Summary

  1. 'We were left to regret last year'published at 15:00 British Summer Time 4 September

    Arsenal v Rangers (19:30 BST)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport senior women's football reporter

    Arsenal's Leah WilliamsonImage source, Getty Images

    England captain Leah Williamson, who missed last season's Women's Champions League qualification stages with Arsenal after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, hopes they can put that disappointment behind them and progress this time around.

    "I think last year was a hurtful situation," she said. "We were left to regret that for the rest of the year. Everyone knows what it feels like to lose and nobody wants to feel that again.

    "I think we're ready and everyone knows what it means. There will certainly be nobody going on the pitch not wanting to win.

    "We've obviously underperformed [previously]. There's been a number of teams at the top of the game that try to take trophies off each other.

    "It doesn't always go your way. I don't think we've been that far away. I feel we're getting closer. I'm enjoying the way we play. [The level] does need to go up but I don't think we're too far away."

    Having triumphed in 2007, Arsenal remain the only English club to win the Women's Champions League and Williamson says a club "of this stature and investment" should progress.

    However, she admitted the Gunners have no given right to be there and must perform.

    "If you go off paper you would expect us to be there, everyone expects us to be there, and we expect that of ourselves," said Williamson, 27.

    "The Emirates Stadium provides a stage for those occasions which is good for women's football but it's not about that, it's about who comes through and puts in the performances. We came up short last year."

  2. Arsenal 'ready' to face Rangerspublished at 14:57 British Summer Time 4 September

    Arsenal v Rangers (19:30 BST)

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport senior women's football reporter

    Arsenal women's manager Jonas EidevallImage source, Getty Images

    Beth Mead and Steph Catley will miss Arsenal's Women's Champions League qualifier against Rangers.

    Forward Mead, 29, missed some of her side's pre-season tour of the United States with a groin issue, while defender Catley, 30 has picked up a minor muscle injury.

    The one-off tie is Arsenal's first competitive game of the season at Meadow Park at 19:30 BST on Wednesday.

    The winners will face either Atletico Madrid or Rosenborg BK in Saturday's first qualifying round final.

    Arsenal failed to progress from the Women's Champions League qualifying rounds last season, but boss Jonas Eidevall said they are better prepared this time around.

    "There are few teams that get the opportunity to play in the Champions League so of course it is an opportunity," he added.

    "We know the qualification stage is not easy. Just ask Manchester City what they think about it.

    "We very much see ourselves as a European club but we know it isn't easy. It will be a real challenge - but we're ready for it."

  3. Cardiff aim to pull off Champions League shockpublished at 14:55 British Summer Time 4 September

    Twente v Cardiff City (18:00 BST)

    Cardiff City

    Cardiff City Women celebrate after rounding off last season with a thumping win over Wrexham in AprilImage source, FAW

    Cardiff City Women will look to pull off a shock when they take on FC Twente in the Champions League first qualifying round on at 18:00 BST.

    Cardiff are in the Champions League for a second successive season having won a domestic treble in 2023-24.

    But Iain Darbyshire’s team face a formidable challenge as they take on the Dutch champions at Sportpark Schreurserve in Enschede, the Netherlands.

    “As a coach and as a football fan, you want to be involved in the biggest competitions and this is the biggest female competition in world football,” head coach Darbyshire told Cardiff’s website.

    “We’re excited for the players to go and show what they can do against huge opposition.”

    Should they overcome their hosts, Cardiff will meet either Icelandic side Valur or ZFK Ljuboten, from North Macedonia, on Saturday, with that game also taking place at Sportpark Schreurserve.

    The winners progress to the second qualifying round.

    Defeat by Twente would see Cardiff play a third-place match against the losers of Valur’s semi-final against ZFK Ljuboten.

    Click here to read more

  4. Women's Champions League build-uppublished at 14:54 British Summer Time 4 September

    From the Championship we switch to the top of the women's game - the Champions League.

    Celtic, we know, have already progressed to the next stage of qualifying following their win after extra time over Finnish side KuPS.

