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Ayub Timbe is among the first professional players who have reported to the Harambee Stars camp as they prepare to face Comoros in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header.

Timbe, who is currently unattached after announcing he had parted ways with Chinese club Beijing Renhe, was among the first foreign-based stars to arrive for the team’s residential training on Saturday night, alongside striker John Avire, who turns out for Tanta SC in Egypt, and Ismael Gonzalez of UD Las Palmas in Spain.

“It is a good sign to have the professionals coming in,” Kenya coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee told Goal after the trio reported to camp.

“You know how difficult it is for several nations to get their players considering the Covid-19 situation, so I am happy they have arrived and we now wait and see if the rest will make it.

“It is important to have your full squad around so you can plan properly, we need all our foreign-based players to come so we can pick the best squad to face Comoros.”

Other foreign-based players expected in camp include striker Michael Olunga, captain Victor Wanyama, Eric Johanna, Brian Mandela, keeper Arnold Origi, Joseph Okumu, and Johanna Omollo.

However, Goal understands Olunga might not travel for the match as the Kashiwa Reysol camp has been hit by three coronavirus cases, including their coach, and recently Japan's Professional League (JPL) confirmed the match between Kashiwa and Vegalta Sendai had to be rescheduled.

Olunga’s head coach Nelsinho Baptista was among the confirmed members of the team who had contracted the virus but the identities of the other people who tested positive have not been made public yet.

On Friday, Harambee Stars were taken through the laws of the game at Safari Park Hotel ahead of their Afcon clash.

Under the tutelage of Fifa referee Dr. Peter Waweru, the course was aimed at putting the players and the members of the technical bench up to date on the ever-changing laws of the game.

Gor Mahia midfielder and captain Kenneth Muguna was particularly impressed with the knowledge he gained in the session, saying it will go a long way to keep them abreast with constant changes of the game.

“As a player, such a forum is important to me in that I get to keep abreast with the laws of the game that are constantly changing,” Muguna told the FKF official website.

“This session will go a long way in helping me to know what to do and what not to do in a game situation.”

The Comoros qualifiers - set for November 11 and 15 - offers Kenya a chance to fight for a first group win since they drew 1-1 against both Egypt and Togo in the first two games.

The Harambee Stars are in the hunt for back-to-back Afcon qualification since they took part in the 2019 edition but were eliminated in the group stage.

Angel Di Maria wants to end his European adventure at Paris Saint-Germain, but suggested the club need to show willingness in contract negotiations.

Di Maria returned to the PSG domestic side in some style on Saturday, scoring twice and crafting another goal for Moise Kean in a 3-0 win over Rennes in Ligue 1.

It was the Argentina international’s first appearance in Ligue 1 since September 28, having been handed a four-match ban for spitting at Marseille defender Alvaro during a bad-tempered clash.

Di Maria has turned out for some giants of the European game since moving over from Rosario Central in 2007, but he does not want to add to his stable of European clubs - which includes Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United and PSG - as he feels at home in the French capital.

“I want to end my European career here, but it's not only up to me,” Di Maria told Canal +. 

Di Maria’s current contract is up at the end of the season, and he is doing his best to earn fresh terms.

The 32-year-old added on his current form: “It's good. I am happy about it. It's a club where there is a lot of affection towards me. I am doing my best.”

Coach Thomas Tuchel is under pressure to deliver at PSG, after their agonising Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich last season. 

The German has the backing of Di Maria, who said: “Yes, we still support Tuchel. He is a great coach, who led us to the final of the Champions League. He did the maximum for us, and we are giving the maximum for him. He has our full confidence. And he trusts us too."

The win over Rennes did not erase the memories of the loss to RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday, and Tuchel bristled at questions over his team selection - particularly the role of Marquinhos who has been deployed both in defence and midfield this term.

"You [journalists] lack respect for the players we have and for what the team has to do,” Tuchel said. “And it is very sad. I am very happy with the team and proud of its performance.

"The result is better, but we didn't play better than Wednesday. We had a great fight and the mentality was exceptional. 

“The guys have been amazing despite the new injuries. I am very happy and proud. It's one of the best wins since I've been here.”

Jurgen Klopp is fearful that coronavirus could run through his Liverpool squad when his players return from international duty.

