Wenger to keep teen starlet at Arsenal

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Ibowi capped an impressive performance with a goal in Arsenal’s 6-0 win over Lyon in the Emirates Cup over the weekend, and the 19-year-old now looks set to be involved with the first-team squad this season.

“Some players might go out on loan but at the moment Alex Iwobi will stay with us,” Wenger said.

“But for the other young players I have to decide if they need an experience somewhere to play for a first team on a regular basis to finish their education.

“It’s always difficult to decide that because if they go out then don’t play, they waste their time because here they practice with top-level players. So that’s always very sensitive.”

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour, meanwhile, believes the current Gunners team is the best in over 10 years.

“It’s definitely the best squad since the Invincibles,” Parlour told the Daily Mirror. “They need to steer clear of injuries. Last season, if the injury list was a bit lighter at certain times then they would have been a lot closer (to winning the title).

“The most important thing in any squad is to have the right team spirit and harmony. Everyone has to be pulling in the same direction. You can’t have some not getting on with others, a personal feud or something like that.

“At the moment, it’s the best I’ve seen in terms of team spirit for a long time. I think now, winning the two FA Cups, they believe they can go to the next level which, for me, is winning the league. That’s the most important trophy. That shows you how consistent you are throughout the season.”

Arsenal have so far signed only Petr Cech this summer, and although Parlour believes he represents a major piece of the jigsaw, he would like to see more new arrivals.

“I don’t think you can win the league if you haven’t got a top class goalkeeper,” added Parlour.

“Petr Cech is experienced, has won everything, been involved in massive games which is so important. He’ll be involved in the dressing room, helping the youngsters, helping people who have not gone as far as Chelsea when he played for them.

“He’s a proven keeper and I still think he’s a good age. I look at Van Der Sar, he turned up at Manchester United at 35 years old and you think: ‘can he still do it?’ He was superb for the next three or four seasons.

“I think it’s a massive signing. Maybe they need a few more as well. I was hoping that they’d get Morgan Schneiderlin.

“I would still look at that position and also centre half as well.”