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Simba SC fans can now breathe a sigh of relief after Clatous Chama was seen training with the team despite the injury doubt which was thought to rule him out of the Yanga SC encounter.

The Zambian international has been an influential member of the Simba squad this season and has been involved in three assists and has scored two goals. During their game against Kagera Sugar, Chama was substituted with Ibrahim Ajibu with the fear he had suffered a knock.

On Friday, the club’s doctor Yassin Gembe predicted the midfielder could be out for more than 14 days.

“What I have observed on Chama after taking him through the initial medication, the problem can sideline him for at least a week or even two in order for him to get back to his previous level,” Gembe said.

“But again let us wait until we get a full report from the hospital.

“We had to get him out against Kagera Sugar because he seemed to have been in pain even after I had attended to him in the first place.”

But Chama was among the players that took part in the last training session on Friday. Others in training were; Ibrahim Ajibu, Francis Kahata, Erasto Nyoni, Larry Bwalya, Said Ndemla, Mohamed Hussein, Muzamir Yassin, Beno Kakolanya, Aishi Manula, Miraj Athumani, David Kameta, Hassan Dilunga, Ally Salim, Luis Miquissone, Charles Ilanfya, Jonas Mkude, Ibrahim Ame, Pascal Wawa, Gadiel Michael and John Bocco.

Head coach Sven Vandenbroeck will not have Meddie Kagere available as well as Brazilian midfielder Gerson Fraga but he revealed the kind of playstyle he might adopt against Yanga without the injured duo.

“We can start with one striker and have attacking midfielders like Luis Miquissone, Francis Kahata, Said Ndemla and Ibrahim Ajibu behind,” Vandenbroeck said.

“There is no doubt that the match against Yanga is a big one that touches on the emotions of many people. Having all key players available always brings more confidence but we will have to find an alternative although I have complete faith in my remaining players that they can actually do a good job.”

Chris Mugalu, who had been sidelined from the previous matches with an injury, could be available for the Kariakoo clash given that he played a few minutes against Kagera Sugar.

Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) did not began their title defence of the Malaysia Cup in emphatic fashion but did what was required of them to easily brushed aside plucky Kuching FA 1-0 in the Round of 16 match played on Friday night to set up a quarterfinal clash against another Premier League outfit in Kuala Lumpur.

The one big sparkle from the match came from a teenager in Arif Aiman who in scoring the only goal of the match in the first half, became JDT's youngest ever goal scorer and put in an assured display throughout the 68 minutes that he featured in. All this from his first ever start for the recently crowned Malaysia Super League champions.

Head coach Mora was extremely pleased with what the youngster had shown and has vowed to give the Malaysia Under-19 international more game time in the coming games as the whole club believes that Arif has what it takes to reach the next level.

“He’s a kid. He’s a very talented and intelligent player. But he’s young and will be inconsistent, it’s a normal thing. Sometimes he’ll be very good and sometimes he won’t. But I don’t care. I have the courage and confidence to put him in the starting line-up.

"That happened to Ramadhan (Saifullah) also and this happened to Arif now. This will continue to happen. We must know that Arif is a young boy with a lot of potential. He will be rotating with Ramadhan a lot so that he can be a better player in the future and be an asset for JDT," said Mora in the post-match press conference.

The match was played in Tan Sri Dato Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium as the pitch at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium was being relaid but JDT hardly looked like they were on strange grounds despite not having played there this season. JDT had total control of the match but were let down by poor finishing in addition to an inspired performance from Kuching's keeper Iqbal Suhimi.

Mora brushed aside suggestions that his side were not at the races because of the one month break between their last competitive match and this one, but suggested that there's a possibility that this pattern could well be repeated when they face KL in the next round.

“I can’t remember how many opportunities we had but it was many. The most important thing in football is to score goals. If you don’t score goals, you cannot win. It’s as simple as that. We have been scoring a lot of goals in the last games and now we are not scoring many. It’s football and that happens. 

