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Following a host of midweek European action, the Premier League takes centre stage this weekend. Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the key talking points heading into the forthcoming round of fixtures. North London derby tops bill Arsenal and Tottenham will lock horns at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in the pick of this weekend’s matches. The Gunners host their north London rivals following an impressive 4-0 home victory against PSV Eindhoven on their return to the Champions League, and are boosted by the news that captain Martin Odegaard has committed to the club for another five years. For Spurs, they will be looking to continue their post-Harry Kane bounce under new boss Ange Postecoglou. The Australian’s side extended their Premier League winning streak to four matches last weekend following two stoppage-time goals in a 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United. There is little to separate the arch enemies ahead of Sunday’s blood-and-thunder clash with both clubs on 13 points. Expect a frenetic Emirates atmosphere in what should be a pulsating clash. Manchester United bidding to reverse slump Erik ten Hag’s United are in crisis mode following three straights defeats, but they will hope a trip to Burnley will provide them with the opportunity to stop their alarming slide. Successive 3-1 defeats against Arsenal and Brighton have left United 13th in the table, already nine points behind leaders Manchester City, and a midweek Champions League loss at Bayern Munich will have done little to improve the Old Trafford gloom. On their return to the top flight, Vincent Kompany’s Burnley have already suffered heavy home defeats to Manchester City, Aston Villa and Spurs, but they finally got off the mark with a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest. And with United in turmoil, and the Burnley supporters likely to create a hostile welcome under the Turf Moor lights, Saturday night’s match could prove a banana skin for Ten Hag’s stuttering side. Will City retain 100 per cent record? Over on the other side of Manchester, there are no such concerns for Pep Guardiola’s high-flying side despite injuries mounting up. City, who have been slow-starters in recent seasons, have won five from five and will be looking to retain their unblemished record when they host Forest at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Indeed, they could become the second team – after Chelsea in 2005/06 – to start their Premier League defence with six straight wins. Forest have started the campaign in positive fashion with a respectable seven points so far. But Steve Cooper’s men will upset the form book if they manage to take anything away from the Etihad. Everton looking for first win The Toffees have endured a miserable start to the season. Following four defeats and one draw, Everton head to Brentford off the back of their joint-worst start to a campaign since 1994. In years gone by, Everton will have been expected to swat away the Bees, but Thomas Frank’s side – who have tasted defeat just once this season – will start as favourites to heap more misery on Sean Dyche’s men. The Toffees, who have failed to score in four of their five matches so far, are winless in their last four away games against Brentford and recent history is against Dyche, too. The former Burnley boss has not won a Premier League match in August or September for four years. Can Luton get off the mark? Only newly-promoted Luton have fared worse than Everton so far, but boss Rob Edwards may hope his troops can finally get off ‘nul points’ when they entertain fellow strugglers Wolves. The Hatters fell to their fourth straight defeat against Fulham last weekend and are the only side in the top division without a point. They could become only the sixth team in Premier League history to start a season with five consecutive losses. However, Wolves head to Kenilworth Road with only thee points from a possible 15, and have won just four of their last 29 Premier League matches. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ireland need ‘a big performance’ to beat world champions South Africa Rory Sutherland hopes strong show against Tonga helps him find a fresh challenge Europe suffer nightmare start to Solheim Cup bid

Migrant apprehensions at the US-Mexico border have risen to near-record levels in September.

Get ready for a weekend full of college football! Big matchups on Saturday, but also some exciting games on Friday night. Check out the schedule and don't miss any of the action!

Goals scored by Linda Caicedo, Sam Kerr and Bia Zaneratto at the Women’s World Cup are among 11 nominated by FIFA for the annual Puskas Award

The United States enjoyed its best-ever start to a Solheim Cup by sweeping the favored European team in all of the foursomes matches in the opening session to take a 4-0 lead in Spain

Tributes poured in on Friday (22 September) for Maddy Cusack, a Sheffield United footballer, who has died aged 27. Cusack played more than 100 games for the club, where she has been based since 2019. She also worked for Sheffield United as a marketing executive. The cause of death was not disclosed. Sheffield United said discussions over how to pay tribute officially will take place behind closed doors, and asked for a period of privacy for Cusack’s family. Stephen Bettis, Sheffield United’s chief executive, described the news of her death as “heartbreaking”. “Maddy had a unique position of being part of a number of teams at Sheffield United and was popular with everyone that she came into contact with. “Her personality and professionalism made her a credit to her family – she will be sadly missed. “While taking in the news and moving forward, the club will offer as much support as possible to Maddy’s family, friends and colleagues.” Cusack had just entered her sixth season and was the first player to reach 100 appearances for Sheffield United. Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football, said: “We are all devastated to learn about the passing of Maddy Cusack. “On behalf of the FA, the Lionesses, the Women’s Super League and the Women’s Championship, our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Maddy’s family, friends, teammates and everyone at Sheffield United. “Maddy also represented England at age-group level and we will pay tribute to her at an appropriate point. “We are in contact with the club and will continue to offer them our full support during this incredibly sad time.” Cusack’s previous club, Birmingham City, also released a statement. It said: “The club are saddened to learn of the passing of former player Maddy Cusack. All of our thoughts are with Maddy’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.” Leah Williamson, the Arsenal and England player, wrote on X/Twitter: “Sending all my love and condolences to Maddy’s family at this awful time!” The Professional Footballers’ Association also offered condolences to Maddy’s family, friends and her teammates. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Wales has restored the lineup which started the win against Fiji to face Australia on Sunday with a chance to reach the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has made two changes to his forwards and two among the backs in his side for the Rugby World Cup match against Tonga on Sunday in Nice

