Arsenal have been told by Ray Parlour that securing a replacement for the injured Gabriel Jesus in January will be very important to in order to keep their Premier League title chase alive. Despite his immediate availability, Parlour does not think the Gunners should sign Cristiano Ronaldo following the termination of his Manchester United contract by mutual consent, saying the superstar does not work hard enough to fit the Gunners' system.
The January transfer window is fast approaching and any plans set in place by Edu and Mikel Arteta may have been altered because of the injury suffered at the World Cup by Jesus. Mykhaylo Mudryk and Cody Gakpo seem to be the main candidates who could arrive in January, while Parlour hopes that the Gunners make a move for another player they have registered some interest in.
Speaking to SportsLens, Parlour said: "I know Marcus Thuram at Borussia Monchengladbach could be available because his contract is up at the end of the year. I do know Edu was looking for a winger/forward when I spoke to him in pre-season. He wanted a winger who could go past someone and offer something a bit different to what they’ve got now."
READ MORE: Mudryk, Thuram, Gakpo - Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus replacements after Edu and Stan Kroenke meeting
One forward who certainly seems to be available with a keen interest on remaining in Europe is Ronaldo, but Parlour explains how he doesn't think the 37-year-old would fit Arsenal's system.
Parlour said: "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."
Far more seemingly settled players move in the summer as opposed to January because the window is right in the middle of the season and it can be difficult to adapt. Arsenal would likely have to look outside of England for any new arrivals, but Parlour thinks they should try and sign Brentford star Ivan Toney.
"The problem you’re going to have in January is who’s available? I’ve always said Ivan Toney of Brentford," he added. "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."
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