“The most important thing is that the team fought, the team ran, attacked using both flanks and managed to have variance but we were not lucky. We knew Kuching would fight and challenge us. They did. It’s going to happen the same with Kuala Lumpur and perhaps even in games after that. 

Bloemfontein Celtic are keen to have their away goal count when they host SuperSport United in Saturday’s MTN8 semi-final, second leg match at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.

After the first leg ended 1-1 in Pretoria, captain Ndumiso Mabena’s strike at Lucas Moripe Stadium is what could give Siwelele a slight advantage over their visitors.

After Celtic asserted some authority in the first leg where they forced the home side SuperSport to come back from behind to settle for a draw, the Free State side would be keen to be more forceful in their own backyard.

But Matsatsantsa coach Kaitano Tembo earlier this week said they can cause an upset in Bloemfontein with an early goal.

Tembo and his men are keen to defend the MTN8 title they won last season and reaching the final would for a third consecutive year.

Saturday’s winner will meet either Orlando Pirates or Kaizer Chiefs in the final.

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

The game will be shown live on SuperSport TV and SABC. 

Squads & Team News

Bloemfontein Celtic welcome back goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane who was hospitalised after the first leg.

The experienced gloveman eventually missed Celtic’s midweek clash against his former club Orlando Pirates and Sipho Chaine stepped in to guard goal for Siwelele.

Midfielder Lantshene Phalane is doubtful for Saturday’s match after he was also injured in the first leg in Pretoria.

Phalane complained of his groin and missed the defeat to Pirates at home.

Celtic coach John Maduka rested a number of players against Pirates including skipper Mabena who is expected to start on Saturday.

SuperSport United coach Tembo arrives in the Free State with a slightly depleted squad following injuries to key defenders Grant Kekana and Luke Fleurs as well as midfielder Sipho Mbule.

Clayton Daniels and Bongani Khumalo who started as twin centre-backs in the first leg could again partner in Bloemfontein.

But the duo has recently received criticism that they are ageing and are no longer steely at the back as before.

Match Preview

SuperSport enter into Saturday’s contest on a high after beating Stellenbosch 1-0 in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match at home on Wednesday.

It was the right tonic Tembo could have needed as they now face a side enjoying an away goal from the first leg. 

Matsatsantsa have only lost once in five matches across all competitions this season.

On the other hand, Celtic host SuperSport on the backdrop of a difficult run in their PSL campaign where they are yet to taste victory.

They go into Saturday’s match fresh from a 1-0 defeat by Pirates in a league match on Wednesday.

It was Celtic’s second league loss of the season after another defeat by Swallows FC, with their other result being a 1-1 draw against Golden Arrows.

Their only win this season is the elimination of Mamelodi Sundowns from the MTN8 at the quarter-final stage.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) head coach Cedric Kaze has explained why the first 2020/21 Mainland Premier League Kariakoo Derby against Simba SC will be different.

The Burundian acknowledges the emotions the derby draws but is quick to accept the fact that Yanga are facing the defending champions of the last three seasons.

“When you look back at the history of the derby, it is a match that draws passion and huge magnitude of fans and it is set to be different this year given how the league has started,” Kaze said as was quoted by the club’s social media pages.

“I can only say we are going to play against the defending champions and they are not just the defending champions, they have been champions in the last three seasons.”

The former Vital’ O coach also explained how the Simba test will be of importance to his players.

“It is a big derby for our fans, our players and everyone associated with Yanga,” he added.

“It is going to be the perfect way to test our players and their level of preparedness. We want to see whether there are changes within our squad as compared to the last season.

“This is going to be the biggest test to show the individual brilliance of every player.”

Kaze said a win will give them a great source of inspiration when facing other league rivals as they hope to win the title they have failed to in the last three attempts.

“Without considering the league standings, we know the match will give us a step further to open the gap but the gap alone [between Yanga and Simba] will not be decisive in the title race, no,” he concluded.