Liverpool face Manchester City in a blockbuster Premier League clash on Sunday, after which a chunk of his squad will depart to link up with their respective international teams.

While admitting no one is safe with coronavirus infections high in the UK at present, Klopp - who said that the title battle is not a two-horse race - feels Liverpool have procedures in place to limit risk.

However, he does not know what protocols are in place with the international teams and would be in favour of being allowed to keep his players from leaving if the club were not satisfied with the arrangements.

"Yes I am concerned,” Klopp said, according to the Mirror. “But I am concerned anyway at the moment with all these things.

"For us it feels safer when we are all together here at the training ground.

“We have had some cases, not many but some – though not for a while which is good – but it can happen because of the time we are living in.

“But the problem when they go on ­international duty is we have no power.

"We tried to find out what all the protocols are with all the different FAs but it’s up to those individual FAs to answer or not.

“They don’t have to – and FIFA so far is not really involved in that.

“It would be a massive help that if you don’t get a reply from an FA, for example, then you don’t send the player. And then I’m certain you would get 100 per cent replies and you’d know that the protocols are all fine.

“But with some we don’t know and there is nothing we can really do.”

After the clash with City at the Etihad on Sunday, Klopp will see a host of his players disappear for around 12 days.

As well as the time away, Klopp is concerned about the fatigue factor. Netherlands international Georginio Wijnaldum, for example, could be involved in three games in the space of seven days as the Dutch have a friendly with Spain on November 11, followed by Nations League matches with Bosnia & Herzegovina and Poland on the 15th and the 18th of the month respectively.

“I am concerned not just about Covid but also that playing three games in nine days is massive,” Klopp said.

Diego Simeone played down the importance of Atletico Madrid's upcoming clash with Barcelona after they moved top of La Liga.

Atletico extended their unbeaten run in La Liga to 23 games – the most in their history – with a 4-0 thrashing of Cadiz on Saturday.

Joao Felix scored a brace and goals from Marcos Llorente and Luis Suarez at the Wanda Metropolitano moved Atletico onto 17 points from seven league games.

Simeone's men will host Barca after the international break, but the Atletico coach said it would not be a decisive clash as they prepare for a prolonged title charge.

"They know us, they know that beyond happiness we do not depend on what is going to happen in the game against Barcelona," he said. 

"There are 15 days left, players leave with the national team, we will have to wait for the time we have and we do not move away from that. It is our way of thinking and we live in the next game. 

"We will see when the players return in what conditions we see them and we will form the teams accordingly."

Since being humbled 4-0 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League last month, Atletico have won four of five games.

Simeone praised the form of his side, who are joined by Real Sociedad – who have played one more game – on 17 points at the top.

"What generates enthusiasm and enthusiasm for me is what has happened since the draw against Huesca or Villarreal or the defeat in Munich," he said. 

"I see the team well, with dynamics, enthusiasm, strength, desire to do things and see how we evolve in training. What makes me happy is that those players who had fewer minutes like [Mario] Hermoso, [Hector] Herrera or Llorente last year, today are being very important in the team. 

"There is an improvement far beyond today's result. We play with four midfielders who can occupy many places. I think we have a balanced squad. 

"Let's wait for the return of those who are out – [Sime] Vrsaljko will replace [Kieran] Trippier, Vitolo, [Diego] Costa, [Yannick] Carrasco."

Eight-time winners Perak began their 2020 Malaysia Cup campaign in style, thumping minnows Kelantan United 4-0 in their first round match on Saturday.

The Bos Gaurus had Leandro dos Santos to thank; the Brazilian midfielder's hat-trick (7', 21', 48') helping them overcome the second-tier club. Careca sealed the win with an injury time goal.

In the post-game interview with the match broadcaster, Perak boss Mehmet Durakovic told that his side need to be more clinical with their finishing. 

"What we wanted to do was to pressure and pressure [United] and it paid off, so I'm very happy with the outcome of the game.

"I told my boys to take their chances; we had so many chances in the first half it could have been four or five. At the end of the day, if you don't score when playing against a good team, you'll get punished. We led 2-0 at halftime but if my team had put their chances away, it could have been four or five!" explained the Australian.

