Ray Parlour described Arsenal’s third consecutive runners-up finish in the Premier League this year as “consistency”, but warned the “next step is the hardest”.
Parlour, 52, made over 450 appearances for Arsenal during their most successful period under Arsene Wenger.
The former midfielder knows a thing or two about winning trophies, picking up three Premier League titles along with a host of domestic silverware during his 12-year spell in north London.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, however, currently finds his side without major silverware in five years, after his FA Cup victory in his maiden managerial campaign.
Arsenal's last piece of silverware was the FA Cup in 2020
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Speaking exclusively to NetBet Online Casino, Parlour cited early season mishaps in their failure to challenge domestically last year: “Some decisions didn't go Arsenal's way early on in the season, and was a concern leaving them with 10 men in a few games.
“Then you can't hide away from losing all your strikers for a key period in the season.”
Letting Eddie Nketiah go to Crystal Palace in the summer, along with Gabriel Jesus’ long-term injury meant upon the arrival of the January window, Arsenal appeared to be in desperate need of a new No 9.
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Arteta’s side were heavily linked with moves for Red Bull Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins during January due to their striker shortage.
Despite this, they failed to bring any new faces to the club, and Parlour believes sporting director Edu Gaspar’s resignation in November may have played its part in this.
He said: “I think Arsenal had always targeted the summer for future squad investment and maybe with Edu not being there, it was going to be difficult to get a new striker in.
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“Recruitment isn't easy, especially in January, so assume behind the scenes they had their reasons and we will see good investment in the squad with new Sporting director now in place.”
Former Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta was appointed to the role in March.
When reflecting on last year’s mixed campaign, Parlour said: “Second again is consistency for the club.
“The next step is the hardest, but with investment this summer, Arsenal will have more strength in depth to push on.”
Arsenal are said to be advancing in negotiations again for Sesko and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, who scored for Spain in their Nations League final defeat on Penalties last week, is considered a done deal.
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Ray Parlour was insistent that the 'next step is the hardest' for Arsenal
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After these additions, Parlour feels a winger to “challenge” Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka is also important.
Fellow title-contenders Liverpool have flown out of the blocks in the summer’s transfer window, confirming the signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, while Florian Wirtz and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez just seem to be a matter of time.
Parlour does not think it will be “too long” before the Gunners “pull the trigger on their key targets”, again citing the sporting director changeover as the reason for their slow start to the window.
When looking forward to next year, though, Parlour was keen to remind fans of what followed before Arsenal’s previous league dominance.
He explained: “We finished 2nd three years in a row and then won the double.”
Next season promises to be an important year for Arsenal and, in particular, Arteta.
With this year marking five years without a trophy, pressure has begun mounting as to whether the Spanish manager has taken the club as far as he can.
Parlour, however, remains behind the boss and instilled his confidence that they could at least mount a significant challenge next year.
“There is always pressure when you are managing a club like Arsenal," he said.
“The club are so close now, it's the final hurdle which can be the most difficult.
“But I do think this summer's investment and the existing quality Arsenal have, it will be a very good season next year.”
With Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea spending big in the early days of the window, Arsenal will be looking to open the chequebook sooner rather than later to ensure their first piece of silverware since 2020.
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