Ray tells Emery he has to find a way to end pain on road
ARSENAL legend Ray Parlour insists Unai Emery’s revamped Gunners must show they have the stomach for a scrap before they can hope to end their appalling form on the road.
The North Londoners head to promoted Cardiff City today with only ONE away win in the Premier League this year.
That sole success came on the final day of last term at Huddersfield, making it a pathetic FOUR in total during the
2017-18 campaign.
They have since made a handful of signings including little-known
Lorient midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, 19.
And after watching his players crash at Chelsea two weeks ago, new Arsenal boss Emery knows the travel bug inside the club is far from gone. Parlour, a part of Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles who went the whole of the 2003-04 season unbeaten, reckons the away-day deficiencies in the Frenchman’s final months were glaring. Firstly a complacency they could pass their way to victory – as at fortress Emirates – and secondly a lack of willingness to fight for the right to play that way.
It will take a significant improvement in both areas, according to Parlour (above) to transform the club’s fortunes – especially this afternoon against Neil Warnock’s Welsh outfit. Parlour, a Double winner in 1998 and 2002, said: “Cardiff won’t be easy.
“They’re on cloud nine after promotion. This is a cup final for them – the chance to take a big scalp.
“Arsenal players must match Cardiff in the physical battle first. Like Paul Pogba said after Man United lost at Brighton, you need the right attitude in these games.
“The big clubs must want to fight as much as the opposition. Win those second balls. Do that first, then your quality should shine through. But if two or three players don’t fancy it, you’re in for a difficult time.
“The criticism of Arsenal away last season was they played like they were at home. You can’t do that when you don’t have the ball as much.
“They were a bit all over the place. They need to be more structured and organised – and defend better without the ball. The new manager wants to impose this style.
“If the players adapt to what he’s trying to achieve, they’ll be a lot more successful.”
As for the Spaniard’s first showdown with irrepressible Bluebirds boss Warnock, 69, expect it to be lively.
Highbury favourite and former England midfielder Parlour, 45, added: “Neil’s unique. “He’s old school and has had plenty of run-ins with other managers. He says it as it is and doesn’t hold back.
“And he’s such a great motivator. He always gets his teams playing exactly the way he wants.” Something that Emery would love to do at Arsenal – as soon as possible!