    Let's have a look at some of the other fixtures to come later today...

  5. Newcastle's sporting director visits women's teampublished at 14:51 British Summer Time 4 September

    Emma Sanders
    BBC Sport senior women's football reporter

    We've just heard from Newcastle United Women's head coach Becky Langley, who today signed a new long-term contract.

    They open their Women's Championship season this Sunday at London City Lionesses - a blockbuster fixture between two of the league's favourites to win the title.

    Newcastle have invested in their women's team this summer, signing England Euro 2022 winner Demi Stokes and Northern Ireland's all-time top goalscorer Rachel Furness so the expectations are high.

    Langley says Newcastle's sporting director Paul Mitchell came to visit their training session today and wished them good luck.

  6. How to solve the Salah-Haaland dilemma – FPL talking pointspublished at 14:49 British Summer Time 4 September

    Thomas Woods
    BBC Sport senior journalist

    Mo Salah and Erling HaalandImage source, Getty Images

    The early international break offers Fantasy Premier League players the chance to take a step back and reflect.

    Some pre-season predictions have come true, but some are in the bin - such as my statement that you could go without Mohamed Salah to start with.

    Wrong!

    The most eye-catching element so far has been the performances of FPL's two juggernauts - Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Liverpool's Salah.

    Click here for help to solve that age-old dilemma - how do you fit both in your squad?

  7. Haaland 'has fire in his eyes'published at 14:48 British Summer Time 4 September

    Cesc Fabregas
    Former Spain midfielder on Planet Premier League

    Manchester City striker Erling HaalandImage source, Getty Images

    Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas on if Manchester City striker Erling Haaland reminds him of anyone from his time in the Premier League: "Not really, I struggle to think of someone from when I joined the Premier League 21 years ago who has the level of completeness that he has in his game.

    "He's a fantastic athlete, he's got a fantastic mentality, he's fast, he's strong and he can play.

    "Maybe he's not the greatest playmaker, and might not get involved like a Benzema type of player but we knows exactly what he wants, he has fire in his eyes. His finishing is superb. I struggle in my time to find a striker of this magnitude."

    Fabregas added: "For me he is the number one striker in the world, and on his day, he can destroy any team in the world."

    Listen to the Planet Premier League podcast on BBC Sounds

  8. Salah 'really feels that this is his last year'published at 14:46 British Summer Time 4 September

    Cesc Fabregas
    Former Spain midfielder on Planet Premier League

    Mo SalahImage source, Getty Images

    Cesc Fabregas, manager of Serie A side Como, on Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah's future as he enters the final year of his contract and, according to the Egypt forward, no sign of talks with the club over a potential new deal: "You'd think if you're him, look what I have done for the club over the last eight years. Look how much I won, how much I delivered week after week and how consistent I am.

    "The player is selfish in a way, all of us are, including myself. He wants to be told what is happening and as soon as he made that statement it's because he thought very well of what he wants to say.

    "I believe that he's [Salah] telling the truth. I don't know if he's looking for a new contract. Maybe, yes. Maybe I'm being naive here, but I think knowing Mo a little bit, he will send the message because he really feels that this is his last year and he will move on at the end. From the first of January he can sign with whoever he wants abroad."

    Listen to the Planet Premier League podcast on BBC Sounds

  9. Postpublished at 14:44 British Summer Time 4 September

    From the bargain basement we switch focus to two of the Premier League's most prized assets - Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland...

  10. Winger - Victor Mosespublished at 14:43 British Summer Time 4 September

    Who are the best free agents still looking for a club?

    Victor Moses playing for Spartak MoscowImage source, Getty Images

    Victor Moses, 33, is looking for a new club after leaving Spartak Moscow.

    Moses played 220 Premier League games for five clubs, including Chelsea and Liverpool.

    He spent nine years at Chelsea between 2012 and 2021 after joining from Wigan for £9m.

    Thumbs up if you'd like to see Moses in your team this season, thumbs down if not

  11. get involved

    Get Involved - your club's best free signingpublished at 14:42 British Summer Time 4 September

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Gary MacAllister at Liverpool on a Bosman (remember those?) 2 seasons, 5 trophies, MOTM in a European final, and the winner in a Merseyside derby. There are players who go their entire careers without getting even close to that.