“It is going to be good if we get a step further away from them but again it should serve as a source of motivation in the other matches. We will need to use the exact amount of energy against the other rivals not just against Simba.

“Therefore, I am calling upon Wananchi [the citizens] and Yanga fans to come and support the boys as we have prepared well on our part. We know it is not going to be an easy ride but we have prepared enough to deal with the bigger task ahead.”

Yanga are second on the standings with 23 points while Simba are third with 19.

The 2020-21 Bundesliga season got off to a blistering start on September 18.

Mats Hummels was at the double against Arminia Bielefeld to keep pace with leaders Bayern Munich, who were unspectacular without a rested Robert Lewandowski but managed to get by Cologne, while RB Leipzig slipped down the stadings after a defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach in the sixth round of the Bundesliga.

Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen continue to maintain their form with a third consecutive win after a 4-2 win against Freiburg, as Werder Bremen are now the only team in the top 10 without a win in their last four games following a draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.

It's a top of the table clash between Bayern and Dortmund amid the fixtures of Matchday 7.
 

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Frank Lampard was "not surprised" by Jose Mourinho's accusation that Chelsea players have attempted to win cheap penalties.

Mourinho alleged that Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have attempted to con officials into awarding a spot-kick in his defence of skipper Harry Kane.

The Portuguese was unhappy with the insinuation that Kane had deliberately backed into Adam Lallana to win a penalty in Tottenham's 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.

Speaking earlier this week, Mourinho said: "Kane? I think you are confused. 

"You could be speaking about some Manchester United players, some Man City players, some Liverpool players, some Chelsea players."

Chelsea have already had eight penalties this season but Lampard insists none of those were awarded for a player diving inside the box.

"I wasn't surprised by those comments," he said. "There have been no incidents of diving at Chelsea this season that I've seen. 

"But I wasn't surprised by it, no. I think it's very normal that managers in and around the clubs challenging sometimes mention others with those statements. It didn't affect me."

He added: "I'm not going to tell Jose or any other manager how to do a press conference. 

"I think we all know when we watch these penalty decisions, we know what ones are penalties, what ones are dives, ones that are cleverly bought. I don't want to dwell on it."

Timo Werner successfully converted two penalties for Chelsea in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Rennes in the Champions League, extending their unbeaten run to six matches.

The Blues have kept a clean sheet in five successive games for the first time since October 2010, with Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma starting together in all but one of those.

Lampard has regularly praised the impact made by experienced defender Silva, who he believes is helping to get the most out of Zouma alongside him.

No player made more clearances than Zouma (4) in the win over Rennes and he also topped the charts for successful passes (84) and touches (99).

"I've been really impressed with Kurt, his form and what he's giving us, scoring and defending from set-pieces, which is a big part of our game," he said.

"I think Thiago can affect people around him. I think of his status in the game and the way he plays it. 

"We talk about partnerships in the team. We can all think of great centre-back partnerships. With Thiago's quality it rubs off not only on Kurt but any player he is paired with.

"I think he's helped Kurt and we now need to sustain that level of performance and keep the good run of clean sheets we're on going. He's certainly affecting the others."

Silva was brought in on a free transfer after his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired at the end of last season - one of seven first-team players signed during a busy close season.

Lampard is grateful to have been heavily backed by owner Roman Abramovich and hopes the signing of Silva in particular can lead to silverware being won.

"People think we did all our business in five minutes. The first year I spent here I couldn't bring players in so I had a long-term view of what players I could bring in," he said.

"It was all very joined up and I was certainly happy with the input I had. We worked hard and a lot of people deserve credit. The next step is to work with that. 

"We've seen good signs of late, players bedding in and getting fit - Thiago among them.

"In terms of the career he's had, he absolutely walks into the bracket of top centre-backs. Teams who achieve stuff have defenders who set those standards. 

"The players know the importance of defending well to win trophies and particularly Premier League titles. 

"But they also need support around them. When you look at Thiago and the early impact he has had, he can be a big deal for us."

