Unlucky Arsenal

Ray Parlour: high hopes for Wenger's boys

It used to be a tag: lucky Arsenal, but I don't think you can call them lucky anymore. They've had a lot of bad luck really.

Ray Parlour
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Ray Parlour told Sky Sports News with a few new players, and a bit of luck, Arsenal can win things next season.

Arsenal's defeat at Old Trafford effectively brought to an end their title challenge having taken just nine points from their last eight games, including five draws.

And former Gunner, Parlour feels that too many drawn matches has led to their downfall.

He told Sky Sports News: "They've just had too many draws - they've only lost three games this season.

"As Arsene Wenger has said, from March onwards they've had too many draws. Manchester United have been stronger towards the end of the season whereas Arsenal have been running out of steam.

"It's been a very frustrating season for Arsene Wenger, but there is a good bunch of player down there and they can only get better.

Parlour, monikered the Romford Pele during his Highbury days, cites bad luck, both with injuries and decisions going against them, as a major factor in a third trophy-less season for the Gunners.

Turning point

"I think you can go back to Eduardo getting injured," continued Parlour, "that didn't help the squad, and on that day they lost a late goal to lose two points.

"It used to be a tag: lucky Arsenal, but I don't think you can call them lucky anymore. They've had a lot of bad luck really.

"In the Champions League first leg (against Liverpool) they had a ref who wouldn't give the penalty to Arsenal and in the second leg the ref gave a similar one against them."

But Parlour, who made 339 league appearances during his 12-year career at Arsenal, feels that Wenger's team can improve and take the league by storm once again next season.

"I think they've surprised a lot of people this year. I was lucky enough to train with them last year and whenever I went up there, or for lunches this year, there has always been a great atmosphere which you need - you need a great team spirit.

"His problem is getting them off the training field! They do too much, they want to improve and the hunger is there.

"It's a big season for them next year now.

Nucleus

"I think it's very important that Arsene Wenger keeps the nucleus of the squad he's got there already because they're going to get better.

"The likes of Hleb, Clichy and Sagna, in his first season, have done well this year."

"I think he needs a couple of players, without doubt. He needs an experienced, good centre half; maybe a midfield player if Gilberto leaves. And maybe even a striker.

"He won't upset the squad, he won't go out there and panic-buy. He'll make sure he brings in the right players.

"If you look back at his transfers, he's probably only got 20 per cent wrong in his career, so he'll look around, do his homework and look to improve the squad rather than look to big names.

"I think he'll buy two or three, but they have to be the right players for Arsenal.

"They thought they could win it this year and they've done so well up to March, and maybe the squad wasn't big enough. When you look at Manchester United they can score goals from everywhere and I think that's been the difference."