Three-time Premier League winner Ray Parlour has exclusively told NetBet that his old side can still win the Premier League title despite Arsenal being beaten at home by Manchester City on Wednesday night.
Erling Haaland wrapped up a 3-1 victory for the reigning champions, as the Gunners slipped out of the top spot they had occupied for much of the season.
Bukayo Saka’s penalty spot-kick had levelled after Kevin De Bruyne struck first for Manchester City, but goals from Jack Grealish and Haaland secured the three points for Guardiola’s side.
Arsenal have now lost three of their last four matches in all competitions and remain behind City on goal difference, albeit with a game in hand.
But the tough-tackling midfielder who totalled 466 games and 32 goals for Arsenal, winning three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the 1994 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, believes there’s still hope for his former club.
“I know Mikel Arteta will come away disappointed having dropped points the last few of games, but you just have to forget about it and move on quickly,” he tells NetBet.
“Arsenal have two big away games now at Aston Villa and Leicester City and they need to get points on the board because City aren’t going to stop.
“They’re getting their players back to full fitness and it’s going to be a long and tough end to the season, but they’re still in a great position.
“They are effectively joint top and if you would have said they would be at this point in this situation at this stage of the season, you would have bitten their hand off.
“We have got to just keep it going, be positive and believe in ourselves and have a good end to the season and don’t forget, they’ve still got to go to the Etihad.
“You know what Arsenal are like, they can always go and get a result somewhere if they’ve got everyone fit. There’s still hope there.”
Healthy lead has eroded in recent weeks
The Gunners had held an eight-point lead after an impressive run that saw them win 11 Premier League games out of 13 following their first defeat of the season against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
But that healthy advantage has since been eroded as City found their form while Arteta’s side dropped points against Everton and Brentford with Pep Guardiola’s men showing they mean business in the recent clash at the Emirates.
And the reaction of the Arsenal players and fans to that defeat at full-time was one of disappointment with the club failing to win their past three league games as they bid for their first title in almost 20 years.
Though Parlour believes there’s a long way to go in the title race and although City are now in the driving seat, it’s far too early to write off Mikel Arteta’s side just yet.
“Of course they can still win the league, but obviously Manchester City, after that result last Wednesday, will be massive favourites,” he says.
“We’ve got a tricky little run of games in April where we could be out of it if we don’t get enough points, but right now they are very much in it.
“They’re joint on points at the top and with a game in hand. Win it, and we’re three points clear again.
“The lads will obviously be disappointed after losing to their nearest rivals for the title, but you can’t feel sorry for yourself.
“I had it myself, you’d have a nightmare and you wake up wondering if you’ve blown it, but you can’t think like that.
“You’ve got to be on the front foot again and say ‘we’ve lost it, we didn’t play well, but we are a good side and we will get better’.
“Manchester City are big favourites to win it, but Arsenal are still in the title race.”
Arteta has made huge progress
Whatever happens this season, Arsenal fans will be delighted with the progress they have seen under Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard’s job was under intense scrutiny just a year ago as Arsenal opened the 2021/22 season with three straight defeats – leaving them bottom of the Premier League having not even scored a goal – eventually finishing fifth in the table some 24 points behind City.
But since then the former assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City has brought fresh faces to the side and, along with his backroom staff, has completely changed the mood around the club.
The Gunners are chasing their first title since 2004 when the famous “Invincibles” side went through the entire campaign undefeated and Parlour, who is excited by what he’s seen so far, believes the best could be yet to come.
“It’s a very young squad and you expect a few bumps in the road, but what he has done already is brilliant,” he explains.
“The buzz around the stadium is incredible. Even Noel Gallagher came up to me and said ‘Ray, I’ve never heard it like this before at the Emirates.’”
“There’s a big difference this season. The atmosphere is different. The players and fans are connected again.
“I’m sure there will be investment in the summer because now the owners know the job Mikel Arteta can do.
“If he can build and buy the right players in the summer then they will be there or thereabouts, and will be most seasons.”