Arsenal and Man United suffer shock defeats, VAR audio released, Newcastle host Mbappe

Today's headlines:

Arsenal could be without Saka for Man City clash as Lens inflict shock defeat

Andre Onana has shocker as Man United lose to Galatasaray in Champions League

PGMOL release VAR audio of offside blunder in Liverpool defeat at Tottenham

Jude Bellingham stars again as Real Madrid beat Napoli

RB Leipzig vs Man City: LIVE on talkSPORT

a minute ago

Mikel Arteta defended his decision to play Bukayo Saka as the Arsenal winger limped out of their Champions League defeat to Lens.

The Gunners had taken the lead through Gabriel Jesus but Adrien Thomasson levelled following a David Raya error before Saka hobbled out of the game.

Lens would go on to win 2-1 courtesy of a second-half strike from Elye Wahi but it was the injury to Saka that will have concerned Arteta more.

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City visit the Emirates Stadium in five days and Saka's involvement is now in doubt with the England forward having been forced off in the last three games.

Asked if he regretted picking Saka following his issues against both Tottenham and Bournemouth, Arteta replied: "No. It was a knock that he had the other day and he was perfectly fine. It was a back-heel, an action that can produce that kind of injury.

"Let's see what the extent of it is and afterwards it's too late. The last few were more knocks than anything else.

"He hasn't really missed games. We gave him a break against Brentford (in the Carabao Cup) last week and that was all.

"He tried to backheel a ball in the first half and felt something muscular. He felt uncomfortable to carry on so we had to take him off.

"We don't know anything more. It was big enough not to allow him to continue to play the game and that's a worry for us.

"He was really looking forward to playing like every player. It was a big Champions League night. I painted a picture and the type of scenario we were going to face today and they all knew about it.

"But this Champions League is so difficult to win away from home. Today we take a big lesson."

3 minutes ago

Under-pressure Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is not worried about losing his job after his side's horror start to the season continued with a Champions League home defeat to Galatasaray.

The Red Devils threw away a 2-1 lead to fall to a 3-2 loss at a rain-soaked Old Trafford and suffer their worst start to a season since 1986.

They have lost six of their opening 10 games for the first time in 37 years and their chances of getting out of the group stages already look in doubt after just two matches.

But Ten Hag, who says there are "no excuses" for his side's dismal performances, insist everyone at the club is pulling in the same direction.

Asked whether he feared for his job, the Dutchman said: "Last season: brilliant, terrific, more than we could expect.

"We also knew in this project there would be common gaps. At this moment we are in a very difficult period as everyone can see but we come out together, we are fighting together, we are sticking together and we are behind each other. That is me, the directors, the team, all together we will fight.

"This is not us, we know we have to do better, with togetherness we will come out.

"If I give an explanation, then you will see as excuses, there are no excuses. We can't make the errors we are now making. We have to do better, it is a simple fact, we have to win our games."

19 minutes ago

Welcome back to talkSPORT.com's live blog.

Arsenal and Manchester United both suffered shock defeats in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The Gunners were beaten 2-1 at Lens while the Red Devils lost 3-2 at home to Galatasaray.

Tonight, Newcastle host Kylian Mbappe and co. as Paris Saint-Germain travel to St James' Park.

Elsewhere, the PGMOL has released chaotic VAR audio from the wrongly-disallowed Luis Diaz goal at Tottenham on Saturday.

We will bring you all the reaction to the biggest stories throughout the day.

3rd Oct 2023, 18:57

That's all from us today on talkSPORT's rolling football blog.

And what a day it has been, which has seen the Premier League release the audio from Liverpool's defeat at Tottenham.

Elsewhere, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has ripped into Erik ten Hag, while Bernardo Silva and John Stones have returned to Manchester City training.

But if you still fancy your football fix, you can follow our talkSPORT live blog for Arsenal's Champions League clash at Lens.

Click HERE to follow.

And you can also keep up to date with Manchester United's match against Galatasaray at Old Trafford by clicking HERE.

3rd Oct 2023, 18:50

VAR official Darren England let out an X-rated expletive after learning he had made a huge mistake in Liverpool's defeat at Tottenham.

The audio conversation has been released to public which has seen the VAR officials explain why Luis Diaz's fist half goal was ruled out.