Malaysia Premier League champions Pulau Pinang continued their fine form this season, after edging top tier side Felda United 3-1 in their round one Malaysia Cup encounter on Friday.

The Panthers have advanced to the quarter-finals thanks to goals from Casagrande (37'), Amer Azahar (62') and Lee Chang-hoon (76'), their best achievement so far in the competition since the 2006 edition. The solitary goal for the Fighters, who may have played their last ever match as a Malaysian league outfit, was netted by Nicolas Velez in the 49th minute.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Pulau Pinang head coach Manzoor Azwira expressed his elation at his charges' achievement.

"Praise Allah for the win which has allowed us to reach the quarter-finals. The last time we reached that stage was back in 2006, so it's a good record for Pulau Pinang.

"I'm also happy that my team was able to maintain their momentum in the cup, despite the fact that our previous match was back on October 9.

The 43-year old trainer will now assess his players' readiness ahead of their next encounter next weekend.

"None of the players were suspended, but I have to see whether Casagrande and Endrick [dos Santos] were injured. I'm not sure yet how serious their injuries are."

Asked for his assessment of their potential opponents in the next stage, Manzoor responded that one of them can surprise, while the other is consistently dangerous.

"They both have their strengths; Kelantan play well as a unit and under [head coach] Yusri Che Lah could surprise you, while UiTM FC are an experienced and consistent Super League side."

Edu Bedia has been entrusted with the FC Goa captaincy for the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) season. Thee Spaniard has been plying his trade with FC Goa for the last three years and is the only foreigner the club retained after parting ways with Sergio Lobera last year. 

He was also named as one of the club captains by the new coach Juan Ferrando. 

"I have been with this team for a while and that experience was obviously there. My job as a captain is simple - to try and help the team as much as possible. I have been captain at clubs in Spain as well. There is obviously responsibility but no pressure.

"I'm there with the three other captains (Lenny Rodrigues, Seriton Fernandes and Ivan Gonzalez) who have been elected and help the team. It's a collective responsibility of the team to help each and every individual in the team."

In addition to the 31-year-old, Goa have signed Gonzalez, Igor Angulo, Jorge Ortiz, Alberto Noguera and James Donachie to replace Hugo Boumous, Ferran Corominas, Ahmed Jahouh, Carlos Pena and Mourtada Fall.

"The one thing that I can say from the training sessions we have had so far is that the foreigners that we have this year can give us that extra rhythm. Obviously, we have had strength in the team last year as well, but that extra rhythm can come in handy towards the fag end of the season in getting us to the final," Bedia expressed.

After Sergio Lobera's tenure ended towards the end of last season, the former Racing Santander player expects Goa to play the same attacking brand of football that have been known for under Lobera.

"We are working a lot on the tactical elements (under Ferrando) this year which is going to make us stronger than we were last season. I believe that we will continue to play the same style of football. I think this year, we will be a lot more organised. Nowadays in football, it's not only about talent but the physical and tactical element wins you matches.

"Reflecting on the past seasons, some teams who worked better than us in terms of the tactical element had an upper hand over us and I think that is what we lacked to end up with a title," he opined.

"If we work as hard as we have been doing in the pre-season, we will be a much harder opposition for the other teams," he added.

And with regards to Mumbai City FC, who have roped in Lobera and a number of Goa's former players (Jahouh, Boumous, Fall and Mandar Rao Dessai), Bedia opted to downplay the clash. 

"Sergio has allowed the players what they are good at and that allowed us to get good results. This year, we continue to have good players as well as more tactical nuances that will allow us to continue to be a team as strong as we have been if not better.

"I've been a professional football player for 13 years and throughout my time as a professional player I have faced many past team-mates of mine as well as many coaches. So as a game, it's not that this (facing Mumbai City) will hold any more importance than the other ones. Yes, we will be facing our ex-coach and our team-mates but every game is as important as the other," he concluded.

FC Goa's Igor Angulo is adjusting well to the conditions in Goa ahead of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) season.

