Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has insisted that the Gunners haven’t progressed under Unai Emery and that the team’s ‘no better’ than it was under Arsene Wenger.
Whilst speaking on Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show for talkSPORT, Arsenal legend Ray Parlour admitted that he thinks the Gunners have made little progress since Unai Emery took the reins from Arsene Wenger.
Pressure is mounting on Emery after Arsenal’s 1-0 defat to promoted side Sheffield United on Monday night.
The loss is only Arsenal’s second of the season, but the Spaniard has come under fire recently for his team selections and the side’s general unflattering performances in some games.
Parlour reiterated that anything other than a top four finish in the Premier League would be considered as a “failure” for the club.
The Gunners have been without Champions League football for much longer than they would’ve hoped.
We need to get back into Europe’s elite club competitions as soon as possible if we want to stop ourselves from becoming ‘fallen giants’.
Parlour gave his thoughts on what the club’s aim should be this season:
“As I said before at the start of the season; if they come fourth, it’s a great season. Champions League football is the most important thing for Arsenal now going forward.”
“If they come fifth or sixth this year it has been a failure again. Because they went into the transfer market and I think everyone was quite excited about the signings.”
“So I think it is going to be interesting to see what happens going forward.”
Romford’s very own Pele also had his say on how things are going under Emery:
“No, it’s not better (than when Wenger was in charge), but it is a real opportunity.”
“After we started really well during the start of the season, people were going ‘Oh we can challenge for the title’ and I said no chance!”
“I said that on here – no chance whatsoever. If they come fourth in the league, it’s been a very good season.”
“They’re fifth at the moment and still have every chance of coming fourth so it was a poor result the other day.”
“But the other teams are struggling as well around them that might give them an opportunity to get fourth place, which would be a great season for Arsenal.”
Parlour isn’t the only Gunners great that has voiced his concern on the side’s progress under Emery.
The side will be expected to come through tonight’s Europa League clash against Vitoria with no worries.
More importantly the Gunners need to make things right in the Premier League against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
A free-flowing attacking performance – like the ones we’ve already showcased in Europe, will give the team some much needed confidence ahead of the vital clash with Palace.