MX23RW : Thursday, September 26 16:44:20| >> :600:262426:262426:
Sep 24, 2019 at 8pm UK at ​Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 53,160
Arsenal
5-0
Nott'm ForestNottingham Forest
Martinelli (31', 92'), Holding (71'), Willock (77'), Nelson (84')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Ray Parlour urges Arsenal to go for EFL Cup glory

Ray Parlour urges Arsenal to go for EFL Cup glory
© Reuters
The Premier League side host Championship outfit Nottingham Forest in the third round on Tuesday night.

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes the Gunners should set their sights on winning the Carabao Cup this season.

The competition often rates far down the list of priorities for Premier League clubs, especially those who are also part of European tournaments.

Arsenal have ambitions of finishing in the top four for the first time since 2016 and will be looking to go one step further in the Europa League, having lost to London rivals Chelsea in last year's final.

Parlour won nine major trophies during his time at Arsenal.
Parlour won nine major trophies during his time at Arsenal (John GIles/PA)

They host Sky Bet Championship promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest in the third round on Tuesday night as they start their Carabao Cup campaign at the Emirates Stadium.

But Parlour, who won the competition with Arsenal in 1993, feels that if head coach Unai Emery can find the right balancing act then the two-time winners can lift the trophy once again.

"I think he mixed the team with experience and youngsters," Parlour said of Arsenal's run to the quarter-finals in last season's Carabao Cup – where they were beaten by neighbours Tottenham.

"There is no problem with that, it is good to give the youngsters game time and they have some very good youngsters at Arsenal – Reiss Nelson, (Ainsley) Maitland-Niles, Joe Willock and Emile Smith Rowe. It is great to see players like that come into the team.

"But you can also see how important the competition is to teams like Manchester City and it is another trophy to talk about at the end of the season.

"It is a magnificent achievement to win any competition and for Arsenal and Unai Emery, and the rest of the top six, they should be – and probably will be – taking it seriously.

"There are a lot of games and you get injuries through the season so it is a bit about balancing the squad."

Arsenal lost the final to Manchester City in 2018, Arsene Wenger's final season at the helm, and now Parlour – speaking to the PA news agency at the launch of this season's Carabao Cup competition – thinks it presents Emery with a good opportunity for his first silverware since replacing the Frenchman.

Arsene Wenger's final visit to Wembley as Arsenal boss was a 3-0 Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
Arsene Wenger's final visit to Wembley as Arsenal boss was a 3-0 Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City (Joe Giddens/PA)

"The big teams have got bigger squads but it still baffles me when you get to the latter stages of any cup competition and rest players," he added.

"Arsenal fans would embrace another day out at Wembley and have a good time, as well as challenging to win the trophy – something Arsenal will be wanting to do, I'm sure.

"If you ask any fan around the country and say 'do you want a Wembley day out to go for a cup and win a trophy' they would say 'yes, definitely'.

The likes of midfielder Emile Smith Rowe will be keen for another chance to impress Emery.
The likes of midfielder Emile Smith Rowe will be keen for another chance to impress Emery (Nick Potts/PA)

"I'm really surprised sometimes when teams rest players. It was the first ever trophy I won as a player and I really enjoyed it and now Emery could make it his first title in England as well."

In truth, Emery is likely to make wholesale changes with the game coming just over 48 hours on from a 3-2 Premier League win over Aston Villa.

Rob Holding will be pushing for his first involvement since December after overcoming a knee injury, while Emery's youngsters could also get another chance to shine.

body check tags ::

Click here for more stories about Ray Parlour

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Instagram - Follow Sports Mole
Sabri Lamouchi in charge of Nottingham Forest on August 3, 2019
Read Next:
Sabri Lamouchi admits Nottingham Forest "suffered" in Barnsley win
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
/esi/758/0/index.html - esi:0:site:0:-p-: {0}: - :T758:-: {0}: < ! - - T  758 {0} - - >  : 
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool66001751218
2Manchester CityMan City64112461813
3Leicester CityLeicester632185311
4Arsenal63211110111
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham632187111
6Bournemouth63121110110
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs622212848
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd62228628
9Burnley62228718
10Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd62227618
11Chelsea62221213-18
12Crystal Palace622247-38
13Southampton621369-37
14Everton621359-47
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton613258-36
16Norwich CityNorwich6204914-56
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle612348-45
18Aston Villa611469-34
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves6042711-44
20Watford6024418-142

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account