Ray Parlour says former club Arsenal will challenge for the Premiership title again - but not this season. The Gunners, who lost 2-1 to West Brom on Saturday, are 14 points behind Chelsea, albeit with a game in hand.
Parlour, now at Middlesbrough, told BBC Sport: "Chelsea are just too good at the moment.
"But next season you will see a big change again. Arsene Wenger is a fantastic manager - he knows what he is doing and I'm sure he has got a plan."
Parlour, who spent 13 years with the Gunners before joining Boro in 2004, said: "Arsenal are going through a transition period. They got rid of Patrick Vieira and haven't really replaced him."
But he added: "They have been a bit unlucky. When we played them we won 2-1 but could have been 3-0 down inside 10 minutes.
 |  It is very important to keep hold of Thierry Henry |
"I'm sure Arsene will get it right. I've never played under a better manager than Arsene and it doesn't make you a bad manager overnight if you have a few bad results.
"Wenger is one of the greatest managers in Premiership history and knows what he needs, whether the youngsters at the club are good enough.
"He is very shrewd - look at his buys. He bought Thierry Henry for �10.5m after selling Nicolas Anelka for �23m and he was able to build a new training ground with the money as well. That's not a bad bit of business.
"This year might be a case of just getting through the season, but the next campaign might be a big year for the club."
Parlour, who made more than 300 appearances for the Gunners, is adamant that keeping hold of star striker Thierry Henry is crucial following the loss of Vieira.
The France striker's future has been the subject of intense speculation but Parlour thinks there are several factors working in Arsenal's favour.
"It is very important to keep hold of Thierry," said Parlour, who was talking ahead of his appearance at the 888.com UK Poker Open.
"He is a very important part of the team who has been at the club for a long time, six or seven years.
"He was made captain this year, which I'm sure he is privileged to be and is married to a London girl - that might swing it a bit."
MMIX
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Match of the Day - Post-match interviews 