While we gear up for those news conferences, let's revisit a hot topic from the weekend - namely Arsenal's striking options.

It was reported in some of today's national newspapers that the Gunners are stepping up their interest in Brentford goal machine Ivan Toney - see BBC Sport's latest gossip column for more details.

Chris Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club that he believes Arsenal do need more attacking options after watching Gabriel Jesus miss a glaring chance to put the Gunners 2-0 up in Sunday's North London Derby, in which Tottenham fought back twice to draw 2-2.

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Right, we heard from Newcastle manager Eddie Howe this morning, talking about Wednesday's heavyweight EFL Cup clash at home to Manchester City.

We have plenty more EFL Cup news conferences to bring you over the next few hours, starting with City boss Pep Guardiola and Chelsea's Mauricio Pochettino in around 30 minutes.

They will be followed later by Brentford's Thomas Frank, Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi and Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta, to name but a few.

Faye White
Ex-England captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

Ultimately England need to get to that final so they can cement a place for GB in the Olympics. We know that in the women's game, the Olympics is just as big as the World Cup and the Euros in terms of the competitiveness of it.

I think [Russo] might get a start. I did like seeing Rachel Daly up front with Lauren Hemp. I think it gave her a good run out and see what she can do there but the Dutch are a step up in quality and rankings than Scotland and it showed how Scotland were in their season and a bit more fitness-ready in that match against England. I think the Dutch will be another test tonight.

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Faye White
Ex-England captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

They have played [the Netherlands] before in England but not gone back to her [Sarina Wiegman's] own country to play. I'm sure it will feel a bit strange but I'm sure she's had enough games for England coaching to know it's not the Dutch she is coaching tonight!

It's just a more competitive qualification system [the Nations League] so I think it is well welcome. I remember during my time in World Cup or Euro qualifiers where you might win 20-0. I think that's good when you want to bed in younger players but equally you want more competitive games.

These games are all going to be hard, competitive matches.

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Spain's women's team are now able to "focus on football" after weeks of controversy since their World Cup win, says midfielder Aitana Bonmati.

Former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales kissed forward Jenni Hermoso following Spain's win over England on 20 August.

It led to players boycotting the team, while manager Jorge Vilda was sacked and Rubiales eventually resigned.

The boycott ended last Wednesday with the team beating Sweden 3-2 on Friday.

That Women's Nations League game was their first since the World Cup final and the first under new head coach Montse Tome.

Most of the players ended the boycott after more than seven hours of talks and the football federation committing to "immediate and profound changes", with the team then flying to Sweden the next day.

"We are setting an example on a sporting and social levels, that men and women should be treated equally," said Uefa Women's Player of the Year and World Cup Golden Ball winner Bonmati, 25.

"The first few days were complicated, with stress, anxiety, but as the days have gone by things have changed. We have now been able to focus on football, which is what we want."

Read the full story.

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Netherlands captain Sherida Spitse, who played under Wiegman during their Euro 2017 success, said the England manager "means a lot" to people back home.

"She not only did a lot of stuff for us but for other people in women's football in the Netherlands," said Spitse.

"In the whole world, in football, I think she is a big name. She is a woman that knows really what she wants. If she wants something, she is going for it 100%.

"That is what you are seeing also [in England]. That is what she did here in the Netherlands. It is nice she is in England for you guys, but she is still a Dutchwoman."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport in Utrecht

Image source, BBC Sport

This is the Stadion Galgenwaard, the home of Utrecht FC that will host tonight’s fixture and where England trained yesterday afternoon.

It’s within walking distance or two metro stops from the city centre, and just a short train ride from Amsterdam.

With a capacity of around 23,000, it’s expected to be sold out for tonight’s game and we know from the scenes at Euro 2017 that the Oranje will be out in numbers supporting the Netherlands.

It hosted four group-stage matches during that tournament and England boss Sarina Wiegman, who was in charge of the Netherlands in 2017, said memories of those games came flooding back to her as their coach arrived in Utrecht for yesterday’s media conference.

It will feel like home for Wiegman and she is expected to get a very warm welcome from the Dutch fans - but she will know her players will be in a hostile environment when the game kicks off and they will need to manage that.

Image source, BBC Sport

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport in Utrecht

England fans have travelled over to Utrecht for tonight's Women's Nations League match against the Netherlands.

It's a nice journey via Amsterdam and there's plenty to see while they're staying here.

Utrecht, much like Amsterdam, is a city weaving along canals and is best experienced on a bike or by walking.

There are lots of bars, local breweries, cafes and restaurants (that aren't too expensive) so it's the perfect away trip for England supporters.

Free Lionesses, the official supporters club, have arranged a meet-up at the Belgisch Biercafe Olivier at lunchtime.

From there they will make their way through the city centre before jumping on a tram from Utrecht Central to Stadion Galgenwaard.

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One player to have benefitted from Wiegman's arrival is Manchester City winger Lauren Hemp.

She scored three goals at the Women's World Cup this summer, playing in a more central position up front alongside Arsenal striker Russo.

