Parlour: This Arsenal team best since Invincibles

Arsenal have built their best team in 10 years ahead of the new season, claims former midfielder Ray Parlour.

And Parlour, who was part of the club’s Invincibles side during the 2003-04 season, believes the addition of Cech allied to the talent already at Arsenal means this is their best chance of being crowned English champions in over a decade – providing injuries don’t take their toll throughout the campaign.

“It’s definitely the best squad since ‘The Invincibles.’ They need to steer clear of injuries”.

The next few weeks are important for any club in terms of the transfer window, because the closer the deadline becomes, the more power selling clubs have. Everyone has to be pulling in the same direction.

I am very happy there and I want to continue taking advantage of the opportunity to be in one of the best teams in the world. His eight clean sheets in 18 outings helped them clinch third place in the Premier League, while Szczesny helped them lift a second successive FA Cup.

Szczesny’s departure makes it all the more important that Ospina has opted to remain with the club as a backup to Cech, with two ‘keepers leaving at once sure to be a big blow for Arsenal had it happened. That shows you how consistent you are throughout the season.

Schneiderlin was eventually picked up by Manchester United, who along with Bastian Schweinsteiger have a brilliant base to their midfield, something Arsenal would have benefited from this season. He’ll be involved in the dressing room, helping the youngsters, helping people who have not gone as far as Chelsea when he played for them.

“I think it’s a massive signing”.

“I was hoping that they’d get Morgan Schneiderlin”, he told the Mirror. I’m relatively young for a goalkeeper as I’m only 33 years old. I watched him at St Mary’s against Chelsea which is always a good test, to put him against the best. Not really seen a lot of Gabriel yet.