He was also full of praise for the night's hat-trick hero Leandro.

"I'm not surprised [that dos Santos would get a hat-trick]. I've known him for a long time; he plays the full 90 minutes and never ever gives up. I'm very happy for him and his family." 

Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo wants to see his side play with more confidence and completely dominate matches as they look to claim a third straight win in all competitions. 

While Pirlo accused his side of being egotistical after beating Ferencvaros 4-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday, the Turin boss talked up his side's progress ahead of their Serie A clash against Lazio on Sunday. 

With eight goals in their last two games, Pirlo believes Juve are close to taking a big step forward under his leadership and is hopeful they can start putting in full 90 minute performances. 

Pirlo also reserved special praise for Alvaro Morata, who has five goals in as many games for the reigning Serie A champions. 

"We had some interesting pointers in terms of performance and how we develop the attacking play from the midfield," Pirlo said. 

"We occupied the attacking spaces well and that is positive, so while we still need to improve, we are on the right track playing a different football to what this team was accustomed to in the past.

"Goals from midfielders are important and we are working to get more of them pushing forward, like Adrien Rabiot and Weston McKennie.

“I always knew Morata was a complete player and not just in his finishing, so what he's done in recent matches is not a surprise. He is always involved in the play and have always looked to him.

"What I would like to see is a team with more confidence and that is dominating the match. That could be a big step forward to take."

Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini has been ruled out of Sunday's encounter at Lazio due to a thigh injury. The Italy centre-back did the damage in training on Saturday and will not feature at Stadio Olimpico.

Juve stated that Chiellini will be evaluated in the next few days, while midfielder Aaron Ramsey also misses out on the trip to the capital. The midfielder sustained a thigh injury in the Champions League victory over Ferencvaros in midweek and has also pulled out of his national side's latest squad.

Lazio are unbeaten in five matches in all competitions and Pirlo is expecting an entertaining encounter in the Eternal City.

"It is certainly going to be a great game, because Lazio-Juventus is an enjoyable match to play," Pirlo said. 

"It will also be difficult, as Lazio are a wonderful team and proved that in recent years, so it’s tough, but exciting. We imagined their classic 3-5-2 with a very tight defence. They are very good on the counter, especially with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, as well as their forwards.

"This is why we must be wary of making technical errors that can spark those counters."

Hansi Flick has urged caution amid speculation that key midfielder Joshua Kimmich suffered a knee injury during Bayern Munich’s 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Kimmich lost possession near the halfway line and made a desperate lunge to take the ball off Erling Haaland. 

The Germany star was unable to win the ball off Haaland and fell awkwardly, suffering what appeared to be a knee injury in the process.

Kimmich received treatment for a sustained period before being helped to his feet by team-mates and carried from the field of play by two of Bayern’s medical staff.

Bayern went on to win the game 3-2 to move to the top of the Bundesliga table, but the victory was soured by the injury to Kimmich.

Kimmich’s team-mate Leon Goretzka stated that he thought the German had overstretched his knee, but Flick will await scan results before talking about the player’s condition.

"Joshua will fly with us and then be examined,” Flick said. “I don't know yet and don't want to anticipate anything. We have to wait now. I am not participating in speculation.

"He's an important player for us in this position. In addition to his mentality, he also has outstanding quality. It'll be difficult, but we made it today against a good Dortmund team."

Any sustained period of absence for Kimmich would be a serious blow to Bayern, but the one positive is that the win over Dortmund was the final game before the international break and Goretzka is hopeful his team-mate will be able to shrug off the problem.

“He has a good healing power so we hope for the best,” Goretzka said, while Thomas Muller took to Twitter and called on the midfielder to “get well soon.”

Bayern are not in action again until November 21, when they entertain Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga, by which time the extent of Kimmich's injury will be known.

While the loss of Kimmich is a blow, Bayern dealt with his absence admirably against Dortmund.

Bayern fell behind to a goal from Marco Reus but efforts from David Alaba, Robert Lewandowski and Leroy Sane were enough to seal the win despite a late strike from Haaland.

Wilfried Zaha has felicitated with Eberechi Eze on his first Crystal Palace goal in Saturday’s 4-1 Premier League demolition of Leeds United.