Hemp says she enjoys being "challenged" by Wiegman and has "confidence and belief" in her game.

"Sarina is a fantastic coach. Ever since she got the job, I feel like she's taken this team to a whole new level. For me personally, I'm learning every single day," she said.

"I feel like I'm getting so much better and getting so much more confident as the days go by. We've got a great coaching staff and she's the head of it. She's unbelievable.

"At the end of training sessions, we're always doing parts that help us individually so I feel like that's something that I'm implementing in my game."

Wiegman enjoyed huge success while in charge of the Netherlands, guiding them to a first major trophy at Euro 2017, then a World Cup final in 2019.

She joined England in September 2021, leading them on a 30-game unbeaten run which included victory at Euro 2022, before reaching the 2023 World Cup final.

Asked to compare the two different experiences, Wiegman said: "The big difference is that the women's game has developed a lot. In England, everything is three times as big.

"The media attention is bigger, the number of players we have available is more, the league is fully professional, also the FA [Football Association] is a much bigger association than the Dutch association is.

"So many people are involved in the women's game. We are a few steps ahead.

"First of all, it's very special to go through this. Where we were, from 500 spectators to now, when things are completely different."

Image source, BBC Sport

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England manager Sarina Wiegman says it will feel "special but strange" to face her home country the Netherlands in the Women's Nations League.

Wiegman led the Netherlands to Euro 2017 glory on home soil before winning Euro 2022 with England at Wembley.

It is the first time she has returned to her homeland with her current side and the teams will play in Utrecht.

"Of course I have some memories here and so do the English. It's very nice being here," said Wiegman.

"It's just very special. We know each other really well. I know most of the staff, the players and it's in the Netherlands so lots of people will be in the stands.

"When we arrived, we have some memories that came back. Of course you have to move on. We have a big game tomorrow so we have to focus on that game."

Now to the Nations League, where England face the Netherlands and World Cup winners Spain play their first home match since being crowned champions in Australia and New Zealand this summer.

England boss Sarina Wiegman was joined by Manchester City winger Lauren Hemp at the pre-match news conference on Monday to discuss the upcoming clash in Utrecht...

Lasse Sorensen's journey got us thinking, what are the best faiytales in football?

Think Luton Town's journey from the brink of administration to the Premier League, and Leicester City winning the Premier League title despite 5000/1 odds.

Get involved via the methods above and let us know!

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Lincoln City midfielder Lasse Sorensen has been studying fairytales after going back to school and is now looking to write his own, when his side host West Ham in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

"The school takes it right back to analyse fairytales, novels and old scripts from 300 years ago," he said.

"So all the very boring stuff that I don't think anybody really finds interesting, I certainly didn't! I've done every fairytale Hans Christian Andersen has written."

Speaking about the clash with the Hammers, he said: "It's always 11 v 11. Some might be the favourites and some the underdogs but if you want it more than the others, you are the ones who win it.

"You've always got to believe in yourself to do the thing most people think you can't."

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A final word from Newcastle United defender Dan Burn on Monday Night Club: "In any club you need competition for places, if the same players are playing every week it can get a bit complacent and you need people pushing you in training every week. We’ve added some good players.

"For the new lads coming in, I feel it takes a while to be able to play in this team with the amount of information you have to take in. Pressing, on the ball, different patterns we use – you’ve seen it with signings. Anthony Gordon came in, in January and didn’t hit the ground running as quickly as he would have liked but he’s been on fire at the start of this season where he’s getting used to the players around him.

"You see how every top team is swapping formations during games. We now have different patterns for our crossing areas – it makes it clear for everyone wherever the ball is you know where the ball is going. I think that’s the way it’s going and it does take a little while to get used to how the manager wants to play."

Listen to the full episode.

Dan Burn, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, on Newcastle's return to the Champions League: "The season we had last season to overachieve and make the Champions League, it’s about going again and proving it wasn’t just a one season thing.

"That was in the thinking, the media were saying we’ve been concentrating too much on the Champions League and we were ruthless (against Sheffield United).

"I think our mentality is to attack every single game and it was important to get three clean sheets in a row.

"When you’re going Saturday to Wednesday it’s more recovery days going into the games but it’s special for us this season. To have the opportunity to play Champions League football is very special."

Listen to the full episode.

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Before we move on from Newcastle United, let's here from defender Dan Burn, who was a guest on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

He was asked about a range of topics - from Newcastle's return to the Champions League and competition for places at the club to his own international ambitions.

"I think anyone wants to play for their country, it’s the pinnacle of people’s career," he said.

"I’m 31 now so I’m not as young as I was. Maybe 20 years ago, when players were picked on just form, I’d have had a couple of caps [by now] but I don’t think that’s how it’s done now and that’s probably the right way to do it.

"If you look at how we’ve performed over the last tournaments, it’s been more like a club.

"We’ve got a lot of good, young centre-halves and left-backs coming through, so I understand why they’re taking them for experience and not me. It’s not something I’m bitter about."

Listen to the full episode.