Ray Parlour blasts Arsenal after Stoke, “When are they going to learn?”
Written by Jeffrey on May 10, 2011 4:30
Like many Arsenal fans, former midfielder Ray Parlour simply cannot understand why the Gunners are yet to learn how to properly defend from set-pieces.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the Englishman admitted Arsenal is an amazing team to watch as they possess flair and ability but they simple fail in basic tasks like defending set pieces as against Bolton Wanderers and Stoke City on Sunday they conceded goals that could have been easily avoided.
Asked if this problem was tackled when he was playing, the 38-year old revealed that players used to do it on the training ground as it’s just a matter of picking a player and make sure stay with him.
Parlour concluded by saying that yet again, Arsenal will archive their season as a disappointing and frustrating one as they simply failed to step it up a gear in the last part of the season.
After the Stoke defeat, he said:
When are they going to learn that they can’t go to places like Stoke and give things away. It’s a tough game.
It’s amazing to watch this Arsenal side, they’ve got so much flair and ability but just simple things they get wrong.
Set-pieces have been a nightmare. Look at Bolton – two goals [conceded from set-pieces], another one today.
And we used to do it on the training ground, we did practice set plays. Sometimes you’ve got to look at the players and say responsibility. ‘This is your man, if he scores it’s your fault!’ That’s how you’ve got to do it for me, that is how you do it on the training ground.
Frustrated is the word [to sum this season up]. I think there was a great opportunity this year to win [the title]. They were in a great position and suddenly they haven’t got the final push.
Every single game is a cup final. Last week was a cup final against Manchester United and they performed and won the game.
This week’s another cup final for them but they haven’t turned up again and that’s the problem they’ve got. The last ten games you’ve got to win every game, simple as that.



Arsenal News 24/7



I think more time on the training ground and the off season should focus exclusively on communicato, organisation, decision making and set pieces in defence. Could make a big difference to our season.
Djouro, Koscielny and Vermaelen are all still learning the job so we have to expect this but it is a huge weakness to our squad.
We have really missed Vermaelen in that area. I think Cahill would be ideal. But organisation and nerves cost us so badly. We need a new CB or DM to really boss the box and midfield.