Arsenal legend Ray Parlour warns Gunners the Emirates could turn nasty if they crash to ‘unthinkable’ defeat to Bournemouth
Gunners hero warns Arsene Wenger's stuttering players to show they have the desire to play for the club or the fans may turn on them
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RAY PARLOUR has warned Arsenal's stuttering stars the Emirates will get nasty unless they show they have the heart to play for the club.
The Gunners take on Bournemouth tomorrow desperate to show their fuming fans the humiliating 4-0 defeat to Liverpool was nothing more than a blip.
Anything less than victory will see the disgruntled home supporters venting their anger - and Parlour says defeat is 'unthinkable' because it will prove the players have no backbone.
And with a Europa League clash with Cologne to come next week before a visit to Chelsea, the former Arsenal midfielder says the next eight days will show what Arsene Wenger's team are all about.
Parlour said: "This is such an important game. I know it’s Bournemouth, and only the fourth game of the season.
"But you always look to see how a team can come back and respond from a bad result -if you can come back and put in a good performance and win the game it shows you have got a bit of character in the dressing room.
"But if you lose, that’s unthinkable for Arsenal.
"They have to go out and put a positive performance on and hopefully turn the fans around because if Bournemouth do go there, play well and score the first goal it could be a real dodgy atmosphere there – for the players and everybody."
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Parlour knows supporters are still smarting from the embarrassing display the team put in as they were thrashed at Anfield.
The former England star, speaking to celebrate the launch of Papa John’s new Deep Crust pizza, added: "I know they want to be challenging for the title but I look at the Manchester clubs and they are just too strong.
"The most important thing for Arsenal is just trying to get back into that top four.
"You want to be challenging for the title if you can, but it’s a tough week for them and this is where we see what sort of character they have got in that dressing room.
"I am sure he will rest players for the Europa League game, he has to put a very strong side out against Bournemouth because he needs a result.
"Then they have a tough London derby against Chelsea and this is where the players need to stand up.
"If they go to Chelsea and play like they did against Liverpool, it will be another thumping, another 4-0.
"I don’t think the fans will accept that.
"It’s an interesting week, and by the end of it we will see whether it has been a horrendous week to be an Arsenal fan or a much more positive week."
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