Former Arsenal star, Ray Parlour, has warned the club not to consider signing Cristiano Ronaldo in the January transfer window.
Ronaldo is currently a free agent after his Manchester United contract was terminated.
In a chat with SportsLens, Parlour noted that the Portuguese international does not work hard enough to fit the Gunners’ system.
The former England international stated this on the backdrop of Gabriel Jesus’ injury and the need for the team to sign a quality striker capable of keeping their Premier League title hopes alive.
”I wasn’t in favour of bringing Ronaldo in, certainly not before Jesus got injured. Because he won’t want to be sitting on the bench again. I just don’t think he’ll work hard enough. I know he scores the goals but Ronaldo won’t bring the energy of Jesus by any means.
“He still is a very good player but will he fit into Arsenal’s system the way they play now? I don’t see it. I’d be amazed if it happens. But if it did then you’d have to just get behind it as an Arsenal fan and back the team.”
Options in January
With another growing interest on Brentford striker, Ivan Toney. who has consistently shown great goal scoring quality, Parlour advised the Gunners to make a move for the striker.
“The problem you’re going to have in January is who’s available? I’ve always said Ivan Toney of Brentford. I’d go and try to get him if I could. I don’t think you’ll get him in this window but he’s who I’d go for. I think he’s similar to Ian Wright the way he plays and scores his goals. Marcus Thuram at Borussia Mönchengladbach could be available because his contract is up at the end of the year.
“Edu went to see the Arsenal owners last week. And I’m sure he would’ve mentioned the situation and said we might need to bolster our attacking options. It’s such a shame because although Jesus wasn’t banging goals in, he was creating so much. I heard it was only three weeks initially but now it’s seemingly three months which is obviously a much bigger issue.
