Arsene Wenger's Arsenal face big five games, Ray Parlour says
Thursday 17 September 2015 17:07, UK
Arsene Wenger and Arsenal are facing a huge five games in the wake of their defeat in Zagreb, Ray Parlour has told Sky Sports News HQ.
Wenger's decision to make six changes to a winning side backfired badly as Olivier Giroud's first-half red card contributed to Dinamo's 2-1 win in their opening Champions League game.
Parlour claims the manner of the defeat highlighted the need to sign back-up to defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin before the transfer window shut.
And with this weekend's trip to Chelsea followed by games against Tottenham, unbeaten Leicester, Olympiakos and Manchester United, the 2004 'Invincible' expects his old boss to be questioned further in the coming weeks.
"It's going to be tough," Parlour said. "The scrutiny will be on the game this weekend - whether they can bounce back. Will they be able to beat a Chelsea team who is coming off a 4-0 win?
"The next five are all difficult, but London derbies are very difficult: Chelsea away, Stamford Bridge is always a tough place to play.
"Leicester are in great form at the moment, they've been the surprise package of the season so far, so that's a tough game. Olympiakos - they should win to get their European campaign on the way. And then Manchester United is another tricky game.
"After these five games a lot of scrutiny is going to be on the players and manager."
Parlour called Arsenal's performance in Croatia "poor", adding: "The player they most missed, which was evident on the night, was Coquelin. He's the man in midfield who can win the ball back.
"When he came on there was a change in the way they played. He was the big loss, and during the transfer window maybe they should have bought another central midfield player."
