Ray Parlour has highlighted defence as a huge issue for Arsenal manager Unai Emery after their 3-2 loss to Southampton on Sunday, saying the Gunners need ‘massive, massive surgery’ at the back.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored a double as Arsenal fought back twice from going behind against the Saints, but a late Charlie Austin goal saw their unbeaten run end at 22 games.
Former Gunners midfielder Parlour has now pinpointed defence as Emery’s biggest issue ahead of the January transfer window, saying the Spaniard will need at least two windows to rectify the problem.
Speaking on Alan Brazil’s Sports Breakfast on talkSPORT, Parlour said: “They’ve got to sort that defence out, Arsenal. I think, you know, Emery’s 22 games unbeaten, it was a great run, it was always going to come to an end.
“I think Arsenal will look at their defence and say well we do need massive, massive surgery in that defence. I always say you’ve got to give him a couple of transfer windows, Emery, I think he’s done so well as a manager, I think the progress from Arsenal has been excellent, but they’ve still got to buy a few more, better quality players at the back.”
???? "Arsenal need massive surgery in that defense"
? "Emery has done so well, but needs a few transfer windows"
Will Arsenal finish in the top 4 this season? pic.twitter.com/Ww8rXsT4As
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 17, 2018
OPINION
It is obvious to anyone who knows anything about football that defence is Arsenal’s biggest issue at the moment, so Parlour is right in highlighting it here. The attacking players that Emery has at his disposal mean that the Gunners are unlikely to have trouble scoring or creating goals, and his focus must be on revamping his defence. The two genuine title challengers this season, Liverpool and Manchester City, have both of the best defences in the Premier League, and that is no coincidence at all. Every single team in the top six or seven sides in the division have a dangerous attack, but not all have solid defences. At this level that is what makes the difference, and Arsenal will remain where they are unless it is sorted. Obviously it is still early days for Emery, and Gunners fans will be hoping that he manages to bring in a couple of players in the January window to try and fix their issues and set them up for a run at the top four in the second half of the campaign.