Exclusive: Ray Parlour says every game is 'must win' for Arsenal

Former Arsenal midfielder says every game is a 'must win' for his old club if they are to retain any hopes of winning the Premier League. 

The Gunners host old rivals Manchester United in a tasty encounter tonight as they bid to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool. 

Mikel Arteta's men currently trail nine points behind the Merseysiders, who also make the trip to Newcastle United this evening. 

Parlour: 'Arsenal can go on a good run'

A significant drop in form to reigning champions Manchester City has left the door open for another club to take aim at the Premier League title, but few predicted it would be Liverpool who boast such a wide lead so early on in the campaign. 

Arne Slot's side have won 18 of their 20 matches in all competitions so far this season, losing just once, leaving them sitting pretty at the summit of both the Premier League and Champions League tables. 

City aren't the only side to have endured a sticky patch so far this term. 

After going unbeaten in their first seven league matches, Arsenal then failed to record a victory in their next four, leaving them with plenty of ground to make up if they are to remain challengers for the title. 

Speaking exclusively to OddsNow via NetBet Online Casino, Parlour insists his old side can ill-afford any more slip-ups but remains confident they can enjoy a positive run of form in the build-up to the Christmas schedule, starting with matches against Manchester United and Fulham this week.

He said: "It’s a case of every game it must win. I fancy Arsenal to go on a good run now as this week we have some tricky fixtures, but with the confidence in the team there is no reason why Arsenal can’t win them both.

"Starting with Manchester United, Arsenal have a strong record at home [against United] and, with a couple of suspensions for United, coupled with Arsenal scoring 10 in our last two games, we can get a good home win."

The side have set themselves up for a positive run, having recorded three consecutive victories on the spin, including a 5-2 drubbing of West Ham at the London Stadium last weekend.

Arsenal raced into a 4-0 lead after 36 minutes, only to allow the Hammers back into the game after conceding twice shortly before half-time.

Winger Bukayo Saka eventually put the game to bed with his side's second penalty of the half in added time, meaning Arsenal have now scored five goals in two matches running following a 5-1 away win at Sporting Lisbon four days earlier. 

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka scored his side's final goal in their victory at West Ham. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Parlour says the results leaves the Gunners in good stead moving forward, while also insisting too much shouldn't be read into the two goals shipped in the dying moments of the first half. 

"Arsenal were excellent against West Ham. Having [Martin] Odegaard back is so important for the team. This back four have now played a few games together and look solid, plus with five different scorers, the confidence is high that Arsenal can look to continue their good run. 

"The short period where West Ham briefly got back in the game is something Arsenal need to be wary of for future games, but a world-class through ball and world class free kick are something you can’t stop."

'Manchester United could be in the mix for a top four spot' 

The visitors head to North London having recorded a comfortable 4-0 home victory over Everton on Sunday afternoon. 

The win saw new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim pickup his first league win at Old Trafford, having also picked up three points at the historic venue in the Europa League three days before. 

United now sit only four points off a place in the top four following the victory, which also saw them climb up to ninth. 

A disappointing eighth-placed finish saw them fail to quality for the Champions League this term but Parlour remains confident United can land a spot in Europe's premier club competition this time around.

He said: "It was a big win for Manchester United. [Marcus] Rashford and [Joshua] Zirkzee scoring will give them huge belief they can push on now and be in the mix for a Champions League spot.

"In the short term, they will look to go to Arsenal with confidence, but I think they will come up short, but don’t be surprised if they go on a good run over Christmas and New Year."

Amorim watched his side run out comfortable winners against Everton at the weekend. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Arsenal head into the Manchester United game as firm odds-on favourites at 4/9. 

United have lost seven of their last nine matches at the Emirates Stadium and so it shouldn't be a surprise to see them enter as 15/2 underdogs.

The draw currently sits at 4/1.

Parlour was speaking exclusively to Odds Now via Net Bet Online Casino.