Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news snippets from across the footballing world, including Emmanuel Petit's frustration with Arsenal and Unai Emery, David Silva's praise for Kevin De Bruyne and the Premier League's plans for the 2022 World Cup. Scroll down for more!
Petit 'pissed off' with Arsenal
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Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has admitted that he is 'pissed off' with what he claims is a lack of "character" in the current squad. Gunners fans are growing increasingly frustrated with their side's performances so far this season, with some going as far as to chant for manager Unai Emery to be sacked during the side's Premier League loss to Sheffield United earlier this week.
"I can understand why many Arsenal supporters are losing patience with Unai Emery," Petit told The Mirror after the defeat to the Blades. "As a manager he has a bad record away from home - not just with Arsenal, but also while he was in Spain. Arsenal showed no character and it pisses me off because it has been the case so many times away from home."
Silva tips De Bruyne to get even better
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Manchester City veteran David Silva has said that teammate Kevin De Bruyne will only get better in the years ahead. The 28-year-old has had a direct hand in 118 goals during his 185 games for Pep Guardiola's side to date.
"Kevin is a fantastic player and we are lucky to have him," Silva, who is leaving the Etihad next summer, told the City website. "He'll be one of the players to make a big step forward in the future because he's one of the most experienced in a young squad. As time goes by your time arrives. Last season we missed him a lot, but he's going to be great for us."
Villa target 'available in January'
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Celta Vigo striker Pione Sisto will reportedly be made available for transfer in January amid renewed interest from Aston Villa. The 24-year-old is thought to have rejected a £9m move to Dean Smith's side over the summer but may be forced to rethink his stance as the La Liga strugglers look to raise funds in the winter window.
Palace secure Wan-Bissaka fee early
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Crystal Palace have secured the second half of the £50m transfer fee paid by Manchester United for Aaron Wan-Bissaka over the summer. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side paid £22.5m up front and are not due to settle the balance until July 1, 2020, but Palace have instead secured the remainder now by taking out a loan with an Aussie financial firm in exchange for a fee.
Premier League planning for 2022 World Cup
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The Premier League are said to be planning to play their last round of fixtures just nine days before the 2022 World Cup begins in Qatar. The tournament will take place from November 21 to December 18 and under provisional proposals, the final Premier League and Championship fixtures will take place on November 12 before resuming on Boxing Day.
The league season will start a week earlier and finish a week later in order to accommodate the tournament, while the new winter break will be scrapped in January 2023. League One and League Two fixtures are expected to proceed as normal during the World Cup, although exact plans have yet to be finalised.
Phelan: 'Solskjaer needs time'
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Manchester United assistant boss Mike Phelan has called for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be given more time in the hotseat following the side's poor start to the season. Speaking to The Athletic, Phelan said: "Ole relates well with the players, he understands what Man United is. It is definitely a difficult moment, but Ole hasn't got his team yet. He's had three players [signed], you need more than three to be the manager of your own team. We can build on something, I think. Ole just needs that opportunity to create the culture again."
House problems almost scuppered Guardiola to City
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Pep Guardiola almost pulled out of taking the Manchester City job due to concerns over where he would live, according to an official new biography. Pep's City: The Making of a Superteam says that the Spaniard demanded a city-centre mansion to house his family but, after finding nowhere suitable, he eventually settled for a luxury apartment complex in nearby Salford.
Gunnarsson feeling "stressed" about South Wales derby
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Former Cardiff City fan favourite Aron Gunnarsson has said that he is looking forward to watching his old side take on Swansea City in the South Wales derby this weekend. The 30-year-old left Neil Warnock's side at the end of last season for a move to Qatari outfit Al-Arabi but is keeping up with developments in the Welsh capital from his armchair.
"I still speak to a lot of the boys and I know how hard they are working for the club and the fans, it is always hard to bounce back from a season in the Premier League, you see it with lot of clubs who come down," Gunnarsson told Wales Online. "They are doing well but the game on Sunday is something different, it has nothing to do with form in the league, it's going to be a battle and I am really looking forward to watching the game and wishing I was there with them.
"I unfortunately only took part in one South Wales derby, but I knew how much it meant for the fans about the bragging rights of Wales. The week leading up to the game you can hear the fans getting more and more excited and how much it means for them. I know what the players are going through because they can feel the excitement from the fans. It's a great feeling, knowing how much this means to them. Good luck to the lads on Sunday. I will be watching, stressed!"
Neil Wilkes
