Ray Parlour has spoken about the immense relief felt after Arsenal finally ended their 22-year wait for a Premier League title. The former midfielder, part of the famous 2004 Invincibles squad, admitted he would have thought anyone predicting such a long drought was 'mad'. His comments were reported by sports.yahoo.com this week as the current Arsenal side, sitting second in the league with six points from two wins, prepare for a major home clash.
What did Ray Parlour say about the title drought?
Parlour was a key figure in Arsenal's last title win before last season, which came in the 2003/04 campaign. Looking back, he expressed sheer disbelief at the length of the subsequent wait. "It was a big relief, because if you'd said to me 22 years ago, back in 2004, that they weren't going to win it again for such a long time, I'd have said you were mad," Parlour said. He added that he was "so over the moon that they'd done it" when the title was finally secured last season. This period saw the club finish second for three consecutive seasons before breaking through, alongside 11 top-four finishes since 2004.
How has the club's structure contributed to success?
The former Arsenal player was quick to credit the current regime for building a title-winning side. He specifically praised the club's owners and backroom staff for their role in the recent triumph. A significant part of that structure is manager Mikel Arteta, who the club retained despite several near-misses in the seasons leading up to the championship. This stability and long-term planning, according to Parlour's assessment, provided the foundation required to end the long trophy drought in the league.
What is Arsenal's current situation?
As of 03 September 2026, Arsenal's title defence has begun strongly. They are second in the Premier League table with a perfect record of two wins from two games, scoring four goals and conceding none. You can track their progress on our standings page. However, the squad is navigating some injury concerns, with defenders Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, and Cristhian Mosquera currently sidelined. The latest team news is always available on our injuries section.
What is next for the team?
The immediate focus shifts to a important early-season fixture. Arsenal host rivals Chelsea at home on 06 September 2026. Chelsea currently sit fourth in the table, making this a high-stakes encounter that could shape the early title race. Fans can find details for this and all upcoming matches on the club's fixtures schedule. The team will be aiming to maintain their 100% start and positive goal difference in this significant London derby.
