Ex-Arsenal player believes Frenchman is new Gilberto Silva
Arsene Wènger has been urged to pay the £25million asking price to capture the ‘perfect’ signing in Parlour’ eyes.
There was a lot of speculation surrounding the French international last summer but the Saints rejected his transfer request.
Schneiderlin who was signed from Strasbourg some seven years ago is believed to be a target of fellow premier league sides Liverpool and Chelsea.
Ray Parlour said: “He always wants the ball even if there are players around him, he’s not scared to take the ball – which is great if you’re a centre-half.
“Defensively, he is tactically very good. When the ball goes wide you can see him dropping into the back two to make a three. So when balls are going in there’s an extra defender there – Gilberto Silva did that during the unbeaten season.
The rise of Francis Coquelin
There have been contrasting reports which suggest the Gunners have cooled their interest in the midfielder after the emergence of Francis Coquelin in recent weeks.
Scneiderlin has made the most tackles at Southampton (76) which is 27 more than Coquelin but the younger Frenchman has turned out for Arsenal 17 less times and yet sits top of Arsenal’s chart.
Despite the £20million plus price tag, the Saint’s midfielder represents better value for money perhaps than his compatriot, Paul Pogba who is expected to fetch around £75 million when he leaves Turin.
