Arsenal: £150 Million Ray Parlour Is Depressingly Ambitious

Ray Parlour has stated that Arsenal must spend £150 million if they are to challenge for the Premier League title. That is a depressingly ambitious figure.

Significant change is needed at Arsenal. That is a statement that, whether you are ‘Wenger In’ or ‘Wenger Out’, you should agree with. The nature of this change is a more complicated and detailed question, one that is yet to be answered and one that will have long-lasting ramifications in the future.

Related Story: Potential Starting XI Under Thomas Tuchel

To answer it astutely and wisely, blame must be apportioned. Should, as an ever-growing majority suggest, Arsene Wenger shoulder much of the responsibility for the repeated, annual struggles of the club at the final hurdle? Should Silent Stan and the owners bear a great share of the blame? Or is the fault of the players, who are letting down their manager, their club and the fans with lethargic display after lethargic display?

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

There is likely no right answer. Or rather, the answer is likely yes, to all three. But it is not possible to enact deep and significant infrastructure change at the club, from the playing personnel all the way to the board, the directors, the training staff and the manager, without suffering a number of years of backsliding, something that, given the growing competitive nature of the Premier League, cannot be allowed to happen.

Rather, incremental changes must be made. I believe that the first change that should be made is to the playing squad. Former Gooner Ray Parlour also suggests that that may be the best course of action, stating in an interview with Sky Sports that he feels his former club need to spend £150 million in overhauling the squad this summer if they are wanting to challenge for the Premier League title next year:

"“The huge decision Arsenal have got to make is the investment next season. They need to spend probably £150m plus if you’re going to try and compete with Chelsea, City, United and are the board going to do that? That’s the big question.”"

The £150 million figure that Parlour states, though, is depressingly ambitious. Arsenal need far more investment than one or two good players. They need a world-class defensive midfielder, they need a top quality left-back and at least one upper echelon attacker, more if Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez leave, as is expected.

Next: Arsenal: 10 Reasons Arsene Wenger Extension Makes Sense

It is a depressing truth but this is how far away this current squad of players are from winning the league. Many would argue that another manager should be trusted with such significant investments. I still believe that Wenger is deserving of the chance. But whatever you feel about the manager, that does not negate the need for an overhaul of the playing staff.