Ray Parlour on January transfers: Arsenal should target ‘next Ian Wright’ Ivan Toney; Ronaldo too lazy for Arsenal; Nketiah not good enough to replace Jesus, French FWD perfect for Arsenal +more

Following news that striker Gabriel Jesus will miss three months with a knee injury, Parlour believes Arsenal should sign Ivan Toney, to bolster their attacking options and keep their Premier League title chase alive.

Parlour said: “The problem you’re going to have in January is who’s available? I’ve always said Ivan Toney of Brentford. I’d go and try to get him if I could. I don’t think you’ll get him in this window but he’s who I’d go for. I think he’s similar to Ian Wright the way he plays and scores his goals. I know Marcus Thuram at Borussia Mönchengladbach could be available because his contract is up at the end of the year.

“I know Edu went to see the Arsenal owners last week and I’m sure he would’ve mentioned the situation and said we might need to bolster our attacking options at centre forward now. It’s such a shame because although Jesus wasn’t banging goals in, he was creating so much. I heard it was only three weeks initially but now it’s seemingly three months which is obviously a much bigger issue.

Arsenal should sign French international forward Marcus Thuram

Ray Parlour said, “I know Marcus Thuram at Borussia Mönchengladbach could be available because his contract is up at the end of the year. I do know Edu was looking for a winger/forward when I spoke to him in preseason. He wanted a winger who could go past someone and offer something a bit different to what they’ve got now. Someone pacy like a Marc Overmars… that’s what I’d be looking to bring in.”

Ronaldo is too lazy to sign for Arsenal in January

Arsenal fan Piers Morgan publicly urged Arsenal to sign Cristiano Ronaldo after he was released by Manchester United but Parlour had advised his former club to steer clear of the Portugal striker despite Jesus’ injury.

Ray Parlour said ”I wasn’t in favour of bringing Ronaldo in, certainly not before Jesus got injured because he won’t want to be sitting on the bench again. I just don’t think he’ll work hard enough. I know he scores the goals but Ronaldo won’t bring the energy of Jesus by any means. He still is a very good player but will he fit into Arsenal’s system the way they play now? I don’t see it. I’d be amazed if it happens but if it did then you’d have to just get behind it as an Arsenal fan and back the team.”

Eddie Nketiah is not enough for Arsenal to win the title

Ray Parlour said, “I really like Eddie Nketiah. I think he’s great to bring off the bench but he’s not Jesus is he? That’s the problem you’re going to have. I know Jesus hasn’t scored for a while for Arsenal but he brings so much to the team in terms of his work rate and link up play. He never gives up and his intense pressing makes it easier for the midfield behind him to win the ball back. Gabriel Martinelli could be an option through the middle as well with his energy.”

Arsenal MUST tie Saka down to a long contract now

Ray urges Arsenal to tie down Bukayo Saka to a long-term contract now, or face big clubs coming in to turn the youngster’s head.

Ray Parlour said “I just hope he signs up for Arsenal very quickly, that’s what I’m more worried about. We need to get him tied down, as well as Martinelli, Saliba and the other youngsters and hopefully that will happen soon. Saka is similar to Bellingham in some ways, he’s becoming a huge star, and he’s got the same work ethic too.”

Saliba not starting for France is a good news for Gunners

William Saliba had starred for Arsenal over the course of the season but has yet to feature for his nation at the World Cup to the surprise of Parlour who is a huge fan of the central defender.

Ray Parlour said, “It has surprised me [Saliba’s lack of action] and I was also surprised Gabriel didn’t get a look in for Brazil as well because partnerships are so important and those two have been great for Arsenal. But it just shows you the depth that France have. The coach has gone with the experience of Varane alongside Konate so Saliba will have to bide his time. Saliba has been excellent for Arsenal but Deschamps is trusting those he knows and has seen more of you’d imagine. But Arsenal need to get Saliba signed up to a new contract because it looked at one point that he’d be off. But he’s stayed and flourished so Arsenal must keep him there as long as they can now.”

Arsenal in the running to sign £100m Bellingham

Jude Bellingham was heralded after his latest stunning performance for England against Senegal and while Parlour is certain the midfielder will leave Borussia Dortmund at some point, he believes Bellingham MUST return to a PL club.

Ray Parlour said: “I think Arsenal definitely need another midfielder but whether they’ll be willing to spend the sort of money Dortmund are going to be asking I don’t know. You’re going to be looking at £100m plus add ons now but certainly he’s a fantastic talent he really is but Liverpool will be in the market for him and Manchester City too. There will be loads of offers but I just hope he comes back to the Premier League. I can see why Birminham retired his shirt now because they knew just how good he’s going to be.”

“At the moment I’m sure his agent and Dortmund will be rubbing their hands together because every time he plays his price goes up by £10m or £20m. It will be interesting to see what happens going forward but I do see him coming back to the Premier League one day but where he goes and how much he goes for will be really interesting to see.”