Having scored more than 80 goals in his last stint at Gornik Zabrze, the Spaniard has opened his account in India with a goal in the 3-2 friendly win against Jamshedpur FC with Seminlen Doungel and Ishan Pandita scoring the other two goals for the Goans.

"The first two weeks (in Goa), I was locked in a room (mandatory quarantine in lieu of the Covid-19 protocol). After that, it has been like a normal pre-season. It is very important now to make sure our physical condition is good and to know each other well. We have to adapt ourselves to the ideas of the coach (Juan Ferrando). There is not much time but we have to make the best of the time we have to reach the best level possible. All the clubs are in the same situation so we have no excuses," said Angulo.

"I'm not used to this weather - the humidity. The first few pieces of training were a bit hard but little by little I am getting used to it and we are working hard as a team," he added.

Angulo expects a testing season, with the club participating in the ISL and the AFC Champions League. The 36-year-old is convinced that FC Goa have a competitive squad for both the competitions and feels that mental strength is going to play a crucial role this season.

"We have a good enough team to not only play in the ISL but Asian Champions League also. Mental strength will be crucial because it is so much different from the seasons before. We have to get along well as a family. I have hope for a good season.

"I never have personal targets. Football is a collective sport. For FC Goa, the target has to be to win the league, win the play-offs. This year we will be in (Asian) Champions League also and I hope to do a very good role there also. I am an experienced player, so I hope to be able to teach the younger players. And I am a striker, so I have to help my team scoring goals and create chances and do as I did in the last few years."

FC Goa are the first Indian club to play in the AFC Champions League group stages, Angulo feels that they have to take it one step at a time and not get ahead of themselves. 

"It's the first time an Indian club is going to play in Asian Champions League but now we are focused on the ISL as the Asian Champions League is very far. The most intelligent way is to go game-by-game and be close to the play-offs. All the teams will be eager to play us as we are the first team in the Asian Champions League but for us, we just have to go game-by-game," he stated.

Angulo also revealed that he was pleased with the quality in the FC Goa squad. 

"I was surprised by the quality of the Indian players. They are so motivated. We have a good mix of Indian players and foreigners. We are getting along very well and this will be crucial for this season. I hope we keep it like this till the end of the season."

Lenny Rodrigues has picked out the FC Goa's clash against Mumbai City FC as one that he is personally looking forward to in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season.

There are quite a few undercurrents to that clash, given that Mumbai City are managed by former FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera who parted ways with the Gaurs just before the league stage ended last season. 

On top of that, a lot of key players in Hugo Boumous, Ahmed Jahouh, Mourtada Fall and Mandar Rao Dessai have all followed Lobera to Mumbai. "When there is a good coach, quite a few good players follow him too," Rodrigues had told Goal in an interview back in March. 

The Gaurs will start their new campaign against Bengaluru FC on November 22 and will then take on Mumbai City FC three days later - a fixture that Lenny is pumped up for.

"Personally, I want to give my best for every match. Last season we had a very good squad. I personally want to face Mumbai City as many players who were playing for FC Goa are playing there now," he expressed to a group of reporters on Friday.

With only two weeks ahead of the new season, Lenny has stressed that the team has to adjust to the philosophy of new coach Juan Ferrando quickly.

"We are giving our best every day to be fit enough for the competition. It's difficult. There are quite a few new players. We have to adjust to them. We do training twice a day so that we can gel very well. 

"Last season and before, I had a good understanding with Jahuoh and others. This season also we have very good players. I want to give my best the way I have done before. We have to stick to the strategy that the coach shares in training sessions," he stated.

Given that FC Goa are participating in the AFC Champions League as well this season, the 33-year-old hopes that Goa will do well in both major competitions. But at present, Lenny admits the team's focus is on the ISL. 

"Right now we are not thinking about the AFC Champions League but only ISL which starts in another two weeks. We play our first game on (November) 22nd. We have lost two (ISL) finals so far (2015 and 2018-19). This time, we have a young squad and a lot of experienced players too, along with a new coach. 