England though was under the assumption that the on-field decision was onside.

After the lines were drawn to show that Cristian Romero was playing Diaz onside, England on VAR, could be heard saying: "Check complete, check complete, that's fine, perfect."

The replay operator then said: "Wait, wait, wait, wait. The on-field decision was offside. Are you happy with this?"

After realising his mistake, England simply stated: "Oh ****."

The replay operator then called to delay the match so that the right decision could be made.

However as the game had restarted, England remarked: "Can't do anything. I can't do anything."

3rd Oct 2023, 18:37

The audio conversation between match officials over the VAR controversy during Liverpool's defeat at Tottenham on Saturday has been released.

Liverpool submitted a request for the full disclosure of the discussion between the VAR room and on-field referee.

Luis Diaz was wrongly adjudged to have been in an offside position, after the Colombia international thought he had given his side the lead.

After a quick VAR check, the match restarted, although the 26-year-old was clearly onside as replays showed the goal should have stood.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for refereeing professional games in England, has since released the audio discussion.

FULL STORY

3rd Oct 2023, 17:38

We are your destination for live football tonight, including a Premier League clash you can follow ONLY on talkSPORT.

Luton vs Burnley is NOT on TV tonight, but it is live and exclusive on talkSPORT 2 - with kick-off at 7:30pm.

Then we'll bring you live Champions League commentary as Arsenal travel to face French side Lens at 8pm on talkSPORT.

We will also be covering live updates on air and online from Manchester United's clash at home to Galatasaray from 8pm.

Luton vs Burnley live stream details HERE

Lens vs Arsenal live stream details HERE

Man United vs Galatasaray live online blog HERE

3rd Oct 2023, 17:12

Southend United have agreed a takeover deal with an Australian-led consortium, with unpopular owner Ron Martin finally relinquishing control of the Essex club.

The sale to Aussie businessman Justin Rees has been announced less than 24 hours before the Shrimpers are due in the High Court to face an HM Revenue & Customs winding up petition.

Southend were previously warned by a judge that they would be put out of business unless their debts are paid up in full.

A club statement said: "We can confirm that an agreement for the sale of the club has been reached with a consortium led by Justin Rees.

"Everyone is working towards a completion date of 1 November 2023 - that is when the consortium will formally take control of the club.

"The collaborative approach to agreeing this deal would not have been possible without the support of creditors and the assistance from the leader of Southend City Council.

"We recognise that this has been a stressful time for all associated with the club. We would like to thank our staff for their incredible loyalty and also thank all our stakeholders for their patience."

3rd Oct 2023, 16:37

Simon Jordan warned Rangers against hiring Frank Lampard as their next manager.

talkSPORT understands that Lampard is being considered for the vacant post at Ibrox, having been out of work since leaving his most recent role as caretaker Chelsea boss in May.

But talkSPORT pundit Jordan says he is not cut out for a top job, branding him 'an illusion' of a manager.

"With Lampard, the only reason you put him in the conversation is because it's Frank Lampard the player, not Frank Lampard the manager," said the former Crystal Palace owner.

"It makes no sense to me. Where is Rangers' ambition when they went from Michael Beale? What did that tell the fanbase? I'm sure he was a great coach and was a really instrumental part of the Rangers makeup that got some success under Steven Gerrard, and with that in mind what made them think he was a leader? Because he wasn't.

"Michael may yet go to to be a manager, I'm sure he will be… but Rangers have got to show ambition now of a leading club - albeit in a smaller league - with a history and legacy, size and the scale of that football club.

"Come on, now - Lampard is just a figure of people's imagination!

"He needs to go away and regroup and become a football manager, rather than have the illusion that because Frank is educated and erudite, doesn't offend anybody, is balanced and has a legacy of being a wonderful player that somehow that translates in the dugout."

Jim White added: "Yeah, but he's managed two Premier League clubs!"

To which Jordan replied: "And done what with them?"

FULL STORY

3rd Oct 2023, 15:44

Bernardo Silva and John Stones could return from injury as Man City face RB Leipzig in the Champions League tomorrow.

The pair are both set to travel with the squad for the Group G encounter in Germany after returning to training with the treble winners.

Manager Pep Guardiola said: "They feel better, Bernardo better than John but both travel. We decide tomorrow. We're really happy they're back.