Ray Parlour: Arsenal are too big a club for Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe to replace Arsene Wenger
Former Gooner Ray Parlour thinks Eddie Howe is not ready for the Emirates hot seat if Frenchman departs
ARSENAL are too big for Eddie Howe at this stage of his managerial career, according to club legend Ray Parlour.
The former Gunners man believes it is far to early for the 38-year-old to be considered the man to replace Arsene Wenger at the Emirates if he chooses to leave.
Howe lead Bournemouth to the English top flight for the first time in their history last season, and finished 16th in the Premier League.
Parlour, who worked under Wenger for eight years at Highbury and won three Premier League titles, believes Howe needs more experience at the highest level before moving on to manage one of the big boys.
Parlour told Goals on Sunday: "He has certainly done a great job, but I just think it maybe a little bit too big for him at this time in his career.
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"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."
Wenger current deal at the Emirates expires in the summer and if he were to walk away at the end of the season, Parlour believes current Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone could be a good choice to succeed Wenger.
Parlour said: "Certainly in a few years' time, maybe he [Howe] will be a good fit, but at this current time maybe a [Diego] Simeone might be more suited to Arsenal when Arsene Wenger does call it a day."