Tuesday’s Briefing: Injury issues for Arsenal as Champions League action resumes

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has injury issues ahead of his side’s UEFA Champions League return against Athletic Club in Bilbao tonight.

Meanwhile Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is relishing his first experience of the tournament as his side prepare to take on Villarreal.

Pressure continues to mount on Rangers boss Russell Martin over his refusal to select star man Nico Raskin, while Chris Wilder has returned to Sheffield United.

Arteta playing waiting game over Saka return

Mikel Arteta has admitted Bukayo Saka still has “a lot of things to go through” before he is ready to play again, ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Athletic Bilbao.

Saka has been sidelined for a number of weeks with a hamstring injury and the Gunners boss insists he will not be tempted to rush the England star back into action.

Arteta said: “He still has quite a lot of things to go through and it is very early to understand what week he is going to be available.

“He will certainly be pushing to be available as quickly as possible. Unfortunately we have a few players already out and that means we are limited in certain positions.”

Captain Martin Odegaard will miss the match in Bilbao due to a shoulder injury while Kai Havertz and Ben White are also missing.

Frank relishing his Champions League bow

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank will allow himself “two minutes” to soak up his maiden fixture in the Champions League before he shifts focus to a first win in the competition.

Tonight’s visit of Villarreal will be a debut match in Europe’s elite tournament for the 51-year-old, another notable honour in an impressive career.

Frank honed his skills as a PE teacher in his native Denmark before roles in the Danish national team youth set-up, Brondby and Brentford earned him an opportunity at Spurs this summer.

Ahead of his Champions League bow, Frank admitted: “Obviously it’s a big thing. I am hugely looking forward to it.

“I know it will be special when we have that Champions League anthem playing. That will be the moment. Now is preparation, a few cameras, business as usual but when we walk out onto the pitch tomorrow that will be very special.”

Wilder makes swift return to Blades

Sheffield United have confirmed the reappointment of Chris Wilder as their new manager.

The 57-year-old has signed a contract until summer 2027 for his third spell as Blades boss.

On June 18, Wilder parted company with the club for a second time in the aftermath of their Championship play-off final defeat to Sunderland at Wembley.

He was swiftly replaced by Ruben Selles, who had his spell in charge at Bramall Lane ended on Sunday having led his side to five straight defeats at the start of the new season.

A statement from the Sheffield United board of directors read: “Chris Wilder returns with proven leadership and an unparalleled understanding of Sheffield United.

“We are confident he is the right person to restore momentum, unite the squad and supporters and deliver the results necessary to achieve our objectives this season.”

McCoist urges Martin to come clean over Raskin

Ally McCoist has told embattled Rangers manager Russell Martin he must explain to bewildered supporters why he is not selecting Nico Raskin.

The Belgium midfielder was Gers’ player of the year last term but has become a peripheral figure under Martin this season and has been omitted from the squad entirely for the last two matches against Celtic and Hearts.

McCoist says it is imperative the manager either makes an effort to build bridges with the former Standard Liege player or reveals exactly why he is refusing to select him.

“Now, there’s obviously a problem with Raskin, there’s no doubt about that, something’s happened,” Rangers’ record goalscorer said on talkSPORT. “But from where I’m sitting, you cannot bite your nose off to spite your face.

“If you’ve got a problem with Raskin, and he clearly has, I think he’s got to let the public know what that problem is, because we’re all sitting there watching that game at the weekend, and Raskin walks into that team.”

What’s on today?

Arsenal and Tottenham both bid to translate their fine Premier League starts into success on the European stage when they begin their respective Champions League campaigns.

The Gunners travel to Bilbao to take on Athletic Club while Thomas Frank takes charge of a Champions League game for the first time as Tottenham host Villarreal.

In the Carabao Cup, Crystal Palace host Millwall in a south London derby, while Manchester United’s conquerors Grimsby look to progress with victory at crisis club Sheffield Wednesday.