Wenger will go fourth

Parlour: backing Wenger

There's a lot of centre-halves out there who you could get in for cheaper than that, who are maybe on the right side of 25 or 26.

Ray Parlour
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Ray Parlour feels Arsenal will finish above Manchester City this season - even if Kolo Toure decides to sign for the Eastlands club.

Central defender Toure is thought to be on the verge of a £16million move from Arsenal to City and is reportedly set to hold talks with City officials and manager Mark Hughes.

Former Arsenal midfielder Parlour, who played alongside Toure, admits the loss of the Ivory Coast international would be a big blow for Arsene Wenger's side.

However, he is confident that Wenger would be able to use the transfer fee to strengthen the squad and improve the team.

"It is a big blow because he is experienced," Parlour told Sky Sports News.

"He's been there nine years, he knows how the team is run, he knows how the manager works and he is a very good player.

"But that's football these days. A big bid has come in and it's good money for Arsenal. You're looking at £15million which is a lot of money.

"There's a lot of centre-halves out there who you could get in for cheaper than that, who are maybe on the right side of 25 or 26.

"Arsene Wenger will be looking at centre-halves if he does go because you need four quality centre-halves, just as you need four quality centre-forwards."

Proven

Parlour insists that Wenger has a proven track record when it comes to buying and selling players.

And following the departure of striker Emmanuel Adebayor earlier this summer, Parlour says the Arsenal manager will have no choice but to delve into the market once again if Toure leaves.

"It will be interesting to see who Arsene Wenger brings in if Kolo does leave," he continued.

"He's got service from a quality player over nine years, they've paid his wages and they've still made money.

"I think Arsene Wenger has been unbelievable in the transfer market since he first arrived. He bought Nicolas Anelka for half a million pounds and sold him for £23.5million the season after.

"Nobody can knock him in the transfer market, but Adebayor has left and if Kolo Toure leaves you do need to replace him because the squad is lighter.

"He needed a couple of players anyway so I'm sure Arsene Wenger has got his scouting network all over the world to try and get the right players for the team."

Beat

However, despite the possible departure of Toure, Parlour is confident that his former team will beat City to the fourth Champions League spot this season.

City, Aston Villa and Everton are regarded as a serious threat to Arsenal's position in the top four, but Parlour still feels The Gunners are stronger than all of those clubs.

"I'm confident they will [finish in the top four]," Parlour said

"There's a lot of talk about Manchester City, but with all respect to Mark Hughes he has gone out and bought lots of flair players who are going to be great going forward.

"Defensive-wise, if they can get a couple of centre-halves they are going to be a great team, there's no doubt. But sometimes it does take time to settle into a team and gel together.

"The likes of Aston Villa had a great season last year, but they ran out of steam a little bit and I still think they might be a little bit short.

"Everton have not really strengthened in the market this year, so I'm confident Arsenal can definitely get in the top four.

"If Kolo Toure does go, if they can get three more players - another forward, another centre-half and a real good central midfielder - then I think they'll have a great chance."