Former Arsenal player Ray Parlour says that the Gunners should forget about trying to sign Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling as they need to strengthen in other parts of the team.
With all the talk suggesting that Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling will be put up for sale this summer following the 20-year-olds refusal to sign a new contract at Anfield, along with his agent Aidy Wards comments that had Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers bench him for the last game of the season, Arsenal along with Manchester City are being strongly names as a possible destination for the young England international.
Parlour meanwhile feels any money the Gunners spend would be better used addressing other parts of the team.
“I’d rather concentrate on central midfield, centre-back and maybe a goalkeeper if I was manager,” he said.
“I always look down the spine of the team, which is so important. Look at Chelsea: Terry, Cahill, Fabregas, Matic, Costa. If you’re going to win leagues you’ve got to have that base.
“Raheem Sterling, as a 20-year-old – people are always looking at potential and how good could he be. But you couldn’t have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and Sterling – I don’t think that would work.”
“The big question is who?” said Parlour. “Jackson Martinez at Porto is decent. Edinson Cavani has always been mentioned. Karim Benzema may be available with the way Real Madrid might change their system with Gareth Bale playing down the middle.
“If there’s that sort of calibre player available, I think Wenger will definitely be in the market for them.”
Meanwhile following on from Arsenal’s record breaking 12th FA Cup victory Gunners boss Wenger said that he would not be spending “stratospheric” money this summer for new players.
“They’ve got an opportunity now to attract bigger players,” Parlour added. “The financial situation is much better than it was five or six years ago and getting (Alexis) Sanchez and (Mesut) Ozil in the last few years shows Arsene Wenger’s not afraid to go and buy the players if it will make the team better.
Arsene Wenger said Arsenal can push on and challenge for the Premier League title next season.
“It’s just those two or three players who could really change things. I know they’re hard to find, but if you could get a Tony Adams – a leader at the back – a ‘keeper and a central midfielder…
“I think Koscielny would be the ideal player, but it’s probably not in his nature to be a leader.
“If Wenger can find it and he was the right money, he would get it. But who do you take a gamble with and who do you think can do the job? Arsene Wenger always looks at the mentality and attitude of players when he’s bought them.
“It’s just finding the right player really. That would be a really important signing – if they could make one like that it could be the difference.”
