Marc Overmars has sent a message to former team-mate Ray Parlor saying he would be happy to help Arsenal. The current situation at his former employer from London would be close to the heart of Ajax’s director of football affairs. Arsenal will not play in Europe this season and have started the Premier League dramatically with three defeats in the first three matches, in which there were also no goals.
Arsenal also spent no less than 147 million this summer on the arrival of new players such as Ben White, Martin Odegaard, Aaron Ramsdale, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares. No club in Europe has even spent that much money on new players so far this summer, but the results are not good for now. “Overmars texted and told me: ‘Oh Ray, I have to return and help the club,'” Parlor, a former midfielder from Arsenal, among others, told TALKsport.
Not only manager Mikel Arteta is under pressure: technical director Edu, also a former player of Arsenal, is being scrutinized by supporters and media. The Londoners’ board has reportedly given Arteta until October to get things back on track. “The role of technical director is very important and they went for Edu. Bringing in new players is an important task for any club. I don’t know what his relationship with Arteta is, I have no contact with them.”
“I know Edu as a player and he played for winning teams. He probably knows what Arsenal need, but it’s more whether you can convince a player or not. If you don’t play in Europe, how can you convince players?” Parlor asked openly when he was asked a question about Edu. “Everyone wants to play in the Champions League or the Europa League. It is very difficult. You will have to pay more than the usual price and they probably did that with a few players.”
Overmars has been part of the management of Ajax since 2012. Before that, he was commissioner of football affairs at Go Ahead Eagles and technique trainer at the team from Amsterdam. More than two years ago, he signed a contract with Ajax until mid-2024. Overmars has been associated with Arsenal for years, but also another ex-employer, Barcelona.
Overmars suppressed a possible departure of himself four months ago. “I will also have the necessary conversations with the club in the coming weeks, but for me it is not all that exciting. So I expect everything to be okay.”