Ex-Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has told The Huffington Post UK that a new contract for Robin van Persie would be the club’s “biggest signing” for next season.
One Sunday broadsheet reported that the Dutchman had verbally agreed to a £210,000-a-week deal with Manchester City, with his Arsenal contract due to expire in June 2013.
Parlour said: “Van Persie’s been magnificent. He’s really enjoying the captain’s role too. I could see him talking to the players before the Spurs game, and Arsenal have needed that.
“He is going to be the biggest signing they make this summer, no doubt about it. If Robin van Persie stays that’ll be a major boost.”
RVP has been in supreme form for the Gunners this season, scoring 32 goals in all competitions – including last week’s brace to sink Liverpool at Anfield. And Parlour is adamant that if Arsene Wenger can retain his striker, the team has an enviable spine.
“That’s a very important point (the spine). Jack Wilshere is a fantastic player. I like Koscielny, I think he’s improved. There were a lot of doubters for a while but I think he’s got better.
Parlour won nine major honours during a 12-year career at Arsenal
“It’s one of those situations where the spine is very important – Szczesny and Van Persie have been outstanding – so it’s a positive. But you’ve got to build on that now.
The 2004 "Invincibles" squad member added: “Players like Wilshere and Ramsey are still youngsters and I’d put Walcott in that bracket. I know he’s been around a long while but he’s still a young lad and can get better.”
Walcott has endured mounting criticism this season to the extent that he was booed during the home win against Tottenham. He hit two goals in the second half, but the ex-Southampton player has struggled at the Emirates Stadium since his 2006 move, and Parlour believes additional focus is required.
“He did have a poor game in the first half,” the ex-England international admitted.
“It is all about pace with Theo but you’ve got to do something with the ball as well. And I do sometimes think if he could do that little bit more work at the end of training, maybe on his final delivery or his final options, he’d be a much better player.
“He’s got to get that decision-making a little bit better. You saw his goals in the second half; if he can improve on certain parts of his game then he’ll be a top player.”
Despite last week’s Champions League exit to AC Milan, the Reds have won their last three matches after two successive defeats. The two-time Double winner believes that the damage of the losses to Milan and Sunderland in the FA Cup have proven to be a blessing in disguise.
“That was a massive week. When you talk about the disappointing results they had, what a game to bounce back to. Spurs came in great form but Arsenal just wanted it more than them. It was a fantastic result.”
Van Persie is already looking ahead to tonight's match against Newcastle:
Regarding the ultimately fruitless Milan fightback – which saw Arsenal win 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium but go out 4-3 on aggregate – Parlour trumpeted the team’s newfound resilience.
“It was a real positive that they went out there and had a real go,” he stressed.
“It will help them that they were disappointed after the game. It was important that they played like that and the fans went away very proud of the players, which will help them for the rest of the season.”
And what of Wenger? It has been touted that the 15 years at the helm of a club he has transformed may not make it to 16, but Parlour is convinced that this new pool of talent will entice him to continue.
“A lot has happened at Arsenal. Moving stadiums is a major step and it affects your resources, so he’s done a wonderful job just to keep them in the Champions League for 14 consecutive seasons,” the Romford-born midfielder opined.
“But he’ll be aiming as high as he can. I hope the board give him money to spend this summer, but I think he’ll definitely be there next season."
As part of the Indesit Loves Football campaign Ray Parlour has been offering simple hints and tips to help people improve their game. Go to Indesit's Facebook page to find out more.