Arsenal must challenge Manchester clubs for title after 'big signings', says Ray Parlour
Tuesday 13 September 2016 12:45, UK
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour says the club must target the Premier League title after investing in "big signings".
After failing to win in their first two Premier League games Arsene Wenger's side secured their second win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Southampton on Saturday thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Santi Cazorla.
Alexis Sanchez, who recently said he is on the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, was left on the bench along with Olivier Giroud as striker Lucas Perez made his debut following his move from Deportivo La Coruna at the end of August.
Parlour believes Sanchez was not at his best last season but says Wenger has a good idea of his best team following their opening four league games, and thinks keeping key players fit alongside new additions will be vital for the club.
"Probably near enough," Parlour told Sky Sports News HQ, when asked if Wenger knows his best starting line up. "We know we have some key injuries at Arsenal. That's going to be a big thing for him, make sure you try and keep your key players fit.
"Cazorla was out for a long period last year, Sanchez wasn't at his best last year. So he'll be hoping they can improve. (Mesut) Ozil is an important player as well and (Olivier) Giroud. He's the one who links everything together in that midfield, holding the ball up.
"(Shkodran) Mustafi looks ok. I think he and (Laurent) Koscielny can create a good partnership together. That was always a problem, the spine of the team. He's (Wenger) gone out and improved that with Mustafi, (Granit) Xhaka and Perez, who looked ok at the weekend."
Parlour, who was part of Arsenal's last Premier League-winning side in 2004, thinks the money Wenger has spent this summer means they must challenge for the title this season, despite big investment from other clubs.
"If you look at the teams in the Premier League, the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, who have really gone and invested some money, Chelsea as well, they're the ones you're going to be fighting against," said Parlour.
"You've got to be setting your standards high, competing for the title. I know the fans will say 'we finish third or fourth every year' - I know last year we finished second - but you've got to be competing against the likes of City, United, Chelsea.
"Certainly he's gone out and bought some big players."
Arsenal travel to the KCOM Stadium on Saturday to face Hull City in the Premier League following their midweek Champions League group opener against Paris Saint-Germain.
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