By Ben Fleming
Copyright metro
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour (Picture: Getty)
Ray Parlour believes it will be a two-horse race for the Premier League title this season having watched his former side Arsenal draw with Manchester City.
Arsenal looked set to be heading for a damaging defeat to City at the Emirates on Sunday before Gabriel Martinelli’s superb injury-time strike rescued a point for the hosts.
But while they still sit second in the table, the Gunners are now five points behind Liverpool having dropped points for the second time this season.
Arne Slot’s side have won all five of their games so far, including when they faced Arsenal earlier in the month at Anfield, and yet still look like they have room for improvement.
And while still early days in the title race, Parlour admitted it could soon prove a problem for Arsenal if Liverpool start to find their stride in the coming weeks and months.
‘I wouldn’t panic yet but the problem you have is that Liverpool haven’t played great this season so far but they’ve won five game sout of five,’ he told Hayters.
‘So that’s a bit of worry because once they do click into gear – Isak and those guys – then we could have a problem.’
Mikel Arteta’s side have finished second in the last three seasons (Picture: Getty)
Despite that possibility, Parlour expects his former side, who have finished runner-up for the past three seasons, to be in the hunt for the title once again come the business end of the season.
But ‘The Romford Pele’ does not expect City to stay the course in the title race despite almost beating his former side at the weekend.
‘I don’t think Man City can challenge for the title – I really don’t – and I don’t think Chelsea can, so I really believe it’s only Arsenal and Liverpool in the race,’ he added.
Liverpool have made a perfect start to the league season (Picture: Getty)
‘The Liverpool game at home is going to be vital and they have to win that game at home but they’ve just got to keep winning games.
‘Liverpool have got away with it so far which so you they are a top side but if they do start losing a couple of games or Van Dijk or someone keys injured then Arsenal have to be ready to take advantage of that.
‘So I wouldn’t panic yet, as much as Arsenal want to win every single game, because there is still a long way to go and you can’t start moaning after five games.
‘In ’98, we were 12 points behind and we managed to come back so five points is nothng really.’
Arsenal face a tricky test next weekend as they travel to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United, while Liverpool will look to make it six from six at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace.
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