Ray Parlour Exclusive: Arsenal's title challenger could 'fade away' with more dropped points

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour admits his old side could be out of the Premier League title race soon if they continue to drop points.

The Gunners are currently six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have also played a game less.

A 1-1 draw at Brighton last weekend was the latest stumbling block for Arsenal, who have now drawn three of their last seven away matches.

Mikel Arteta's side could find themselves nine points behind the Merseyside club by the time they host bitter rivals Tottenham at the Emirates on Wednesday.

Parlour: 'Arsenal must beat Tottenham in the north London derby'

The blow dealt by the draw at the Amex last Saturday was slightly cushioned by Liverpool's 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United the following day, preventing them from moving eight points ahead at the top.

Still, a lack of clinical edge in the final third has hampered Arsenal at key moments already this season and hasn't been helped by a recent injury to main threat Bukayo Saka.

Speaking exclusively to Odds Now via NetBet Sports Betting, Parlour says Liverpool dropping points only makes Arsenal's failure to win even more frustrating.

He said: "I think Mikel [Arteta] will view the weekend's results as a negative, as Arsenal are still quite away off Liverpool and now is the time to close the gap.

"Especially being one nil up and to concede the penalty [against Brighton], it was a tough one to take."

Fierce rivals Tottenham make the trip to the Emirates Stadium next with their own aspirations of climbing further up the Premier League table.

An injury crisis in defensive quarters has condemned Spurs to the bottom half of the table for the majority of the campaign so far, but Ange Postecoglou's side provided a timely reminder of their offensive threat with a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup last week.

Missed chances cost Arsenal in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg with Newcastle last week. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Arsenal have won four of their last five meetings with Spurs though, a run of form Parlour insists must continue if his old side is to stand a chance at closing the gap between them and Liverpool.

"This is a must win. Arsenal can't afford to drop any points at this current time, otherwise the title challenge will fade away.

"Liverpool go to [third-placed] Nottingham Forest the day before, so if there's any time they could drop points, it’s in this one."

An Arsenal win will leave them three points behind the leaders and comes in at a best price of 5/13 with QuinnBet.

Spurs have only won once in their last 15 visits to the Emirates Stadium and the visitors predictably come in firm 13/2 underdogs with multiple bookies ahead of kick-off.

Liverpool's defensive troubles a concern

Arsenal may have some reason for optimism with the increase of goals conceded by their main title rivals Liverpool.

Arne Slot's side started the season at a canter, registering five clean sheets in their opening seven league outings.

However, injuries to defenders Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas have left the Reds thin at the back in recent months, as reflected in their recent defensive numbers.

Liverpool have now kept just one clean sheet in their last six league matches, with 11 goals conceded during that time.

Parlour admits the increaded susceptibility at the back is a worry, but admits their early defensive performance was always going to be difficult to maintain.

"Liverpool were keeping many clean sheets earlier this season, but they have conceded more recently.

Liverpool's recent troubles at the back might provide a source of hope for Arsenal. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

"It does happen like this and Liverpool started the season so well defensively, it would have been outstanding for them to continue at that rate of not conceding goals, given the competitiveness of the Premier League."

Despite the numbers conceded in recent weeks, Liverpool remain favourites to win the title at a best price of 3/10 with AKBets.

Arsenal come in second favourites at 5/1 with multiple sportsbooks, while reigning champions Manchester City are next at 25/1, despite currently sitting 12 points off top spot.

Parlour was speaking to Odds Now exclusively via NetBet Sports Betting.