Olivier Giroud is refusing to get excited about Arsenal’s Premier League title chances after helping to keep the pace with the league pacesetters.
The France international struck twice inside five minutes after being introduced as a second-half substitute to contribute to a 4-1 victory at Sunderland in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Giroud said: “We’ve only played a quarter of the league. It’s still the beginning of the league and I’m not the man who will speak too much because we are first.
“We enjoy this position, obviously we want to finish first and win the league, but we know there is a long time to go. We’re in a good moment and we need to keep it up and be consistent.”
Steve Bruce open to future England job
Steve Bruce has admitted he still harbours ambitions of one day managing England despite being unveiled as Aston Villa boss earlier this month.
The 55-year-old’s decision to take over at Villa Park effectively ruled him out of the running to become the permanent successor to Sam Allardyce.
But Bruce has never made any secret of his desire to manage his country and says any future opportunity would be hard to turn down.
Bruce said “If you’re English and there’s anything about you then of course to manage the national team has got to be the pinnacle of anybody’s career.
“So maybe in the future it might be there.”
Verratti could leave Paris SG – agent
Paris SG midfielder Marco Verratti’s representative, Donato Di Campli, said he will take his client elsewhere if the French press continue to scrutinise him.
Verratti is back in the French champions’ starting XI after recovering from an injury-plagued season. But he has struggled to recapture his best form, leading to criticism from sections of the French media.
“Verratti wants to win with PSG,” Di Campli said.
“However, if these attacks against him from the French press continue, Marco and I will make our evaluations and he could even leave Paris.”
Dier frustrated by Spurs’ winless run
Eric Dier admits Tottenham’s players are frustrated after their winless run continued against Leicester on Saturday.
Spurs’ 1-1 draw against the Foxes means they have now gone five games without a victory since they blew away Manchester City at the start of the month.
“It’s very frustrating,” Dier said. “We controlled the game from start to finish and we know what Leicester are going to do.
“We know their style, so we’re very disappointed because we didn’t create more chances and obviously didn’t score enough goals.”
Bale pens new Real Madrid deal
Gareth Bale has agreed a contract extension with Real Madrid, the Spanish club said.
The new deal ties the 27-year-old Wales international to the European champions until June 30, 2022.
Bale joined Real from Tottenham in 2013 for a then-world record fee of £85.3 million, signing a six-year deal at the Bernabeu.
A club statement read: “Real Madrid and Gareth Bale have agreed an extension to the player’s contract, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2022.”
Bale has scored 62 goals and recorded 34 assists in 135 official games for the Spanish giants.
Pep taking revenge on Toure – agent
Yaya Toure’s agent Dimitri Seluk has claimed Pep Guardiola has a personal vendetta with him and the Manchester City midfielder.
Toure, 33, has helped City win two Premier League titles since joining from Barcelona in 2010, but has only made one appearance for the club since Guardiola’s appointment in the summer.
“When Yaya was left out of the Champions League squad, I called Pep,” Seluk said.
“I wanted to ask him his reasons, but he didn’t call me back. I also tried to call Txiki – but he didn’t call me back either. So I don’t think the club can criticise me for doing an interview in the newspaper.
“Pep talks about respect. But to get respect you have to show it.”
Defoe positive amid Sunderland gloom
Jermain Defoe has urged Sunderland to stick together in the face of a fresh storm after a disastrous start to the new season.
Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat by Arsenal left the Black Cats anchored to the foot of the table without a win and having collected a paltry two points from their opening 10 games.
He said: “I always look forward to the next game. I’m a person that even when you are scoring goals, you always look forward to the next because you want to keep it going.
“That’s the mentality we have got to have, just ‘Okay, forget about today, the next game...’, and I’m sure the manager is thinking the same. We prepare for the next game.”