"This time, we expect to win the ISL. But we will be looking at it match-by-match. We will give our best in both competitions," he stressed. 

Vinicius Junior insists being criticised is to be expected when playing for Real Madrid, who he describes as the biggest club in the world.

The Brazil international has struggled to cement himself as a first-team regular at the Santiago Bernabeu since arriving from Flamengo in 2018.

He has made 53 La Liga appearances since the start of 2018-19 - just 25 of those being starts - and has scored just seven goals and set up one more.

That sees the 20-year-old rank below Marco Asensio (nine), and on a par with Lucas Vazquez and Isco (both eight) for goal involvements in an almost identical number of games.

Vinicius has his fair share of critics but says he blocks out the out the opinions of those who do not matter to him.

"I always think about those who want the best for me - family, people at the club, colleagues like Marcelo and Casemiro, the type who put me on the right path," he told YouTube channel Desimpedidos .

"It is all part of being a member of the biggest club in the world. When we lose they talk about us, and when we win it is something else."

Vinicius recently made headlines after Karim Benzema was caught on camera appearing to tell Ferland Mendy not to pass to the young attacker.

Amid suggestions of unrest in the dressing room, though, Vinicius has revealed Benzema is one of his closest friends at Madrid.

"I have a good relationship with Benzema," he said. "Also Lucas Vazquez. I talk a lot with them off the field. There's also [Luka] Modric, who I sit with at lunchtime."

Vinicius made 69 appearances for Flamengo before officially arriving at Madrid and intends to return to his boyhood side one day.

"I am sure that in the very distant future I will head back to Flamengo to give back to the club everything it deserves," he said.

He will hope to be involved in Sunday's trip to Valencia, with Real Madrid targeting top spot in La Liga. Presently, they lie second in the standings, one point behind Real Sociedad, who have played a game more.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has claimed that he is still working on a long-term plan with the Manchester United board, despite mounting speculation his job is under threat after his side’s poor start to the season.

United will face Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime, looking to register just their third win of the new campaign and coming off the back of two defeats against Arsenal and Istanbul Basaksehir.

Pressure is mounting on Solskjaer to turn things around, although Goal understands there is no direct threat to his position at the moment.

And despite his side's current league position of 15th place, the United boss revealed the conversations he has had with the board have been positive and have involved long-term planning.

“I am going to say all my conversations with the club have been planning long term,” Solskjaer said. “Of course we want results short term but I’ve had positive good dialogue with the plans we have put in place.

"We have planted a seed, the tree is growing. Some clubs just rip up that tree and see if it is still growing and see if it is still getting water underneath.

“For me I have had a backing all the way since I’ve come in on the bigger picture. And the club needs to look at the bigger picture, we can’t go thinking and reacting to one or two results, we have got to look further back and [ask] what is the direction we are going.

Solskjaer was brought in nearly two years ago after the sacking of Jose Mourinho to get the club back on track and while they wanted an improvement in results, it was important for the Norwegian to change the atmosphere at the club.

His players have recently come under criticism for lacking leadership and a strong mentality but Solskjaer dismissed those claims.

“The culture and the mentality in the group has improved immensely,” Solskjaer explained. “They do really have the mindset of improving all the time and winning. 

"Yes, every time you lose a game there are critics out there everywhere. I have no complaints about the mentality.”

Ederson said he has sympathy for fellow goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after his mistimed tackle put Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk out for what could be the rest of the season.

The Manchester City keeper believes Everton’s Pickford had no intention of hurting Van Dijk, who is now recovering after surgery on a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Pickford later apologised for the challenge and Ederson drew comparisons with a 2017 incident with Sadio Mane when he needed eight stitches for a face wound after being caught by the Liverpool striker's high foot.

“First and foremost, I don't think any player steps on the pitch looking to injure an opponent,” the Brazilian said. “Sometimes you have a fraction of a second to make a decision.

