Source: Daily_Mail
Cesc Fabregas saga won't disrupt Arsenal's bid for glory, insists Gunners hero Ray Parlour
Ray Parlour has backed Arsenal to remain a force in the Barclays Premier League despite the club's tug of war with Barcelona for Cesc Fabregas.[LNB]With Liverpool looking to bounce back, plus Tottenham and Manchester City emerging as Champions League contenders, the Gunners' place in England's elite looks as insecure as ever.[LNB] Happy to stay? Fabregas (left) returned to Arsenal this week[LNB]Captain Fabregas has reluctantly given up hope of joining former club Barcelona this summer, but has nonetheless been seriously disrupted by the saga.[LNB]However, Parlour has seen it all before and is confident the dressing room won't be affected at the Emirates Stadium.[LNB]High hopes: Parlour believes Chamakh (left) and Wilshere have big futures at Arsenal[LNB]'I remember we had the same thing with Patrick Vieira,' he said. 'Every other season he was linked with a move away, but as players you just knuckle down and focus on getting yourself ready for the season. Itnever had a direct affect on us.'[LNB] The former England international still thinks his old side need to strengthen for a full title assault, but backed them to still be among the top dogs come May.[LNB]'They still need to make one or two signings to challenge for the title, but I have played under Arsene Wenger and he knows what he is doing. [LNB]'Come the end of the season they should still be up there.'[LNB]Parlour has high hopes for 18-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere, who will get a shot at first-team football following a loan spell at Bolton last season.[LNB]'I rate him highly,' said Parlour. 'He has improved over the last season. It's been tough for him to break in to the first team but his loan move to Bolton has made him a better player as he has had to scrap and work hard for results there.[LNB] Hero: Parlour celebrates scoring against Chelsea in the 2002 FA Cup final[LNB]'He has learned a lot. Wenger could use him much more this season and he can go on to do great things for Arsenal and England.'[LNB]Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh, a physically imposing free signing from Bordeaux, has also caught Parlour's eye in pre-season.[LNB]'He has looked sharp and took his goal well against AC Milan in the Emirates Cup,' said the 37-year-old. 'He looks to have everything you need to survive in the Premier League and hopefully he can prove it'.[LNB] FORMER Arsenal star Ray Parlour took part in the Betfair Five Horse Race at Kempton Park Racecourse to highlight that for the first time in Betfair's history there are five teams at 15-1 or shorter to win the Premier League.Betfair punters now officially consider the League to be fought for by a BIG FIVE rather than the BIG FOUR of recent years.[LNB]For all the latest action from the day visit www.betfairfootball.com Cesc Fabregas: I'm staying! Arsenal captain breaks silence to confirm he won't quit for BarcelonaSign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabsCesc agony! Arsenal captain Fabregas let down by Barca over transfer tussleLeo's London: More fool Fabio if Capello takes England gamble on kid WilshereARSENAL FC
