Ray Parlour has urged Arsene Wenger to sign Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer as No.1 keeper for the Arsenal. And Gunners legend Parlour reckons Everton’s Phil Jagielka would be an ideal candidate to ease our defensive concerns.
Parlour has also stated that he thinks AW has unearthed a couple of jewels in new central defender Laurent Koscielny and Marouane Chamakh.
Parlour played in front of the big Aussie keeper during his spell at Boro and thinks AW will be tempted to capture him for a few mil for a couple of season rather than splash out big money on a more high-profile stopper.
“I can’t see Arsene spending £20million on a keeper. He already has Almunia and Fabianski at the club but I do see Schwarzer coming in and establishing himself as first choice. He has good qualities and is priced at the right amount to interest Arsene,” Parlour told arsenalinsider.com.
Next up to fall under Parlour’s scrutiny was new striker Marouane Chamakh, who scored in the 1-1 draw with AC Milan on the way to our retaining the Emirates Cup at the weekend. Chamakh has looked the part since his arrival from Bordeaux on a Bosman free transfer and Parlour says his work rate, willingness to show and speed will be crucial to developing as a player who can influence games for the Arsenal in the Premier League.
“He seems to mean business up front on his own and you need the qualities that he possesses to make your way in the Premier League. I have been impressed with him and his speed of thought – and feet – and he has a great work ethic, is willing to make runs and is always keen to receive the ball. He can only get better to my mind,” added Parlour, who played for the rip-roaring Reds 332 times, scoring 22 goals (thought it would have been more than that…best ever must have been Chelsea in the FA Cup final win at the Millennium.
French defender Koscielny, 24, has enjoyed an amazing year – joining us just 12 months after leaving Ligue 2 side Tours for Lorient. He has slotted in nicely alongside Tommy V. – since his arrival a few weeks back for £8.5mil – at the back and has impressed Parlour with his reading of the game and ability.
“He looks a great prospect and certainly has a certain hunger about him. He is perceptive in his reading of the game and acts quickly on what he sees unfolding in front of him, I have to say I have been very impressed,” insisted Parlour, who suspects AW will need cover in the central defensive role. “You’ve got Johan Djourou but the club definitely need another player in that position…you’d always say you need four strong central defenders. If it were down to me I’d like to see Phil Jagielka come to the club but I am not sure if that is going to happen.”
*Ray Parlour is preparing to ride a horse nicknamed Arsene Wenger in Betfair’s Five Horse Race at Kempton Park Racecourse on Thursday 5 August.
The midfielder is taking part in the event alongside Kerry Dixon, Neil Ruddock, Steve Lomas and David May. The one furlong race highlights the fact that, for the first time in Betfair’s history, the betting points to a five-way Premier League battle, rather than the traditional BIG FOUR showdown.
The five players are representing their former clubs, all of whom are 15-1 or shorter to win the title.
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