The Nigeria prospect got a goal and an assist as the Eagles returned to winning ways after bowing 2-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers their last time out.

Scott Dann had given Roy Hodgson’s men a desirable start at Selhurst Park in the 12th minute after firing the ball past goalkeeper Illan Meslier thanks to Eze’s assist.

It was the Anglo-Nigerian’s turn to find the net after his well taken free-kick hoisted over the wall and sailed into the near top left corner – leaving Meslier with no chance.

That effort was the 22-year-old’s maiden strike for new club as well as his first strike in the English elite division. In the process, he extended his notable personal record. That was the fifth time he has scored and assisted in a single league game.

The last time he achieved this feat was against Preston North End in March during a Championship game while at Queens Park Rangers.

Although Patrick Bamford reduced the deficit for Marcelo Bielsa’s team, Helder Costa’s own goal plus a 70th minute strike from Ghana international Jordan Ayew sealed the win in the five-goal thriller.

Revelling in his team’s result, the Cote d’Ivoire star who had an assist to show for his effort took to social media to congratulate the former Wycombe Wanderers star.

“Enjoyed today’s performance. Congrats on your first Palace goal Eberechi Eze,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, Eze acknowledged the tweet by appreciating the former Manchester United man.

“Appreciate it bro!” Eze responded.

Eze as well as Zaha were on parade from start to finish as they climbed to seventh in the English topflight log after accruing 13 points from eight games. For Leeds United, they occupy the 14th spot with 10 points from the same number of matches.

After the international break, Crystal Palace travel to Turf Moor for a date with struggling Burnley on November 21 before hosting Newcastle United seven days later.

Bielsa’s men would be eyeing redemption when they welcome Pierre-Emerick and Nicolas Pepe’s Arsenal on November 22.

Former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder Alex Song has reportedly joined Djibouti Premier League club Arta/Solar7.

According to Football237 via L’Equipe, the former Cameroon star has penned a two-year deal with the Djiboutian giants, eight months after he was released by Sion.

Song was among the four African players sacked by the Swiss Super League club in March for refusing to take a pay cut due to the coronavirus outbreak.

In addition to his playing role in Djibouti, Song will be expected to supervise their youth development after meeting with the club's president.

Arta/Solar 7 are reigning Djibouti Cup champions which automatically guarantees them a place in next season’s Caf Confederation Cup.

Last month, Song announced the completion of an international school he built in Douala - the Canadian International School and College which boasts a daycare, nursery, primary and secondary school.

The 33-year-old who started his playing career in France with Bastia, has enjoyed a nomadic career across Europe with stints at Arsenal, Charlton Athletic, Barcelona, West Ham United, Rubin Kazan and Sion.

A few months ago, the combative midfielder revealed he left Arsenal to join Spanish giants Barcelona in 2012 because of a lucrative deal despite being warned about a probable lack of playing time.

“When FC Barcelona offered me a contract and I saw how much I would earn, I didn't think twice about it," Song said.

"I thought my wife and children should have a comfortable life. I met the sporting director and he said I wouldn't play many games, but I didn't give a sh*t. I knew I was going to be a millionaire."

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has singled out Thiago Silva for his "big impact" since arriving at the club. 

The veteran defender scored his first goal for the Blues on Saturday as they came from behind to defeat Sheffield United 4-1 in the Premier League. 

Despite a shaky debut, Silva has since impressed in Chelsea's defence with Lampard's side conceding just once across their past six matches in all competitions. 

Lampard always expected Silva to be a success at Stamford Bridge but he has been blown away by the 36-year-old's conduct on and off the pitch. 

"I knew the player that he was when he came here because of the career he had," Lampard said in a post-match press conference. 

"He played in the Champions League final a few weeks before coming here, but his level of performance since he’s been here, without much of a pre-season, the influence, individual performance, the way he is between games, he attacks training so diligently.

"He looks at opposition when we are having meetings, he wants to know. So I have a lot of conversations with him. He has been brilliant, I can’t say enough about him. Then he gets the goal today, a very good goal. He has made a big impact.

"I am very open to make sure we give him the best rest in between and make things easy for him. He looks fit, he is fit, he’s fresh and he is helping and rubbing off on others around him. Long may that continue."

