1. Fahey withdraws from Republic of Ireland squadpublished at 11:50 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Niamh Fahey runs with the ballImage source, Getty Images

    Liverpool defender Niamh Fahey has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's opening Euro 2025 qualifiers with a calf injury.

    Fahey linked up with the Irish squad in Dublin despite missing Liverpool's Women's Super League defeat by Manchester City on Saturday.

    However, the 36-year-old will play no part in the Republic of Ireland's games against France and England.

    With no replacement called up, Eileen Gleeson's squad is down to 25 players.

    The Irish face France in Metz in their opening Group A3 qualifier before hosting reigning European champions England four days later in Dublin in what will be the first official meeting of the teams in 37 years.

  2. Pick your England XI for Euro 2025 qualifying opener against Swedenpublished at 11:45 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    England v Sweden (Fri, 20:00 BST)

    Millie Turner and Mary EarpsImage source, Getty Images

    England are gearing up to defend their European Championship title and begin Euro 2025 qualifying on Friday.

    The Lionesses face Sweden at Wembley in a rematch of their Euro 2022 semi-final.

    Boss Sarina Wiegman has named plenty of familiar faces in her 23-player squad, plus some exciting new additions.

    But who will get the nod for Friday's game?

    Click here to step into Wiegman's shoes and pick your own England starting XI.

  3. get involved

    Get Involved: What's a half-volley?published at 11:37 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    A half volley for me is when the ball is struck whilst travelling upwards, following a bounce. If it starts to come down again you’re back on for a run of the mill volley.

    Nick, Kent

    A half volley is ALWAYS when the ball is struck just after it hits the ground. No argument...ever.

    Ken

  4. One down but five still to gopublished at 11:35 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    That's all from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

    The remaining five managers are all due to be holding their news conferences around 13:30 BST (times may vary).

    We'll bring you all the top lines from Manchester City's Pep Guardiola, Aston Villa's Unai Emery, Brighton's Roberto de Zerbi, Luton's Rob Edwards and Sheffield United's Chris Wilder this afternoon.

  5. Timber 'not far off' returnpublished at 11:32 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Arsenal v Luton (Wed, 19:30 BST)

    Arsenal

    Giving an update on Jurrien Timber's fitness, Mikel Arteta said: "He is doing very well and is back training. He is not far off.

    "He is constantly training with us but the last part [of rehabilitation] is tricky and sometimes it takes a while.

    "Hopefully it will be soon.. I think he has a good chance [of returning before the end of the season] and he will push it as far as he can."

  6. Gunners need to be 'close' to perfectionpublished at 11:28 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Arsenal v Luton (Wed, 19:30 BST)

    Arsenal

    On whether they will need to win all of the remaining games to be in with a chance of winning the league, Mikel Arteta said: "I don’t know, but it’s going to have to be really close to that.

    "You can see the consistency from the other teams and historically what is needed points wise. It is going to be close to needing that."

  7. 'We work everyday with enthusiasm'published at 11:25 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Arsenal v Luton (Wed, 19:30 BST)

    Arsenal

    On the run-in and also competing in the Champions Legaue, Mikel Arteta said: "I am really excited but we have these discussions all the time. It won’t change from now until the end but nine games is a lot.

    "We are embracing the moment and making sure we prepare for each game.

    "This is where we want to be and we want to take this opportunity and make this happen. We work everyday with that enthusiasm and passion. I see the team really flowing and being excited to play these games. That has to be the vision and focus.

    "I am full of energy and it is the most incredible part of the season. I wasn’t in this position when I was a player so this is different."

  8. Saliba and Gabriel's partnership 'flows'published at 11:21 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Arsenal v Luton (Wed, 19:30 BST)

    Arsenal

    On the defensive partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba, Mikel Arteta said: "You can see a balance and they compliment each other.

    "They are so happy to play with each other. It just flows. They have been really, really good.

    "Saliba is a massive player for us and you see the impact he has on the team. We need everyone but he is really important."

  9. Luton 'deserve more credit than any other team'published at 11:19 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Arsenal v Luton (Wed, 19:30 BST)

    Arsenal

    On opponents Luton, Mikel Arteta said: "They have made it difficult for every team thye have faced.

    "I have to give big compliments to Rob [Edwards] and the team. They deserve more credit than any other team in this league. I have the most respect for them.

    "It is going to be a really tough match. We had to fight to earn the points [in the reverse fixture] so we know what we’re facing tomorrow."

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:19 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Going to Man City with pragmatism, a plan and team capable of carrying it out, has not been seen from an Arsenal team since it seems forever. Just look at Arsenal squad 4 years ago and compare it to now, that will say everything need to know how far Arsenal have come. Capitulation was outcome of these types of games, no more. This season is still foundational, probably still ahead of where anyone thought could be, but think we better suited to chasing still, so it's very much game on. Think City are struggling with 2 teams taking punches at them, something never had to contend with before.

    Martin

  11. 'Mentally we were strong' against Man Citypublished at 11:17 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Arsenal v Luton (Wed, 19:30 BST)

    Arsenal

    On changing his style of play to get a result against Manchester City, Mikel Arteta said: "You have too. Sometimes because you want to adapt and sometimes because you need to adapt.

    "You have to be resilient and leave your ego and ideologies aside. Mentally we were really strong in the way that we did perform."

