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Goal.com Interview: 'It's 50-50 whether Cesc Fabregas leaves Arsenal for Barcelona,' says Ray Parlour
Regardless of Spaniard's future, 'Romford Pele' hopes for Melo purchase...
6 Aug 2010 07:55:00
EXCLUSIVE
By Andy Brassell
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour thinks the future of the club's current talisman Cesc Fabregas is still very much up in the air, despite the club captain's attendance at yesterday's fans' open day at the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK at the Betfair Five Horse Race at Kempton Park, Parlour said he hoped the Spaniard would publicly pledge his loyalty to Arsene Wenger's side, but was not confident this would prove to be the case.
"I would love him to come out and say what (Fernando) Torres said about being committed to the club," Parlour said.
"I still think it's 50-50. I wouldn't say he's definitely going to stay, but I hope he stays for another year, or longer if he can, but anything could happen."
Parlour, who won three Premier League titles among nine trophies during a glittering career in N5, sees the final decision as pivotal to the Gunners' hopes of ending a five-year trophy drought: "It's quite frustrating for Arsene Wenger, because obviously he's desperate for him to stay, because if you want to win the league, you need your best players to stay."
Despite Fabregas' well-known desire to return to his first club, Parlour doesn't think the midfielder will shortchange the club, should he fail to get his wish.
"Cesc will be committed if he pulls on the Arsenal shirt," he insisted. "He's been at the club for so long, and it's not in his character to go through the motions."
The ten-cap England international is keen to see a conclusion to the saga, however. "I just hope something can be done next week, we can put it to bed and get on with the season. Because at the moment Arsenal Football Club is dominated by this story, and we need to concentrate on how we're going to do this season."
If the news that all Arsenal fans are dreading did become reality, Parlour thinks the skipper's replacement could come from within the current squad. "[Samir] Nasri can play that position very well," he said. "When Cesc has been injured he's played in the hole and looked good. He's got the football brain for it. Wilshere's done well - maybe he could play that role as well."
Still, Parlour is adamant that the squad would need reinforcement were Fabregas to leave.
"You would still look at another midfielder coming in - one out, one in," he said, adding that a direct substitute would not be his choice. "The Arsenal midfield has got a lot of attacking players," argued Parlour. "If I was Arsene Wenger, I'd be looking at someone like Melo as a holding player. [Andrei] Arshavin or even [Robin] Van Persie could play the Fabregas role if he leaves. There are a lot of options."
The 37-year-old is positive about Wenger's summer transfer dealings, particularly Marouane Chamakh, who crowned an impressive pre-season with a goal on his Emirates bow against AC Milan.
"He's done ever so well," beamed Parlour. "I've been down to the training ground a few times and the fitness people are very impressed with him. He's mobile and he's tough. You have to be able to handle the bumps and bruises and a few bad challenges, and I think he can."
Parlour is also optimistic that Laurent Koscielny will prove a handy replacement for the departed William Gallas. "I've been very impressed with him. It's a big step up for him, but I spoke to Gilles Grimandi, who's a scout in France, and he said he's improved a lot, and he wants to learn and get even better, so I think he'll be a good signing. He's a good tackler and decent on the ball."
On Koscielny's omission from Laurent Blanc's first France squad, Parlour was philosophical. "It means he's got something to aim for. If he concentrates on Arsenal and does well, I'm sure he'll get in. That's what he has to concentrate on for now," he said.
'The Romford Pele' admitted that the Gunners' goalkeeping situation is a little more delicate, but he is in no doubt who the best solution to Wenger's quandary would be.
"I think Schwarzer would be great," Parlour said. "I played with him at Middlesbrough, and he's very solid and dependable. He doesn't make as many ricks as other goalkeepers, and I think he had a lot to do with how well Fulham did last season.
"He would be a great signing for me," continued Parlour, "but with Mark Hughes wanting to keep him, it looks like Wenger might have to go in with the three keepers from last season. Whether that will cost them, we'll see."
Parlour is optimistic that the goalkeeping talent in the ranks will eventually come good. "[Wojciech] Szczesny, who was on loan at Brentford last season, has really impressed," he said. "He's still young, but he's a tall guy with good presence. Fabianski has made some bad ricks but is a good keeper.
"He won't go out and spend £30 million on a goalkeeper, or someone expensive like [Hugo] Lloris from Lyon - it just won't happen."
Former Arsenal star Ray Parlour took part in the Betfair Five Horse Race at Kempton Park Racecourse to highlight that for the first time in Betfair's history there are five teams at 15-1 or shorter to win the Premier League.
Betfair punters now officially consider the League to be fought for by a BIG FIVE rather than the BIG FOUR of recent years.