N'Golo Kante also impressed for the Blues on Saturday as the Frenchman claimed an assist and completed a game-high three tackles. 

There was speculation Kante was close to leaving Chelsea over the summer, but Lampard has stressed his importance to the side and revealed his own efforts to ensure the 29-year-old remains fit. 

“He played about 50 per cent of the games last year and that is a big loss for half the season, a player of his level," Lampard said. 

"So I made a big, big step to try to manage his training and games and make sure that we attempt to have him fit and ready for as many games as we can.

"His attributes are incredible, he can play in many positions in the midfield. The energy and ability to win the ball back, but also his ability on the ball, which is sometimes underrated, is amazing. He can play in different roles.

"People always want to talk about that he’s the best defensive midfielder and should be in a deeper role. But he can play in lots of different roles to massive effect and I am pleased he is fit now. We will have to keep managing that to make sure he stays fit, because he is massively important.”

Frank Lampard praised Hakim Ziyech's start to his Chelsea career as "remarkable" after the forward's starring role in their 4-1 win over Sheffield United.

The Blues recovered after conceding for the first time in 459 minutes in all competitions through David McGoldrick's ninth-minute effort to keep pace at the top of the Premier League table.

Goals from Tammy Abraham, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Timo Werner ensured a victory that puts Chelsea a point behind leaders Southampton and second-placed Liverpool.

Ziyech had a hand in three of the goals at Stamford Bridge, supplying two assists, and creating a game-high six chances.

The former Ajax man created the most chances of any player in the league this season, and Lampard is particularly impressed with how he has adapted given the 2019-20 Eredivisie season was abandoned back in April.

"We played against [Ziyech] in the Champions League last year - he's a top-class player," Lampard told Sky Sports. "He impresses you even more when you work with him.

"The Dutch league finished a long time ago, then he had an injury so to hit the ground running like he has, he has been remarkable.

"He will be a big player for us. I need players who can come in and lift the level. That's hard. The midfield were great with their driving runs."

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Lampard added on Ziyech: "He has given us an extra edge and a different threat. He’s been out for a long time so it’s been really impressive how quickly he’s hit the ground running. He gives us a different style in terms of the left foot off the right side. It’s something we haven’t had much of in recent years.

"The ability to find the last pass or the last cross or assist to break teams down that have a low blow – we saw that today. His personality rubs off. I keep talking about personality. I think it’s a huge thing in football. The signings we’ve brought in have brought a lot on and off the pitch.

"The confidence he exudes and how much he wants to receive the ball and be the important player that makes the assist has been a big plus." 

Atletico Madrid moved top of the table as they extended their unbeaten run to 23 LaLiga games by thrashing Cadiz 4-0 at Wanda Metropolitano.

Diego Simeone's team – the only unbeaten side remaining in Spain's top flight – made light work of opponents who had won their last four away matches without conceding, and Joao Felix was the star.

With help from the woeful Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma, Atleti raced into a two-goal lead by the 22nd minute, as Joao Felix and Marcos Llorente struck.

Having teed up Luis Suarez for a third after the break, Joao Felix then doubled his tally with a thumping 90th-minute strike to cap off a resounding success ahead of Atleti's clash with Barcelona in 14 days' time.

Atleti had the lead inside eight minutes – Jeremias fumbling Koke’s free-kick to Llorente, whose cross was headed home by Joao Felix.

Jeremias' shocking start continued when he flapped at another cross, with Juan Cala subsequently going close to scoring an own goal, and Atleti did not have to wait long for their second.

Llorente elected to shoot from a tight angle and Jeremias failed to react, allowing the ball through at his near post.

Jeremias palmed a cross straight to Saul Niguez just after the half-hour mark, but the midfielder's tap-in was disallowed for offside, while Suarez twice went close.

Suarez had his goal six minutes into the second half, however – drilling in across Jeremias after latching onto Joao Felix's throughball, with the goal given after a VAR check overturned an initial offside decision.

Jan Oblak had his first save to make just before the hour, getting down to Jairo Izquierdo's deflected strike.

Another Cadiz substitute, Jon Ander Garrido, forced Oblak into a fine stop, though Cadiz's impressive away run had crumbled.