"Unfortunately, Jordan Pickford had that clash with Van Dijk and it ended up resulting in a serious injury. That's part of football; sometimes it happens. 

“It could happen to any of us. I don't think it was Pickford's intention to injure Van Dijk and in the same way I don't think it was Mane's intention to do that when he clashed with me in our game a few years ago. You have such a short time to make a decision and it could happen to any of us.”

Van Dijk’s loss will be keenly felt by Jurgen Klopp’s side while the Dutchman's replacement Fabinho is also set to miss Sunday’s crucial visit to the Etihad Stadium, but Ederson said the Reds still have plenty of quality all over the pitch. 

“Their best centre-back, Van Dijk, is out. Fabinho has been playing really well this season and he's out too. But we mustn't forget that Liverpool still have great players,” the 27-year-old added.

“Their absences aren't going to be a big disadvantage for them or a big advantage for us. We don't focus on the players that aren't going to play, or a specific absence, we focus on Liverpool as a whole team.” 

While Liverpool have problems at the back, they have maintained their attacking threat - scoring 11 goals in their last four matches, with six coming from new signing Diogo Jota.

“I'm not surprised with the performances of Diogo Jota, because he is a player I already knew from Portugal,” Ederson said.

“I have already played against him and I have known him for a while. Some people might be surprised by him, but I'm not. 

“I know him well, I have watched his games and I played against him many times. I'm aware he's a really talented and very good player.”

Another player that Ederson knows well is international team-mate Alisson Becker and, despite being rivals for the Brazil No.1 shirt, he says they are good friends off the pitch.

“I have a good friendship with Allison. He is an incredible guy,” he said. “Our rivalry is only on the pitch, off the pitch that doesn't exist. We are good friends.

“I hope we both can have a good game on Sunday. Our style is very similar. Perhaps I play more with my feet, but so does he. 

“Liverpool have more or less the same style of play and he is an incredible goalkeeper.”

Mikel Arteta has backed Willian after the Brazilian’s recent slump in form and says the attacker will get ‘better and better’ as he continues to adjust to life at Arsenal.

The former Chelsea star enjoyed an excellent start to his Gunners career, picking up two assists on the opening weekend of the Premier League season during a 3-0 win at Fulham.

But he has failed to register a single assist in eight appearances since and has yet to score his first Arsenal goal.

His under-par performances have led to many questioning his continued place in the starting XI, especially at the expense of Nicolas Pepe - who has already scored three times this season.

But Arteta has leapt to the defence of the 32-year-old and is adamant that Arsenal will soon start seeing the best of the summer addition.

“I think he started really well with his first game against Fulham, then he had an injury and he didn’t have any time to train, he didn’t have any pre-season and he was later than the others,” said the Gunners boss.

“Then we’ve been changing the front three and they need to generate that cohesion, that understanding and those relationships on the pitch between the front players in order for things to work better.

“I can see a development in the last two games and the understanding of things that we do but he’s not used to. He’s getting better and better and we all know the quality that he has and he’s a great option to have on the pitch."

Arteta added: “He’s a player who can make a difference, he’s got the ability to find that last action to open the door when everything is really tight. 

“To score a goal, create an assist and the personality and understanding that he has on the pitch to manage the game we need in certain moments. At Old Trafford, I think he did that really well.”

Arsenal host Aston Villa on Sunday looking to back up their impressive win at Manchester United last time out in the Premier League.

Arteta’s side currently sit ninth in the table, level on points with Villa but a place behind them on goal difference.

The Gunners have scored just seven goals in their opening seven league games and Arteta accepts that is something that must improve.

“We need to be more productive,” he said. “In the last few weeks’ve found teams with lower blocks. We’ve trained to be ready against that, we’ve experienced that throughout the games and [against Molde] you could see a big improvement.

“That’s probably the final bit that we need to improve upon as a team because there’s many areas where we’ve improved on a lot.

“In the last few weeks that we’ve improved with the goals and the creativity but it’s the consistency that we need in the final third.”