News

Parlour - Arsenal spoilt for choice now

Ray Parlour has hailed the strength in depth of Arsenal's midfield following the signings of Mesut Ozil and Mathieu Flamini.

The Gunners have a plethora of options to choose from and are still awaiting the returns of Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby.

But former Gunner Parlour thinks the competition for places in the team can only be healthy for the Club.

"When everybody is fit it will be interesting to see what sort of side the manager puts out"

Ray Parlour

"It's looking very strong, no matter who starts," Parlour told Arsenal Player. "There is so much depth in the midfield with Mikel Arteta, Mathieu - who has been a great signing - Ozil, Jack Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Cazorla - so it's a real headache for the manager.  

"When everybody is fit it will be interesting to see what sort of side the manager puts out.

"Aaron Ramsey's been the player of the season so far, he's been superb with the goals he's scored but the whole midfield are very adaptive now.

"At the moment Ramsey's guaranteed a place in my team, Flamini as well with the way he is playing in that holding role. Then it's who plays around them? Ozil obviously is going to play behind the front and then you've got Cazorla, who had a great season last year, so I'm sure he'll be back in the side as well."

Parlour, who won three Premier League titles during his time in north London, thinks a quality midfield is essential for a team that wants to challenge for trophies.

"When you look at teams like Barcelona, their midfield has always been the most important part of their game so hopefully Arsenal will be very similar," he said.