And there was still time for Joao Felix's emphatic second, which was set up wonderfully by Angel Correa.
 

What does it mean? Atleti's run rolls on

Atleti's streak without suffering a defeat dates back to a derby defeat to Real Madrid in February. It is their best-ever unbeaten stint in LaLiga and the longest current run of any team in Europe's top-five leagues.

This win put them ahead of Real Sociedad, who have played a game more and whose fixture on Sunday may well be called off due to their opponents Granada having been hit by a glut of positive coronavirus tests.

City rivals Madrid and Villarreal, who also play on Sunday, would move above Atleti with wins. 

Joao Felix on fire

It was an impressive display from Joao Felix, who scored twice and collected an assist for Suarez's goal as well as creating a game-high forur chances.

The Portugal international has scored doubles in three of his last four appearances, with his second season with Atletico proving much more impressive than his first.

Llorente is also thriving. Initially brought in as a holding player, he is now a robust, all-action attacking option and, since the start of 2020, only Lionel Messi (five) has scored and provided an assist in the same game on more occasions than the four he has managed.

Jeremias' horror show sets the tone

Cadiz's goalkeeper had conceded just once in his previous five LaLiga appearances prior to Saturday's clash, but Jeremias showed none of that form during an abysmal first-half display.

Having cost his side for Joao Felix's opener, he was a constant liability from crosses, and should have done far better with his attempt to keep out Llorente's strike. In total, he made just three saves from seven shots on target.

Key Opta Facts:

- Joao Felix has scored six goals in his last four appearances in all competitions, as many as he registered in his previous 26 matches.
- This was Joao Felix's first headed goal for Atletico in 46 outings for the club.
- Llorente has both scored and assisted in the same game for Atletico for the fourth time in all competitions, though this was the first time he had done so as a starter.
- No Atletico player has made more assists in 2020 in all competitions than Correa (seven), while Suarez has scored with five of his eight league shots on target this season.
- Atletico are unbeaten in their last 11 meetings against Cadiz in LaLiga (W7 D4), since their 2-0 defeat at Ramon de Carranza in March 1989.

What's next?

In-form Atleti welcome Ronald Koeman's Barca to Wanda Metropolitano for a huge clash on November 21 after the international break, with Cadiz in action at home against Real Sociedad a day later.

Angel Di Maria made up for lost time in Ligue 1 by scoring twice in a starring role in Paris Saint-Germain's 3-0 victory over Rennes at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.

The Argentina winger was banned for four matches for spitting at Marseille defender Alvaro during an ugly Classique and last featured in France's top flight against Reims on September 27.

But it was his pressing that forced the error from which Moise Kean scored his third Ligue 1 goal and Di Maria added a second after 20 minutes with an audacious chip.

Di Maria added somewhat unfair gloss in the second half as PSG provided a good riposte to a damaging 2-1 reverse against RB Leipzig in the Champions League, although Kean was one of four enforced subs for Thomas Tuchel as the PSG coach's injury list mounted.

Rennes mixed bright play with careless passing early on and it was from one such lax interchange between goalkeeper Alfred Gomis and James Lea Siliki that Di Maria toed into the path of Kean, who drilled expertly into the bottom-left corner.

Only the post denied Di Maria's excellent long-ranger on the half-volley but the awesome Argentine doubled the lead with a sumptuous piece of skill after collecting Ander Herrera's throughball.

Steven N'Zonzi's aerial prowess caused a couple of nervy moments, while Kean put a free header over the top himself.

PSG did not show a great deal of adventure, though the fact Kean limped off in the 61st minute after Idrissa Gueye, Thilo Kehrer and Alessandro Florenzi had already been subbed perhaps explained a more measured approach.

Instead, Rennes asked more second-half questions without ever troubling the opposition, handball claims against Leandro Parades and Danilo Pereira from the same Hamari Traore cross not interesting the VAR.

But it was game over when Di Maria drifted in from the right and picked out the far corner with a deflected daisy-cutter in the 73rd minute to cap a fine outing.

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal allowed Emiliano Martinez to leave for Aston Villa because it was the right thing to do for a goalkeeper who had spent more than a decade in north London.

