Ray Parlour has mapped out Arsenal’s route to the Premier League title as their tense run-in alongside Manchester City shifts into focus.
After piling more misery on Tottenham last weekend, the Gunners are once again five points clear at the summit. City can reduce the gap to two points once again if they beat Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday before Arsenal host Chelsea on Sunday.
Crucially, City have a game in hand on their rivals. The two also meet at the Etihad in late April on what could be a defining afternoon in the title race. Before that, they will also collide in the Carabao Cup final for the first silverware of the season in a contest that could set the tone for the rest of the campaign.
Arsenal have been here before and ended the season devastated and empty-handed. Nervous draws against Brentford and Wolves demonstrated there will be off days while injuries to key personnel at this stage can make or break the season.
For now, Mikel Arteta and his squad have their fate in their own hands. Keep winning and a first title in 22 years beckons.
Gunners legend Parlour was part of the last squad to lift the trophy in 2004, one of three he won under Arsene Wenger, and believes a favourable run-in for his old side should see them over the line – even if they have to wait until the last day of the season.
Sitting down with Metro this week courtesy of BetMGM, Parlour gave his predictions for each of Arsenal’s remaining league games this season.
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Ray Parlour predicts Arsenal's title charge
The Arsenal legend gazes into his crystal ball as the Gunners prepare for their final 10 league games of the campaign.
Chelsea (H)
These will have been two big games, against Tottenham and Chelsea in a week. If they get through them with two wins, that puts them in a very decent position.
The place will be buzzing. This will be the first weekend in a long time where they have had a week off too so they should start brightly. If you score first against Chelsea, they can crumble. They are a bit flaky at the back and they will give up opportunities. I don’t think too many of their players get into this Arsenal side.
Verdict? Arsenal win
Brighton (A)
Brighton are safe now in the middle of the table, not challenging for Europe, but comfortable. Those are the teams you want to be playing. So I'll go for a win.
Verdict? Arsenal win
Everton (H)
You’ve got to have that as a win.
Verdict? Arsenal win
Bournemouth (H)
Two at home in a row – I have to go for another win.
Verdict? Arsenal win
Manchester City (A)
I always say, against your rivals, and this is what we always tried to do against Man United, win at home and draw away. So I’ll go for a draw. City will need to go out and win the game and we know Arsenal can hit you on the break.
Verdict? Draw
Newcastle United (H)
Newcastle aren’t great away from home and we’ve had good results against them recently. I look at those home games and they have to be wins.
Verdict? Arsenal win
Fulham (H)
This is sounding like a good run in!
Verdict? Arsenal win
West Ham (A)
That could be tricky. A lot depends on where West Ham are by then and if they still have a chance to stay up. It could be tricky. I might put a draw down for that one but it is hard to call at this point.
Verdict? Draw
Burnley (H)
Burnley will probably be down by then so you would expect a win.
Verdict? Arsenal win
Crystal Palace (A)
Oliver Glasner will be leaving so I suppose maybe he will want to go out on a high, especially at Selhurst Park. But they will be safe. they could still be in the Conference League at that stage too which could make a difference.
Verdict? Arsenal win
Will Arsenal get over the line as champions?
If it goes down to the last day of the season, I would be delighted. I know how hard it is to win the league, but the run in does favour Arsenal slightly. This weekend is a very big one, especially for Arsenal.
Ray Parlour spoke to Metro courtesy of BetMGM.
‘Chelsea can crumble at the Emirates’
First things first, Arsenal have to take care of business against the Blues on Sunday.
Arsenal and Chelsea have met three times this season with the Gunners dumping their London rivals out of the Carabao Cup across two legs.
Chelsea’s only defeats under Liam Rosenior came in those games but there has been plenty of fight shown, coming from behind in the league and in Europe against West Ham United and Chelsea.
Parlour believes the midfield battle will be key where Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo will do battle but believes Chelsea’s inconsistent streak – coupled with doubts over goalkeeper Robert Sanchez – could be their undoing.
‘Arsenal are coming off a really good result against Tottenham but you have to be wary of Chelsea because they have quality players,’ Parlour said.
‘Midfield is going to be very important as usual, they have Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer who can be so dangerous. In wide areas they are dangerous too and Joao Pedro is in really good form up top.
‘But it is all about Arsenal being at home. The place will be buzzing. If you score first against Chelsea, they can crumble. They are a bit flaky at the back and they will give up opportunities. Robert Sanchez can be a brilliant goalkeeper, or he can have a nightmare. I don’t think too many of their players get into this Arsenal side.
‘Chelsea’s problem is their consistency. There was talk of them challenging for the league and they were up there at the at the start but you don’t know what version of them is going to turn up. Chelsea can go to Leeds and lose 3-1 or go to Man City and get a win or a draw.’
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