Ray Parlour: Winning a league is rarely about perfection

Ray Parlour of Arsenal celebrates in 2001. Pic: Shaun Botterill /Allsport

Ray Parlour knows better than most that winning a Premier League title is rarely about perfection.

The former Arsenal midfielder, a key member of the Invincibles side that went unbeaten in 2003-04, the last time they won the league, is relaxed about criticism of Mikel Arteta’s team.

Despite winning only three of their last six league matches and slipping to fifth in the form table, Arsenal still lead the title race by two points, a position Parlour believes justifies their status as favourites.

“People forget quickly,” Parlour says. “When we were winning titles, we didn’t play well every week. Sometimes you grind it out. Against Wolves, on Saturday night, it wasn’t a great performance, but they got the win and that’s what matters.” 

Arsenal head to Everton this weekend knowing they will be tested. Parlour expects a hostile environment. “Everton will raise their game,” he says. “That’s where you’ve got to show a bit of mettle and sometimes nick a result.”

For all the focus on Arsenal’s recent stumbles, Parlour is clear about the main threat. 

“Manchester City are always the ones to beat,” he says.

“They’re clicking into form — Phil Foden’s scoring, Erling Haaland is a machine — but Arsenal are still two points clear and deserve to be favourites.”

Others remain in contention. Aston Villa’s progress has impressed Parlour, while Chelsea and Liverpool are capable of strong runs.

“Villa have been brilliant,” he says. “But for me it still comes down to Arsenal and City.”

Arteta has been frustrated by Arsenal’s tendency to drop deep and concede late. Parlour understands why. “To see games out, you’ve got to play in the other half,” he says. “Turn full-backs, put the ball in the corner, win throw-ins. Sometimes you don’t need to play out from the back. David Raya can put it on Bukayo Saka’s head, you win the second ball and you’re away from danger. It might not be pretty, but if you’re 2-1 up, who cares?”

Much of the noise has focused on Viktor Gyökeres, the summer signing still adapting. Parlour is firmly in his corner. “He’s made a big step up,” he says. “The pressure is totally different, and the league is tougher. I like his work-rate. He just needs goals to build confidence. Understanding with teammates takes time, especially when you can’t train properly with three games a week.”

Parlour points to history. “Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Robert Pires — they’re legends now, but none of them started flying. Once it clicked, there was no stopping them. Gyökeres deserves that patience.”

Arteta now has alternatives. Kai Havertz is back, Gabriel Jesus is fit, Mikel Merino can contribute higher up, and Leandro Trossard offers flexibility. “There’s less pressure on one player now,” Parlour says.

Injuries remain Arsenal’s biggest concern. “I’ve never seen an injury list like it,” Parlour admits. “Ben White’s late hamstring is cruel after all his work to get back. Losing defenders like Gabriel and Saliba tests any squad.”

That raises questions about January spending, but Parlour is unconvinced.

“After the summer they’ve had, I’d be amazed if they spend big. The squad is strong enough.

“What I expect is a title race with twists,” Parlour adds. “It won’t be smooth. It never is. But sometimes winning the league isn’t about being brilliant, it’s about finding a way.”