Martinez made the switch to the Midlands in the summer after failing to be given assurances by Arteta that he would be number one this season.

The Argentine keeper had stepped in for the injured Bernd Leno during the final months of the 2019-20 campaign and played a key role in Arsenal’s FA Cup success.

But, with Leno’s return to fitness in the off-season, Martinez was not guaranteed to remain first choice and at 28 years old he was determined to play regular football.

So, when Villa came knocking, he was willing to make the move and, after some lengthy negotiations, a £20 million ($26m) deal was agreed between the two clubs.

Martinez will return to Arsenal for the first time on Sunday having enjoyed an impressive start to life at Villa Park and there are many who believe Arteta sold the wrong keeper in the summer.

But the Spaniard insists he has no regrets and believes the club did the right thing by granting Martinez’s wishes and allowing him to join a rival Premier League club.

“When we sat down we believed it was the right thing to do,” said Arteta. “He was still very willing to get the No.1 shirt and play regularly – I think we had to give him the choice to decide where he wanted to play.

“He has earned a lot of respect in this country, he has been here for 10 years and with his performances for us in the last few months, he believed it was the right club for him so I was happy to let him go and make the right decision for his career.

“He has become really hungry, really competitive and was really clear about what he wanted to do in the next chapter of his career so I am sure he will be a success.”

Arsenal go into Sunday’s game, one place below Villa on goal difference in the Premier League table.

Last weekend’s away win at Manchester United got Arteta’s side back on track after successive defeats against Manchester City and Leicester, and Hector Bellerin was key to the 1-0 success at Old Trafford.

It was the Spaniard who was fouled by Paul Pogba for the penalty which resulted in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s winner and Arteta believes Arsenal are now beginning to see the best of their full-back following the cruciate ligament injury he suffered in January 2019.

“I think when you have a big injury like that it can take almost a year for your brain to reset and accept that injury and biomechanically become the same player,” said Arteta.

“After that you have to recover and rediscover those performances, that consistency in the minutes you are able to play – which is something he has struggled with in recent years – but when something starts to get more natural, you start to get the flow.

“He is more confident, he is playing regularly, he is able to do more things, he ends the game in a much better way physically and he recovers better.

“What happens, happens but his performances are getting better and better.”

Arteta added: "Hector is a player who has special feelings towards the club because he has been here a long time and he is very grateful for all the coaches, the staff, the club and the fans have done for him.

"He is always willing to pay that confidence back, that respect back and that loyalty back – it is something you need in our dressing room because at the end of the day that is the habit of this football club."

Jurgen Klopp says it will take bravery and “close-to-perfect organisation” if Liverpool are to get a positive result at Manchester City on Sunday.

The Reds travel to the Etihad knowing victory would move them eight points clear of one of their main title rivals – a significant gap even at this early stage of the campaign.

A win for City, though, would move Pep Guardiola’s side to within two points of the champions with a game in hand. 

City won 4-0 when the sides last met back in July, shortly after Liverpool had been crowned league champions, and Klopp believes that fixture is the perfect example of what can happen if your team are not completely ready for the challenge.

“If you are not 100 per cent focused on the game against City, you will lose big!” he told reporters. “I am not sure I needed that game as proof, but that is 100 per cent the case.

“It was the first time we won the league, so I had no idea how to prepare the next game to be honest. I didn’t want to overdo it like ‘boys forget what happened three days ago, now let’s show the whole world against City’ blah, blah, blah. 

“I know my boys wanted to win that game, but we were not as focused as we usually are in these games. We still played some good football that night but unfortunately we didn’t score and they scored four times. 

“But let me say it like this, it was not the most heavy defeat in my life.”

Klopp’s record generally against Guardiola is a good one. In fact, of all the managers to have faced the Catalan six times or more, the Reds boss is the only one to have won more games than he has lost – a record he will maintain if his side avoid defeat this weekend.

“We should meet much more often then, eh?” he joked before adding: “No, I’m happy that we don’t, to be honest! 

“I’m not aware of records, but I know that we met from time to time and that we didn’t lose all of the games. But I know that every game was incredibly difficult, incredibly difficult. They are very intense, and that is the only thing I am concerned about, not how we played in the last games.

