Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus struggled to make an impact against Southampton (Picture: Getty)
Ray Parlour believes Mikel Arteta will avoid the sack even if Arsenal fail to win a single trophy this season but has implored the Gunners’ boss to oversee a major clear-out in the summer.
Defeat at Southampton on Saturday represented a major shock to the system and means the north London club’s hopes of winning silveware now hinge fending of Manchester City’s Premier League challenge or claiming a first ever Champions League crown.
After so many nears misses over the last few years, the doubts have begun to creep in again about the mental fortitude of a squad which still has it all to prove.
Arteta will hope his stuttering side can get back on track against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday before a crucial game against Bournemouth this weekend which offers the chance to open up, temporarily at least, a 12-point gap.
Anything but three points against the Cherries would provide City with further impetus and with blood already in the water they are unlikely to need any second invitation.
With the games coming thick and fast, Arteta will likely need to rotate his squad and provide further opportunities to the players who let him down at St Mary’s.
Ben White struggled at right-back and was at fault for Southampton’s opening goal, while Myles Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel Jesus and Christian Norgaard all looked short of fitness and form.
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Ben White struggled badly against Southampton (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal’s squad underwent major surgery last summer and they will have to sell players in the close season if they hope to make further improvements and Parlour believes getting rid of the deadwood represents a priority task.
The Arsenal legend told talkSPORT: ‘There’s going to be a lot of work done in the summer because there’s a lot of deadwood there. He needs to get rid of quite a few players if I’m being honest.’
An FA Cup triumph back in 2020 represents the only major trophy won by Arsenal under Arteta’s management, but even if they miss out again Parlour believes the Spaniard will remain at the helm.
He added: ‘I don’t think he’d lose his job. Who would you bring in. I’m looking at it realistically, who could you bring in for Arteta who could do a similar job.
Myles Lewis-Skelly failed to take his opportunity against Southampton (Picture: Getty)
‘I don’t know there’s many managers out there. Alonso I could imagine him going to Liverpool so who else is out there. Luis Enrique would he go and leave PSG?
‘I can’t see a better manager who could do a better job. They’ve got the faith in him.
‘Zidane could he do it in the Premier League? Arteta it’s how you lose it sometimes as well.
‘There’s a long way to go but I really believe he’ll be there next season even if they don’t win anything. It’s a big decision they have to make but I believe they look at it and say who is out there?
‘They will look at other clubs as well and say how many times do they change managers? You can have a big name and it might not work still.’
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