to find a way back into the match.

England attempted to respond and reduce the deficit, but Nigeria remained organised and held on to their two-goal advantage.

The Falconets eventually put the result beyond doubt in the 73rd minute when Mamudu scored Nigeria’s third goal.

The 3-0 victory confirmed the Falconets’ place in the quarter-finals, extending their campaign for a first-ever FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title.

Nigeria had qualified for the knockout stage after finishing second in Group F with four points.

The Falconets opened their group campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Spain before playing out a goalless draw against China. They then bounced back emphatically in their final group fixture, defeating New Caledonia 10-1.

That huge victory proved decisive in securing Nigeria’s passage to the Round of 16, where they were drawn against England, who finished third in Group B.

The Falconets have now scored 13 goals across their last two matches, following the 10-1 victory over New Caledonia with Thursday’s 3-0 triumph over England.

The result also represents another step in Nigeria’s pursuit of a maiden U-20 Women’s World Cup crown. The Falconets have finished as runners-up twice in the history of the competition but are yet to lift the trophy.

Aduku’s side will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals as they continue their quest to make history in Poland.