Arsenal legend believes top four finish would be ‘unbelievable’
Arsenal club legend Ray Parlour has suggested that it would be an “unbelievable” achievement if they finish in the Champions League places this season.
The Gunners are on a good run of form of late. They have won three straight games in the Premier League.
These victories have come against Southampton, West Ham United and Leeds United.
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This form has seen them rise up to fourth in the table. They can be overtaken by Man Utd and Tottenham if their rivals capitalise on their games in hand.
Arsenal face League One side Sunderland in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night.
As quoted by the Daily Mail, Parlour has praised Mikel Arteta for ridding of the “deadwood” to create a “good spirit” at Arsenal:
“I think he’s got the dressing room now. I know it was big news with Aubameyang and what’s happened to him and he’s a big figurehead in that dressing room.
“But since Aubameyang hasn’t been in the side, I’ve seen a good spirit which, sometimes if you leave out an influential player like Aubameyang, then you might have a problem.
“I’m sure everybody does like Aubameyang and gets on with him. But he didn’t have an option and had to stamp his authority. He’s got a young team, a very young team.
“You can’t have youngsters looking at Aubameyang and thinking, ‘He’s got away with it, maybe I can do the same’, you can’t do that in the dressing room.
“He got the deadwood out, he got the people he wanted to out. Now if you go through the team, the back four is 24, 23 and 22. Ramsdale has been a massive influence, I know it was a poor result against Everton, but other than that it has been pretty good.
“You look at the midfield. Xhaka and Lacazette are the only ones who are 29 and 30. All the rest are really good ages so if they develop as a side going forward then they might have a chance. But it’s all ifs and buts.”
Parlour went onto suggest that it would be an “unbelievable” achievement if Arsenal finished fourth:
“Every manager knows this is a results business. If Arsenal lose five games in a row and end up 10th in the table then people will be calling for his head again.
“He’s just got to keep this going now. I know Manchester United and Spurs have got games in hand on Arsenal. But that would be an unbelievable season if Arsenal can come fourth.
“At the moment they’re sitting in that spot. I know there’s a long way to go, we’re only halfway through the season. But certainly, I’ve seen an improvement in the players. I think there’s a connection now between the fans and the players”