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised opposite number Ange Postecoglou’s impact at Tottenham ahead of the north London derby on Sunday. Postecoglou’s free-scoring Spurs have netted 13 times in five Premier League matches to make an unbeaten start to the top-flight campaign. And Arteta admitted he is a fan of the Australian, who has positively changed the atmosphere at Spurs despite the summer departure of star striker Harry Kane. “They have a new challenge, a new opportunity, they have a new manager who is doing really well and he’s managed to change the vibe around the club and with a different style too, so we need to be ourselves and produce the performance to beat them,” Arteta said. “I really like him. I have players who had him before and they always speak really highly of him, which is not a coincidence because straight away he’s fitting in the right way and that’s the beauty of the league where there are top managers, competition and every game is very difficult. “The recent year has been beautiful (against Tottenham – Arsenal won twice last season) and it’s about being with our supporters when we manage to win the game and the satisfaction that you give to everyone. It’s a special day for everybody and hopefully we can do that again. “They have many qualities (despite Kane’s departure) so it’s a big change but they have adapted well to it.” Goalkeeper David Raya has started ahead of Aaron Ramsdale in Arsenal’s last two games, against Everton and then PSV in the Champions League. Arteta insisted he understands Ramsdale’s frustration of not starting and highlighted the competition for places which forced a change at number one. “I understand (his frustration) and it’s very difficult for every player and I suffer and care about every player who’s not playing but this is the competition and this is my job as well to make decisions in the best possible way for the team,” Arteta added. “He’s been very supportive and good around the place and that’s what I expect from every single player because when you’re on the field there is someone else who’s not so it works both ways. So far he’s been very good. “It is hard and with other players it’s the same. Aaron (Ramsdale) is an exceptional character and has a charisma and aura around him and we all know that so I fully understand that (why he’s frustrated at being benched), we have to deal with that but I need to make a line-up to prepare for the game. He's been very supportive and good around the place and that's what I expect from every single player Arteta on Ramsdale's response to being dropped “I haven’t decided who will start.” Arteta lauded captain Martin Odegaard after the midfielder signed a new long-term deal at the Emirates. He said: “He’s got a really good balance (as a captain) and you notice him around the building because he always does the right things, he’s funny and likeable, committed and I’m really happy to have him as a captain.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live From Paul Pogba to Angel Di Maria – Manchester United’s recent flops Gregor Townsend knows only wins will do for Scotland Julian Nagelsmann to manage Germany at Euro 2024

In the fall of 2014, a young and largely unproven talent agent in Hollywood found himself listening intently

Jadon Sancho is seemingly been frozen out at Manchester United after he took to social media to claim he has been made a “scapegoat” for poor results. It leaves his future in doubt and if he was to leave, it would see him become the latest big-money flop to grace the Old Trafford turf in recent years. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some others. Paul Pogba Pogba has to go down as one of the biggest flops in the club’s history. He came through the youth system only to leave on a free transfer to join Juventus before United then paid close to £90million to bring him back in 2016. There were flashes of brilliance but they were outweighed by lethargic, inconsistent performances and he again left on a free in the summer of 2022. Donny van de Beek The Dutch midfielder was one of the hottest properties in Europe as he was part of the Ajax side that lit up the Champions League on the way to the 2018/19 semi-finals. He was bought for £35million in 2020 but has never got going at Old Trafford. Even a reunion with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag has failed to resurrect a highly promising career and he remains in the wilderness. Angel Di Maria When the Argentina international signed from Real Madrid in 2014 for just shy of £60million he was one of the most expensive players in the game, but that did not translate into his performances at Old Trafford as he struggled to make an impact, which was not helped by his wife’s outspoken views on her new surroundings. One year and just 32 appearances later he was sold to Paris St Germain. Henrikh Mkhitaryan A £30million signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, big things were expected of Mkhitaryan given his outstanding performances in the Bundesliga. However, he failed to deliver and just 18 months later he was a makeweight in a deal that saw United sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal – another move which was hardly a success story. Harry Maguire The England defender has copped a lot of flak and has for large parts been a solid and dependable performer for United. But because of his £80million fee in 2019, which made him the most expensive defender in the world at the time, he has been scrutinised more than most. He currently finds himself out of Ten Hag’s plans, after losing the captaincy, which means he has not delivered value for money. Antony Regardless of the Brazil winger’s current off-field problems, he has simply not delivered on his eye-watering £82million fee. He is very much a Ten Hag signing, following the manager from Ajax last summer, but his first season at Old Trafford was disappointing and his start to this campaign has not been much better. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Gregor Townsend knows only wins will do for Scotland Julian Nagelsmann to manage Germany at Euro 2024 David Haye: Joe Joyce needs a win to forge ahead in heavyweight division

Julian Nagelsmann will lead hosts Germany into Euro 2024 next summer. The German football federation (DFB) confirmed on Friday that the 36-year-old had been appointed to succeed Hansi Flick in charge of the Nationalmannschaft, with the contract running through to the end of the tournament next July. Nagelsmann was most recently at German champions Bayern Munich, who sacked him in March and replaced him with former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel. Nagelsmann’s playing career was cut short at the age of 20 by injury and he moved into coaching, with his big break coming at Hoffenheim in 2015. He moved on to RB Leipzig before joining Bayern in 2021. The DFB said Nagelsmann had been its “unanimous choice” to replace Flick, who was sacked earlier this month with the national team having lost four of their last five matches, including a 4-1 defeat to Japan. Nagelsmann said: “We have a European Championship in our own country and that’s something special – something that happens every few decades. “I have a great desire to to take on this challenge. We will be a close-knit group next year.” His first matches in charge will be against two of the 2026 World Cup co-hosts, the United States and Mexico, next month. They are also due to take on Austria in November. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live