Ray Parlour says Arsenal can still win the Premier League

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour insists his former club can still catch Premier League leaders Liverpool. 

The Gunners currently sit nine points behind Arne Slot's men heading into their meeting with West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday. 

Arsenal know victory will close the gap to six ahead of Liverpool's meeting with reigning champions Manchester City the following day. 

Parlour: 'There's still a long way to go in title race'

Mikel Arteta's side have been on upward trajectory for the past three seasons. 

Consecutive second-placed finishes left them in a strong position to go one better and win the title this season, but their start to the new campaign has hardly been ideal. 

A four-match winless streak, which included damning defeats to both Bournemouth and Newcastle, have left Arsenal looking up at the current pace-setters Liverpool. 

Their 3-0 home win against Nottingham Forest last weekend saw them return to winning ways ahead of the commencement of a packed Christmas schedule. 

Speaking exclusively to Odds Now via NetBet Sports Betting, Parlour says Arsenal can ill-afford to drop more points if they are to close the gap between them and the top of the table. 

He said: "Arsenal must keep on winning. It’s as simple as that. West Ham away on the weekend. Then Manchester United at home and Fulham away. These are all winnable games and with Odegaard back, Arsenal look a different team going forward. 

"Three goals against Nottingham Forest is a great way to start after the international break and with the defence keeping a clean sheet, Arsenal can look to push on now and score more in the league."

Mikel Arteta will have been relieved to watch his side come out on top against Nottingham Forest last weekend. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Trophies vital in Arteta's fifth full season in charge

Outside of the Gunners' title prospects, bringing silverware back to the Emirates is vital if Arteta's tenure is to viewed in a positive light in years to come. 

The Spaniard won the FA Cup in his first term with the club he spent five years with as a player but has not yet been able to follow it up with more winners medals. 

Parlour insists that adding more trophies to the cabinet can still make this season a success, regardless of Arsenal's eventual league position. 

"The Premier League is the one Arsenal want the most as it’s been 20 years since we won the League in 2004. Arsenal were so close last year, they would have hoped not to be so far behind Liverpool at this stage.

"But there is still a long way to go and Arsenal will believe if they can reduce the deficit to around five or six points going into the new year, then they will have a chance. But with Liverpool ahead, they are worthy favourites.

"The Champions League is another massive trophy Arsenal would like to get their hands on and they [will] believe they can go further than the quarter-finals [where they were knocked out last season].

"They haven't won the Carabao Cup since 1993, [while the] FA Cup starts in January and it’s a favourite trophy of Arsenal and one they will hope to give a good shot at.

"So I would say get the Carabao Cup in the bag, especially with [Manchester] City out the equation, then this will build confidence for the league, with the hope Arsenal can be in touching distance of Liverpool by February."

Parlour was speaking to Odds Now in association with Net Bet Sports Betting.