Arsene Wenger has just over a month to add any more players to the current Arsenal squad, but it does not look as though the Frenchman is in much of a hurry. In fact there is a growing feeling that he might only do so if the next few weeks throw up an injury problem or an obvious weak link in the team.
So there is a very real chance that the only Arsenal signing of the summer could be the Czech Republic international Petr Cech from Chelsea. Although our former midfielder and member of the famous Invincibles side of 2003-04, Ray Parlour, does not necessarily agree with this, he does believe that the addition of the 33-year old has made the current team as close to that famous group as we have seen in the last 11 years.
Parlour told The Mirror that he believes the keeper could be just as important to the club as David Seaman and Jens Lehmann did, both on and off the pitch, and he has no worries about Cech´s age being a drawback.
But Parlour would still like to see the manager sign another couple of players to strengthen us in midfield and the centre of defence. But he is not crying out for them and feels that the team spirit is brilliant and with a better run of luck on the injury front then this could be our year.
He said, “It’s definitely the best squad since the Invincibles. They need to steer clear of injuries. Last season, if the injury list was a bit lighter at certain times then they would have been a lot closer.
“The most important thing in any squad is to have the right team spirit and harmony. Everyone has to be pulling in the same direction. You can’t have some not getting on with others, a personal feud or something like that.
“At the moment, it’s the best I’ve seen in terms of team spirit for a long time. I think now, winning the two FA Cups, they believe they can go to the next level which, for me, is winning the league. That’s the most important trophy. That shows you how consistent you are throughout the season.
“I don’t think you can win the league if you haven’t got a top class goalkeeper. I was lucky to play with David Seaman and Jens Lehmann. When David Seaman went, we all thought: ‘how can you replace him?’ Luckily enough, Jens came in. He is such a big character.
“Petr Cech is experienced, has won everything, been involved in massive games which is so important. He’ll be involved in the dressing room, helping the youngsters, helping people who have not gone as far as Chelsea when he played for them.
“He’s a proven keeper and I still think he’s a good age. I look at Van Der Saar, he turned up at Manchester United at 35 years old and you think: ‘can he still do it?’ He was superb for the next three or four seasons.
“I think it’s a massive signing. Maybe they need a few more as well. I was hoping that they’d get Morgan Schneiderlin. I’ve watched him a few times this year. I watched him at St Mary’s against Chelsea which is always a good test, to put him against the best.
“I would still look at that position and also centre half as well. I know there’s Chambers who could emerge as a top centre half. Not really seen a lot of Gabriel yet. Then Mertesacker and Koscielny would probably be first choice.”
How close do you think Arsenal are from the invincibles and what do we need to do to get there?