Ray Parlour: 'Eddie Howe not yet ready to manage Arsenal'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 11 September 2016

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes that Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is not yet ready to manage Arsenal, suggesting that he should go to a top-six club like Everton first.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is not ready to manage Arsenal yet, according to former Gunners midfielder Ray Parlour.

Howe guided the Cherries into the Premier League for the first time in their history last season before recording a 16th-place finish in the top flight.

After Bournemouth secured the loan move of Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere this summer, speculation arose linking Howe to the North London club's hotseat after Arsene Wenger retires.

"He has certainly done a great job [at Bournemouth], but I just think it maybe a little bit too big for him at this time of his career," Parlour told Sky Sports News.

"I think he has to go to the next level after Bournemouth, maybe like an Everton, or someone like that who is going to be challenging for the top six.

"And then maybe move to the top four level, but Eddie has done nothing wrong and he is learning the game still and about players and systems and the way to play."

Howe, 38, has been at Bournemouth for most of his managerial career, save for a short spell at Burnley.