RAY PARLOUR: It's always scapegoat Wenger's fault, but he's had no money... this could be the end of Arsenal's barren spell

Published: 02:30 EST, 7 February 2014 | Updated: 19:49 EST, 7 February 2014

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour assesses his former club's title chances as they enter a crucial period of the season. Arsenal travel to Liverpool on Saturday before they face Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Manchester City in the coming weeks. Parlour looks back on his time at the club and assesses Arsene Wenger's chances of ending the Gunners' trophy drought.  

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I’m really looking forward to Arsenal’s trip to Liverpool. It should be a super game and at the start of what could be a season-defining month for the Gunners. My first memory of playing there isn’t the best though.

Anfield is always a tough place to go - I made my debut there in 1992. I gave a penalty away! It's nerve-wracking and you'd always rather a home game. It was on a Tuesday night. The trip up to Merseyside was a long one.

You're obviously really nervous after being used to playing in front of 200 or so and suddenly you've got to perform in front of 40,000. Down that tunnel I remember thinking this was my dream come true - my first-ever game after coming through the ranks.

In top form: Arsenal travel to Anfield to face Liverpool as the top side in the Premier League

'You'll Never Walk Alone' is ringing in your ears. That anthem is amazing. I gave the penalty away and we ended up getting beaten 2-0, but I didn't have a bad game. I was playing alongside David Rocastle. He was a terrific man to play with. He helped all the youngsters, and then obviously I had my mate Tony Adams behind me.

I ran around a lot that night! Adrenaline keeps you going and then I've gone and given that pen away in the 44th minute. Not ideal. Ray Houghton took it and Jan Molby was playing in midfield. He was a top player. Never moved but you couldn't get near him. He just passed around you. 

I went into the dressing room at half-time thinking George Graham was about to give me a right hammering. But he was as good as gold. 'Keep working' was the message. It was a big decision for him to throw me in, but that's what you hope for as a kid. I was doing well in the reserves and they had a few injuries.

That's your road to becoming a professional footballer.

I would settle for a point now. I'm sure Arsene Wenger would as well. They beat Brendan Rodgers' side at the Emirates, so they know what they're capable of. But Liverpool are having a great season. Reaching the top four is vital for them.

It's going to be tricky with the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez. They are so fired up at the moment and are playing so well. Steven Gerrard sitting a little deeper presents different problems.

Critics have just been waiting for Arsenal to tail away this season. That's what has happened in recent years. They're a little bit more solid this time though. Defensively with Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny they've been superb. That has to be the best pairing in the league. You could maybe say John Terry and Gary Cahill but other than that the Arsenal two have been superb. Steve Bould will have something to do with that.

Everybody is waiting for the slip-up. This is now a big month for Arsenal. Four tricky games, including Manchester United and Bayern Munich. I know United aren't playing brilliantly at the moment but they always seem to up it against Arsenal.

I'm hoping they can stay the distance this year and still be in with a chance with five or six games left.

The early days: Parlour made his debut for Arsenal back in 1992 under George Graham

They're capable of beating Bayern - they have the ability. But it's the case that they've got to be at their top level. Every game is genuinely a cup final. You go into every game needing three points in order to keep the pressure on Manchester City and Chelsea. If you looked at their benches on Monday night it just goes to show how strong those clubs are. The squads are much bigger with more depth.

Chelsea have plenty of experience at winning trophies - City have been there and done it. That's the problem for Arsenal. It's about grinding out results.

We weren't great every game when we went unbeaten. Sometimes we were really poor and should've lost a number of times, but we didn’t. Over the last seven years when Arsenal have played poorly, they’ve lost. They've got more about them this time though.

Tough run: Arsene Wenger has guided Arsenal to the top of the Premier League with 14 games to go

I understand why supporters are frustrated at the lack of trophies, but there has been an awful lot going on inside the club during that time. I know for a fact Arsene didn't have a lot of money to spend. It all went into the stadium, trying to pay it off as quickly as they can.

Now they've got themselves into a good position. Arsene always looks at how the club is going to be in 15 years’ time. He knew that might affect his budget in the market, but he's done ever so well.

I might be biased because he was a fantastic manager for me. A really good guy on and off the pitch. He's trying to succeed so hopefully this is the year he can pick up a trophy.

Double delight: Parlour won the League and FA Cup with Arsenal in 2001-02

The trophy years: Parlour enjoyed winning silverware during his years but they have not done that since 2005

Everybody needs to win something - especially if you're at the top end. We had a very successful time from 1997 to 2005 and then it's been a drought - there's no doubt about that.

I’m not going to lie - the hope was to get a forward in this January. Olivier Giroud needed to be put under pressure. It's all about him now. Can he stay fit? Can he stay the distance? They'll be wrapping him in cotton wool after every game.

Missing out: Arsenal were linked with, but failed to sign, Schalke's Julian Draxler in January

Big summer signing: Mesut Ozil was a £42.5m signing for Arsenal in August

Julian Draxler was mentioned heavily last month and would have been a good signing, but it never happened. Perhaps that is something the manager can pursue in the summer.

Spending £37million on the player would have been a huge statement of intent, but Wenger has gone out and signed Mesut Ozil for a similar amount. He isn't scared to do it. If he thinks something is a good deal for the club he'll go and do the business.

Arsene has always been like that. He acts like it's his own money. I reckon he'll be back in for Draxler.

All aboard: Parlour will travel to Anfield on a Barclays bus at the weekend

People hype the transfer window up. Nine or 10 clubs didn't buy anybody. It isn't guaranteed that the players coming in will hit the ground running. That's why they like getting deals done in the summer. January is a definite gamble.

Some supporters expect success, but they don't get to see what's going on behind the scenes. They're seeing Arsene Wenger as the scapegoat, but the board wanted to pay that stadium off. It will be interesting to hear the views of the away fans when I join them on the Barclays Buses up to Liverpool.

Arsene can handle pressure and people having a go at him. The board know that. He could've said that he had no money to spend but he is a very loyal man. Sometimes as a manager you have to take a bit of flak and he's always been willing to do that. Arsene Wenger loves Arsenal. 

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