    On his side not being satisfied with a point, Arteta added: "You prepare a game to win it and when you feel that you have what it takes to win there and you don’t then you’re not satisfied."

  12. Saka 'is fine'published at 11:12 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Arsenal v Luton (Wed, 19:30 BST)

    Arsenal

    Giving an update on team news, Mikel Arteta said: "Bukayo Saka is fine. We haven’t trained as we’ve been recovering. We will see whether he’s in the best condition to start or not.

    "We are preparing in the best possible way.

    "[Gabriel] Martinelli is available because he was available to play against Manchester City. We will train today and see the state of every player and then make decisions tomorrow.

    "We are pushing for each other and helping each other to contribute in any way. We are going to need everybody."

  13. Can the Gunners still win the league?published at 11:10 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Arsenal v Luton (19:30 BST)

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is chatting to the media right now so we'll bring you his best comments shortly.

    But before we do that, we want to know if you think Arsenal can still win the Premier League. Hit those thumbs people.

  14. Sutton's Premier League predictionspublished at 11:06 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Arsenal v Luton (19:30 BST)

    Arsenal badge and Luton badge

    Arsenal needed a last-gasp Declan Rice goal to clinch a crazy 4-3 win last time these teams met, but it won't be anywhere near as close at the Emirates.

    Luton will have a go, we know that, but the Gunners showed how strong they are defensively in Sunday's goalless draw with Manchester City and I am expecting them to control this game from the start.

    Sutton's prediction: 3-0.

    Jimmy's prediction: There is no way Arsenal are going to drop any points here. 3-1.

  15. get involved

    Get Involved: Did Man City draw cost Arsenal the league?published at 11:03 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    If we’d lost against Man City I think it would have cost us the league. I know we’d only have one less point, but psychologically it would have been hard to recover.

    Tom

  16. Premier League predictions: Chris Sutton v UB40 drummer Jimmy Brownpublished at 11:01 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Chris Sutton's predictions graphic

    BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

    For the midweek matches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, he takes on UB40 drummer and Birmingham City fan Jimmy Brown.

    Brown is not the only Blues fan in UB40 and the band have given one of their classic songs a revamp in honour of their beloved club.

    Forever True is Birmingham City's new anthem, with new lyrics set to the beat of Food For Thought, which is blasted out around St Andrew's at the end of every winning game.

    UB40 held a special concert at the stadium at full-time of Monday's game against Preston where they played the new track and other songs from their new album, UB45, which celebrates 45 years of the band and is out on 19 April.

    You can find the latest round of Premier League predictions here.

  17. 'Supercomputer' says... Liverpoolpublished at 10:57 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Media caption,

    Match of the Day 2: Shearer and Murray discuss who will win Premier League title race

    Match of the Day 2's Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Glenn Murray have their say on who is likely to win the Premier League, as Opta's 'supercomputer' predicts Liverpool as the new favourites.

  18. 'I think there's going to be more twists and turns'published at 10:54 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Speaking on the Monday Night Club

    Micah Richards
    Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Liverpool have got Manchester United away, Everton away and Aston Villa away. You would take this, if you're Liverpool, but they're tricky fixtures. I think there's going to be more twists and turns before the end of the season comes.

    I think have been outstanding. They've done their business quietly. The way they've brought the youngsters in to not just make up the numbers but actually to have an effect.

    It seems as though they've found form at the right time but I still think it's going to go down to the wire.

  19. Are Arsenal fans thinking 'that's going to cost us the league'?published at 10:50 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Speaking on the Monday Night Club

    Chris Sutton
    Former Blackburn striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    My prediction at the start of the season was Manchester City but right now, I don't think they'll win it.

    Liverpool are three points clear of them so the margin of error is so small. Manchester City can't make a mistake, and I think everybody was impressed with the way Arsenal played at the Etihad but you can flip that. I wonder if Arsenal fans are thinking 'it was a good result but could we have been braver? Is that going to be a game that costs us the league because Liverpool are now top'.

    You look at the fixtures that Liverpool have left and they're all pretty winnable, and they have this marvellous habit of finding a way [to win].

  20. Results against top teams 'highlight the marked progress'published at 10:47 British Summer Time 2 April 2024

    Arsenal v Luton (Wed, 19:30 BST)

    Arsenal

    Arsenal fan's voice graphic

    Oli Price-Bates, Fan writer

    While many neutrals will have been frustrated by Arsenal's lack of attacking intent, their ability to stop this deadly Manchester City side from scoring in both Premier League match-ups must be appreciated.

    Across 180 minutes, Pep Guardiola's side managed just two shots on target against Mikel Arteta's men.

    For much of the past decade, Arsenal fans have suffered humiliating defeats in games like this, so to come out of the four matches against Liverpool and City with two wins and two draws highlights the marked progress.

    I am sure 99% of Arsenal fans, including myself, will be more than happy with making the game a little more boring for the neutral at times in a bid to blunt the attack of teams that have previously demolished us.

    It further reinforces the need for another forward with pace, though - especially when Arsenal lacked that extra bit of energy on the flanks with both Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka not fully fit.

    Liverpool already had a star front three and went and bought Luis Diaz a couple of years ago. He made an impact then, and still is now, with an instinctive finish against Brighton as they went top of the table.

    Oli Price-Bates can be found at The Fresh Arsenal podcast, external