“We need to be ready to compete in this game, and for that you need to have close-to-perfect organisation, and you need to be really brave, play your own football and cause them problems as well. 

“It sounds so easy, it’s not rocket science but it’s still so difficult because they put you under massive pressure. 

“But we can do that as well. It’s always an interesting game, and hopefully it will be on Sunday as well, because that will mean we have been good! That’s the first step in the right direction.”

Klopp is likely to recall Joel Matip to his starting line-up, with the Cameroon international expected to partner Joe Gomez at centre-back.

He also faces a decision in attack, with Diogo Jota pushing hard for a start after his Champions League hat-trick against Atalanta in midweek. 

Roberto Firmino was left on the bench for that game, but could be brought back in against City - either instead of, or as well as, Jota.

Thiago Alcantara will miss the game with a knee injury, joining Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Virgil van Dijk on the sidelines.

Luis Suarez claimed his 29th La Liga scalp on Saturday as the veteran Atletico Madrid forward showed once more that his instincts around the net remain as sharp as ever. 

The Uruguay ace lined up in attack alongside Joao Felix to take on La Liga newcomers Cadiz, with the chance to join Real Sociedad at the top of the table with a win. 

And it proved a routine evening for Diego Simeone's men, as Felix hit two goals to take his league tally to five, while Suarez and Marco Llorente also netted to down the visitors 4-0. 

Suarez's strike was Atletico's third, coming just after half time as the striker converted in typical fashion from close range. 

He has long been the scourge of La Liga defences since joining Barcelona from Liverpool in 2014, and now boasts another victim in the Spanish top flight. 

Cadiz became the 29th team to concede from Suarez in his six years in Spain, out of a possible total of 29, although despite defeat the newcomers remain in sixth place thanks to their positive start to the season. 

The forward's strike-rate also stands out as he continues to show his ruthless side in front of goal. Saturday's goal took him to five for the season in La Liga, tying with Felix as the division's top scorer so far. 

Those strikes have come from just eight shots on target, moreover; in comparison, former team-mate Lionel Messi has needed no less than 16 to reach his current league tally of three, with two of those coming from the penalty spot. 

Suarez's attentions now turn to international duty, with Uruguay taking on Colombia and Brazil in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. 

When he returns to club duty, however, a rather special reunion is on the cards. Atletico host none other than Barcelona in their first game back from the break, in a La Liga clash scheduled for November 21. 

Should the Uruguayan get the better of his former team-mates and find the back of the net he will take his list of league victims to 30 and maintain that perfect record of scoring against every opponent he has faced. 

Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin has been called up to the Spain squad as replacement for Jesus Navas.

Bellerin last appeared for Spain in 2016, but is in line to play in the friendly with Netherlands on November 11 and Nations League games with Switzerland and Germany on the 14th and 17th of the month respectively.

He has been beset by injuries, but is currently enjoying an extended run in the Arsenal side and it will not be lost on Bellerin that the place in the Spain squad opened up on account of the injury to Sevilla’s Jesus Navas.

The Spanish FA confirmed Bellerin’s recall, and the defender will link up with the rest of the squad on Monday.

The federation also confirmed coach Luis Enrique is considering whether to call up a replacement for Barcelona’s Ansu Fati who picked up an injury in the Catalan side's 5-2 win over Real Betis on Saturday.

While Navas and Fati will be reeling from their injuries, it is a great moment for Bellerin. The 25-year-old’s career took a serious backward step when he suffered a knee ligament injury in January of 2019.

It has been a long road to recovery, and there were times when it appeared he would not be able to scale the heights predicted of him earlier in his career.

However, he has worked extremely hard on his fitness and is now a regular in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side.  His performances have clearly caught the eye of Luis Enrique, who has handed him a recall for the first time since 2016.

Should he appear in any of the three games in November, it will add to the trio of caps Bellerin has to his name, and it could be the friendly with Netherlands is his best chance of making it back on the international stage.

His debut came against Bosnia and Herzegovina in May of 2016, while he was an unused member of Vicente Del Bosque’s Spain squad at the European Championship later that summer.

Spain currently top Nations League Group A4, but both Germany and Ukraine are just a point adrift so any slip ups against the former or Switzerland could see them fall out of contention.