1. Arteta not concerned about Rice's workload

Mikel Arteta has defended Arsenal's treatment of Declan Rice and insisted they "are looking after him more than any other season".

Rice withdrew from the England squad in September but the midfielder was one of five Arsenal players called up by Thomas Tuchel on Friday, despite signs of fatigue during the second half of Wednesday's Champions League win over Slavia Prague. The 27-year-old, who was affected by a long-term back and hamstring issues during the World Cup, was also rested for Arsenal's defeat by Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup, having featured in every Premier League and Champions League game.

"Concerns?" Arteta said. "Which is the only player in this squad that for two games in the Carabao Cup has been left out of the squad? At home with two days off. That's my concern.

"It's not true [that Rice has been overplayed]. We are really looking after him more than any other season. The way he's training and all the love. That's it. Here are the demands of this football club and you have a player like him. Not only him because there are many others that have even less time. That's it. That has to be the mindset. If you start to put other things in your brain, damage. Erase them, get them in the bin and just focus on what you have to do."

Ben White's return to the England squad for the first time since before the World Cup means the Arsenal contingent makes up a fifth of Tuchel's selection, with Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Eberechi Eze also included. Arteta said having an "English core", and particularly an Arsenal connection, was vital for him.

"There is something that has to be within you, in your veins, in your roots," the manager said. "When you are from here, you are so attached because we signed some players as well that they are already Arsenal supporters since they were kids and that has a different meaning. You can become one, which is great, and we have a few of them, but when it's already there in your DNA it's even more powerful and for me that's very, very important."

2. Iraola backs Alisson after recent errors

Andoni Iraola has insisted Alisson is not solely responsible for Liverpool's recent defensive lapses and wants the 34-year-old to extend his outstanding Anfield career beyond this season.

The Liverpool goalkeeper erred in the build-up to Arsenal's winner in the Premier League last Sunday and was part of an unconvincing defensive display in the midweek Champions League defeat at Fenerbahce. Iraola, however, has defended Alisson amid rare criticism of his performances and insisted the two losses stemmed from collective failings rather than any individual.

"We've conceded goals in the last week against Arsenal and Fenerbahce where it is difficult to blame just one player, especially the Fenerbahce goals," said the Liverpool head coach. "They were messy situations, especially the deflection off Cody Gakpo for the second goal.

"There have been more players involved than just Alisson. Even in the Arsenal goal, it's true that we messed up in the goal kick. I assume part of that because I am the one who is telling them to play it. But even after we lose the ball we have eight defenders behind the ball, so Ali is not the one more responsible for those goals."

Alisson got away with similar risky passes against Fulham and Brighton before being punished by Kai Havertz at the weekend, but Iraola does not want the Liverpool keeper to change his style. "We try to help the players identify when the situation is clear enough to play those kind of balls on our edge, or when the press is so aggressive that we should go more direct," he explained. "Obviously we are going to make some mistakes in this process."

Alisson is in the final eight months of his Liverpool contract, along with captain Virgil van Dijk, with no sign of an extension. Asked whether he expects this to his final season at Anfield, Iraola replied: "I don't know, that is a question you have to ask him. I hope not, I hope he continues with us for more time but, when you ask me about contracts and these situations, it is a matter for the players and the club."

3. Baleba facing weeks out in blow for Carrick

Michael Carrick has revealed Carlos Baleba will be out for weeks with the hamstring injury the Manchester United midfielder sustained in Tuesday's 3-2 victory over Roma. Baleba's absence is a considerable blow to Carrick as he attempts to turn around United's form and results.

The 22-year-old Cameroonian was signed from Brighton in the summer for £70m and had made a promising start. But before Tuesday's injury he had managed only seven appearances, the first on 10 October after recovering from an ankle problem he had when he joined. "It'll be a number of weeks," Carrick said. "It's definitely not this week and it won't be any time over the international break [which starts on Monday]. It'll be a little bit longer than that.

Carrick also gave an update on Patrick Dorgu, who has been unavailable since sustaining a hamstring problem with Denmark during the last international break. "He trained with us at the start of the week, so we've got to be patient with Pat," said Carrick. "He's had a good period of time now with a couple of hamstrings that we need to manage. But he's slowly getting back with us, so we'll have to see whether he can be involved at the weekend."

Friday marked the 40th anniversary of Alex Ferguson's appointment as United manager. Before Sunday's visit of Aston Villa, Carrick was asked whether it was possible for him to reach the standards achieved by Ferguson at Old Trafford. United are 17th, separated from the relegation zone by goal difference.

"It's not impossible," said Carrick. "Anything's possible. You've got to build, you've got to be realistic. You've got to put things in perspective as well, [with] the recent history that we've had and where we want to get to. It's not going to happen in a blink of an eye. Success does take time, and we don't like having to spend time, but it does take a period of time to build."

4. Maresca backs Donnarumma to bounce back

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been backed by Enzo Maresca to rediscover his best form after high-profile mistakes in recent games. The Manchester City goalkeeper has made three errors leading to goals this season, notably against RB Leipzig on Wednesday when he was badly caught out of position.

Donnarumma will keep his place when City travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening, aiming to end a run of two Premier League defeats in a row. The hosts are yet to score at home and sit second from bottom.

"Overall he's good," Maresca said of his compatriot. "He's quite relaxed, in terms of he recognises that he has done some mistakes but at the same time, as I said after the last game, also he has made some good saves. So it's just a matter of balance, try to avoid mistakes and continue to do the right things."

Donnarumma's position is not under threat from his deputy, Gerónimo Rulli. "There are players that when they make some mistake you need a conversation with them, and there are players that when they make some mistake you just need eye contact to understand that he recognises, he knows," Maresca said. "With Gigio it's quite easy because every time he has made some mistake or something that was not correct, he recognises immediately. I spoke with Gigio, but again sometimes you don't need to be so deep with some players."

Nico O'Reilly is available but was left out of the England squad on Friday because he is not fully fit. The left-back will have treatment over the next fortnight for a back problem.

5. Emery aiming for 'stronger' Villa in contract talks

Unai Emery has confirmed he has held talks over signing a new contract with a view to building a "stronger" project at Aston Villa.

On Wednesday, the day after Villa's 3-0 Champions League defeat at Barcelona, the club said they had held a meeting to discuss their long-term strategy beyond 2029, when Emery's deal is due to expire.

The manager been linked with several clubs, including Manchester United, but was involved with long-term talks, including with the chair, Nassef Sawiris.

Emery said: "My ambition is to keep our consistency and how we are improving and building lots of things positively. It is a huge challenge. They decided, speaking with us last year, to build a new stand to add more supporters at Villa Park. That is a clear step forward to get better.

"How we are increasing our budget each year, and revenue through our performance by playing in Europe and improving players, selling players, then buying young talented players, this is the process and ambition we should keep in the future.

"I had a good meeting with Nassef Sawiris, very good meeting, very positive. Let's talk next week, trying to get everything we spoke about together. We were speaking about how we can set our project stronger with a deal, yes."