For all the latest action from the day visit www.betfairfootball.com.
By Andy Brassell
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour thinks the future of the club's current talisman Cesc Fabregas is still very much up in the air, despite the club captain's attendance at yesterday's fans' open day at the Emirates Stadium.
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Speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK at the Betfair Five Horse Race at Kempton Park, Parlour said he hoped the Spaniard would publicly pledge his loyalty to Arsene Wenger's side, but was not confident this would prove to be the case.
"I would love him to come out and say what (Fernando) Torres said about being committed to the club," Parlour said.
"I still think it's 50-50. I wouldn't say he's definitely going to stay, but I hope he stays for another year, or longer if he can, but anything could happen."
Parlour, who won three Premier League titles among nine trophies during a glittering career in N5, sees the final decision as pivotal to the Gunners' hopes of ending a five-year trophy drought: "It's quite frustrating for Arsene Wenger, because obviously he's desperate for him to stay, because if you want to win the league, you need your best players to stay."
Despite Fabregas' well-known desire to return to his first club, Parlour doesn't think the midfielder will shortchange the club, should he fail to get his wish.
"Cesc will be committed if he pulls on the Arsenal shirt," he insisted. "He's been at the club for so long, and it's not in his character to go through the motions."
Barca boy | Parlour says Cesc will still be "committed" for Arsenal if his dream move fails
The ten-cap England international is keen to see a conclusion to the saga, however. "I just hope something can be done next week, we can put it to bed and get on with the season. Because at the moment Arsenal Football Club is dominated by this story, and we need to concentrate on how we're going to do this season."
If the news that all Arsenal fans are dreading did become reality, Parlour thinks the skipper's replacement could come from within the current squad. "[Samir] Nasri can play that position very well," he said. "When Cesc has been injured he's played in the hole and looked good. He's got the football brain for it. Wilshere's done well - maybe he could play that role as well."
Still, Parlour is adamant that the squad would need reinforcement were Fabregas to leave.
"You would still look at another midfielder coming in - one out, one in," he said, adding that a direct substitute would not be his choice. "The Arsenal midfield has got a lot of attacking players," argued Parlour. "If I was Arsene Wenger, I'd be looking at someone like Melo as a holding player. [Andrei] Arshavin or even [Robin] Van Persie could play the Fabregas role if he leaves. There are a lot of options."
The 37-year-old is positive about Wenger's summer transfer dealings, particularly Marouane Chamakh, who crowned an impressive pre-season with a goal on his Emirates bow against AC Milan.
"He's done ever so well," beamed Parlour. "I've been down to the training ground a few times and the fitness people are very impressed with him. He's mobile and he's tough. You have to be able to handle the bumps and bruises and a few bad challenges, and I think he can."
Bright start | Chamakh has impressed the Gunners' faithful - and Parlour
Parlour is also optimistic that Laurent Koscielny will prove a handy replacement for the departed William Gallas. "I've been very impressed with him. It's a big step up for him, but I spoke to Gilles Grimandi, who's a scout in France, and he said he's improved a lot, and he wants to learn and get even better, so I think he'll be a good signing. He's a good tackler and decent on the ball."
On Koscielny's omission from Laurent Blanc's first France squad, Parlour was philosophical. "It means he's got something to aim for. If he concentrates on Arsenal and does well, I'm sure he'll get in. That's what he has to concentrate on for now," he said.
'The Romford Pele' admitted that the Gunners' goalkeeping situation is a little more delicate, but he is in no doubt who the best solution to Wenger's quandary would be.
"I think Schwarzer would be great," Parlour said. "I played with him at Middlesbrough, and he's very solid and dependable. He doesn't make as many ricks as other goalkeepers, and I think he had a lot to do with how well Fulham did last season.
"He would be a great signing for me," continued Parlour, "but with Mark Hughes wanting to keep him, it looks like Wenger might have to go in with the three keepers from last season. Whether that will cost them, we'll see."
Parlour is optimistic that the goalkeeping talent in the ranks will eventually come good. "[Wojciech] Szczesny, who was on loan at Brentford last season, has really impressed," he said. "He's still young, but he's a tall guy with good presence. Fabianski has made some bad ricks but is a good keeper.
"He won't go out and spend £30 million on a goalkeeper, or someone expensive like [Hugo] Lloris from Lyon - it just won't happen."
Former Arsenal star Ray Parlour took part in the Betfair Five Horse Race at Kempton Park Racecourse to highlight that for the first time in Betfair's history there are five teams at 15-1 or shorter to win the Premier League.
Betfair punters now officially consider the League to be fought for by a BIG FIVE rather than the BIG FOUR of recent years.
For all the latest action from the day visit www.betfairfootball.com.
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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