    Rob

    Gary McAllisterImage source, Getty Images
  12. Centre midfield - Adrien Rabiotpublished at 14:41 British Summer Time 4 September

    Who are the best free agents still looking for a club?

    Adrien Rabiot playing for thr France national football teamImage source, Getty Images

    Adrien Rabiot, 29, left Juventus at the end of his contract having made 212 appearances with the Serie A side after signing from Paris St-Germain in 2019.

    The former Manchester City academy player has been linked with Manchester United. Rabiot played for France in the 2022 World Cup final when they lost on penalties to Argentina.

    Thumbs up if you'd like Rabiot in your squad, thumbs down if not

  13. Centre midfield - Andre Gomespublished at 14:40 British Summer Time 4 September

    Who are the best free agents still looking for a club?

    Andre Gomes playing for EvertonImage source, Getty Images

    Andre Gomes, 31, left Everton, who paid £22m for him in 2019, when his contract expired after the 2023-24 season.

    The Portugal international's CV includes spells at Barcelona, Valencia and Lille.

    Reports suggested Gomes was set to move to the United States to play in the MLS but he remains without a club.

    Thumbs up if you need Gomes in your team, thumbs down if not

  14. Forward - Anthony Martialpublished at 14:39 British Summer Time 4 September

    Who are the best free agents still looking for a club?

    anthony martial playing for Manchester unitedImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester United announced in May , externalthat Anthony Martial would be leaving the club after scoring 90 goals in 317 appearances.

    The French striker is still only 28 years old yet he remains without a club.

    Reports in France , externalsuggest Lille, who face Liverpool in the Champions League this season, are interested in Martial and are working on a deal to secure his signature.

    Thumbs up or down, would you like to see Martial at your club?

  15. get involved

    Get Involved - your club's best free signingpublished at 14:37 British Summer Time 4 September

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

    Forest's best free transfer in recent years has to be Ola Aina! Our first-choice fullback on either side, our only functioning fullback last year, Nigeria's best player at AfCoN, plus remember him leaving Kyle Walker for dead last season? Forest fans do!

    Jojo

    Ola AinaImage source, Getty Images
  16. Forward - Memphis Depaypublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 4 September

    Who are the best free agents still looking for a club?

    Memphis Depay playing for the Netherlands at the 2024 European ChampionshipImage source, Getty Images

    Memphis Depay, 30, helped the Netherlands reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024.

    He is on the hunt for a new club after missing a chunk of Atletico Madrid's 2023-24 season because of injury.

    The former Manchester United player spent 18 months at Barcelona and has also played in France at Lyon.

    Would you like Depay at your club? Thumbs up or down

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 4 September

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

    Every time Scotland compete in an international sporting event I'm reminded of what a belter their anthem is. Makes me proud to be Scottish, even though I'm not, at all. Come on Scotland!

    Kate in Stockport

  18. Centre-back - Mats Hummelspublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 4 September

    Who are the best free agents still looking for a club?

    Mats Hummels playing for Borussia Dortmund in the 2023-24 Champions League finalImage source, Getty Images

    Germany 2014 World Cup winner Mats Hummels played in the Champions League final for Borussia Dortmund in June when they lost to Real Madrid at Wembley.

    It was the 35-year-old's final appearance for the club.

    Hummels, whose former clubs also include Bayern Munich, has since been strongly linked with a move to Roma.

    Thumbs up if you need centre-back Hummels at your club.

  19. get involved

    Get Involved - your club's best free signingpublished at 14:27 British Summer Time 4 September

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Joel Matip - played a big part in getting Liverpool back into the top four, then to back-to-back Champions League finals. Got the assist for Origi’s goal in Madrid, then had us competing for the quadruple in 2022. If not for that awful ACL injury, he’d still be here, I’m sure. Unique character. Funny guy. Liverpool legend.

    Lauren, Liverpool fan