Ray Parlour wants Arsenal to sign Wilfried Zaha after they missed out on landing him in 2019.
The Ivorian has been a long-term target for the Gunners and he is also their childhood fan.
However, Arsenal chose to sign Nicolas Pepe two years ago, even though Unai Emery told the club that he wanted Zaha and spoke with the attacker.
Pepe has struggled since his £72m move to the Emirates, but Zaha has remained one of the best players in the Premier League.
Parlour can understand why Arsenal couldn’t land Zaha at the time as they got a favourable payment plan on the Pepe transfer.
Crystal Palace would have wanted all the £72m paid upfront for Zaha, but the Gunners have to pay for Pepe over the length of his career at the club.
Former Arsenal man, Parlour, says that Zaha showed why Arsenal should have signed him in the last game between both teams and he would be happy if his former side moves for him again.
He told Stadium Astro via The Sun: “I’m sure Emery would have loved to have someone like Zaha, but again it’s down to the board and money available.
“Pepe, they did that in a staggered way, probably paying £15million a year, which suited the French side where he came from.
‘Probably Crystal Palace wanted the money up front, which Arsenal couldn’t have done at that time… because if you (Palace) lose your best player you need to replace him.”
He added: “He got frustrated at times, where they tried to kick him. We saw David Luiz going back and he reacted at times, but we all know what a special talent he is.
“When he’s running at you full pelt… I wouldn’t like to play against him as a defender.
“You know he makes things happen, he goes down, he gets free-kicks in good areas, he can get penalties at times.
“He’s a real talent. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see him in an Arsenal shirt.”
The shipped sailed 2 years ago
He hasn’t pulled up any trees since going back to palace so a big no from me ,palace should not have played hard ball when we wanted him and TBH I would take Saka and Martinelli over him any day of the week .
2 players who are just stating their careers and the look hungry and both look like world class players in the making .
both are more direct in their pattern and has more potential.
He is just an overated dribring guy who contribute less to the team, rather prefer to entertain
Agree, Dan kit, the ship have sailed and Arsenal should concentrate on their internal prospects.
“Former Arsenal man, Parlour, says that Zaha showed why Arsenal should have signed him in the last game between both teams”
….How exactly? No goal or assist, created little
“You know he makes things happen, he goes down, he gets free-kicks in good areas, he can get penalties at times”
….nice way of saying he dives often, he is s cheat
Saka and Martinelli are both much better as well.
Lets look at last season with Zaha being a well experienced EPL player and Pepe in a new league.
EPL last season:
Pepe…31 games (often on the bench)
5 goals + 6 assists
Zaha…38 games (usually starts)
4 goals + 3 assists
Pepe first season. Some will tell you he play in small club. but ill ask them, how has playing in small club not affect Watkings of Aston villa or the soton Danny Ings
You’re not alone, Raymondo!!
That is his personal opinion, i rate Pepe better and for the same amount ill take Pepe any day. younger and with a lot more potential, seems to be struggling presently, however form is temporal and class is permanent. Zaha in arsenal cant do better than Zaha of palace
No way! I lost all respect for him when he was showboating against Arsenal instead of passing the ball. Not a team player and I prefer a younger Adama Traoré. He plays a different position but that will free up one of the youngsters to play on the left.
God give me strength ! Hes just ok, hes not that good he deserves this much attention.
it was between him and Pepe. Both were expensive and not worth their pricetags. I dont know why Arsenal were adamant to overspend on a winger that summer.
I’d rather have Eze than Saha or Pepe or Willian.He is a really talented winger who will, I am sure gravitate from Palace to greater heights.Swap AMN for Eze?
Pepe will shine for arsenal just needs time.needs to look for teammates around him and not try to do it all himself. He will come good