Arsenal “need British players”, says Ray Parlour, with it vital that Aaron Ramsey stays if Danny Welbeck becomes the next home-grown talent to depart.
The Gunners have parted with three England internationals over the course of the last 12 months, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere heading through the exits.
Welbeck could be next, with Goal revealing that Unai Emery is prepared to part with a forward being linked with Premier League rivals Newcastle.
Former Arsenal midfielder Parlour told bwin of a possible deal for the 27-year-old: “It’s possible Danny Welbeck might look to leave Arsenal this summer.
“There’s a lot of competition for places and he’s at that age where he really needs to be playing every week.
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“He’s an important asset for Arsenal coming off the bench due to his versatility, but he doesn’t have the finishing skills needed to be above the likes of [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang, [Alexandre] Lacazette, [Mesut] Ozil or [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan in the pecking order.”
Wales international midfielder Ramsey could also be on the move this summer as he enters the final year of his contract.
Parlour, though, believes that it is imperative that the 27-year-old stays put – preferably on fresh terms.
He added: “It’s very important that Arsenal keep Aaron Ramsey, especially after already losing Jack Wilshere this summer. Arsenal need British players at the club after losing the likes of Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain in recent times.
“Ramsey would start every week and he’s well suited to a deeper midfield role next to [Lucas] Torreira, who can provide the platform for Ramsey to join attacks late in a similar style to Frank Lampard.
“Ramsey has good composure in front of goal and has a habit of performing in big games.”
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Arsenal have moved to counter the loss of midfield talent by acquiring Uruguay international Torreira from Sampdoria.
At 22 years of age he is considered to be one for the present and future, with there an important holding role for him to play in 2018-19.
Parlour said of the £26 million ($34m) new boy: “I think Torreira is a very good signing for Arsenal. He has a tough competitive edge that the spine of the team has been missing.
“He’s also a very mobile player who is capable of getting around the pitch and I think the midfield has been crying out for that. [Granit] Xhaka has had a good World Cup, but he’s someone who needs a mobile player next to him to cover the ground he can’t.
“Torreira is also good on the ball and very efficient in possession.”
Arsenal are currently on International Champions Cup duty in Singapore, with fixtures to come against Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain before returning to Europe to face Chelsea in Dublin.
