Previous Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlor says a FA Cup title could offer some required happiness for the Gunners after a difficult season in the Premier League.
Regardless of Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Liverpool, Arsenal get themselves ninth in the Premier League and will pass up UEFA Champions League football next season.
Their last possibility for silverware this season comes in the FA Cup, where they face Manchester City in Saturday’s semifinal match.
The Gunners have a decent history in the competition having claimed a record 13 titles, and Parlor – who won four FA Cups – says the idea of the knockout competition implies his previous club have a potential for success.
“It’s a one-off game — 90 minutes,” he said on The John Dykes Show. “We know Man City will be going for it because Pep Guardiola has got a great record in it as well.
“Man City in the cup — it’s going to be difficult but this is such a massive game for Arsenal and they’ve done it before.”
The Gunners have needed to beat numerous obstacles this season, including the excusal of previous director Unai Emery in November after they went seven games without a triumph.
Parlor says Mikel Arteta has improved the circumstance – in spite of the fact that it is not yet clear if the Gunners will spend during the transfer window and whether they will have the drawing power without top-level continental football next season.
“We do need better players,” added Parlour, who won three Premier League titles with Arsenal. “We need players to come in and we know that everybody wants to play in the Champions League. If Arsenal are not there, it’s going to be a little bit more difficult.
Be that as it may, as per Parlor Arsenal’s appeal lies in its history, location and the opportunity to recover a battling side.
“Also, it’s an opportunity for a player to come in and really turn it around for the club,” Parlour said. “If you get two really good players in and really start building the team around certain players, then I can see them getting back into the top four.”
