Ray Parlour's solution for Arsenal problem as Gunners eye January transfer swoop

01 October 2023 , 10:00

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Ray Parlour's solution for Arsenal problem as Gunners eye January transfer swoop

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has told his old club they need to score more goals — and that Ivan Toney is the man to do that for them.

Brentford ace Toney, who is serving an eight-month suspension for betting breaches, has been linked with a £60million-plus move to the Emirates in January or next summer after switching agents. Which is music to Parlour’s ears given he would have loved for the Gunners to land the hitman during the last transfer window.

But he also wants to see current striker Gabriel Jesus being more clinical in front of goal for Arsenal, who visit French side Lens in the Champions League on Tuesday. And he has challenged him to score a minimum of 15 goals a season to give his club a chance of some silverware.

‌Parlour said: “For Arsenal, you can have great play, but you’ve always got to finish the ball up. Jesus has got to score more goals as well, if I'm being honest. He has got to try to bang a few more in, he needs to be 15 to 20.

“Toney would have been perfect for Arsenal, he would have been the one I really, really would have gone for if he was available. We'll have to wait and see what happens next summer, what Brentford do, but he's always going to score goals for you.”

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Despite his goal concerns and despite the fact they are already four points behind Manchester City, Parlour still thinks Arsenal will win the Premier League this season, adding: “I'm not going to change my mind. I've done this already and I know a lot of people say, ‘Oh, I’m not too sure about this’, but I've gone Arsenal to win the league.

“I might be just a little bit optimistic, but it could be their season. Who knows? I've got Manchester City, obviously, second, and Liverpool third. And I’m going to stick with Manchester United in fourth because they could turn it around and come good.”

Ray Parlour was speaking to Mighty Tips. Visit mightytips.com

Tom Hopkinson