After an action-packed weekend in the Premier League and Football League RALPH ELLIS sifted through the statistics. Here he shares what he has learned from Arsenal to MK Dons.

Arsene Wenger claims UEFA has endorsed the use of drugs in sport after failing to overturn the result of their Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb.

Saturday's mauling at the hands of Liverpool will have been a day to forget for Manchester City but for one of Manuel Pellegrini's stars it provided another landmark moment.

Arsenal fear midfield linchpin Francis Coquelin will miss the rest of 2015 with a knee problem. The Gunners midfielder suffered the injury during Saturday's defeat against West Bromwich Albion.

Following his side's dismantling by Barcelona on Saturday night, Karim Benzema was the sole member of Real Madrid's first team to report for training on Sunday.

Gareth Bale is relishing the challenge of playing in Spain, but admits to missing the simple things in life. The Real Madrid forward joined the capital club for a record £90million in 2013.

What a great away performance again from Liverpool. They were magnificent at Chelsea before the international break and even better at Manchester City on Saturday.

MATT BARLOW: Eden Hazard's vanishing act had been one of the mysteries of Chelsea's dreadful start to their title defence but he was energetic and creative in the 1-0 win against Norwich on Saturday.

Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has hailed the 'tactical plan' by Jurgen Klopp following their impressive 4-1 win over Manchester City - and insists belief is growing in the dressing room.

Jordan Henderson's last appearance for the Reds was in the 1-0 victory against Bournemouth on August 17, where he was replaced by Emre Can after 52 minutes because of a heel injury.

JOE BERNSTEIN: Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has given his strongest indication yet that he would fight to sign Cristiano Ronaldo should the player decide to leave Real Madrid.

There are no real suggestions that Manchester United have fully regained their canny knack of striking late just yet, but Jesse Lingard believes the famous spirit of old could be back.

Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini has dampened speculation that he will attempt to sign Andrea Pirlo on loan. The former Juventus midfielder joined MLS outfit New York City in the summer.

Arsene Wenger has conceded Arsenal are in a 'difficult moment' of their season and will not have any injured players back for the crucial Champions League encounter with Dinamo Zagreb.

Stoke City's record signing Xherdan Shaqiri was taken off as a precaution after he sustained a minor hamstring injury in Saturday's win over Southampton in the Premier League.

Ronald Koeman criticised Graziano Pelle after the striker's show of petulance and subsequent booking against Stoke City left the Dutchman without his top scorer for the trip to Manchester City.

ADAM SHERGOLD - ON THE ROAD: The Marriott Hotel at Waltham Abbey boasts an indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna, steam room and gym. Apparently, it can help get results on the football field too.

Aston Villa have enough quality in the squad to secure their Premier League survival and will fight till the end to preserve their top-flight status, manager Remi Garde has said.

Jose Mourinho is considering bringing loanee Michael Hector into his Chelsea squad in January in a bid to fix the problems that have plagued the champions' defence this season.

Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna has revealed the horrors of Paris left him too exhausted to play properly against Liverpool on Saturday.

JOE RIDGE: Aitor Karanka cut his coaching cloth under Jose Mourinho, and the Spaniard has clearly learned a thing or two about defending along the way from the now-Chelsea manager.