Arsenal legend Ray Parlour believes that the Gunners will harbour realistic ambitions of winning the Premier League title if they can remain within six points of Liverpool in mid-January.
Mikel Arteta's men were expected to engage in another two-horse race with Manchester City for top-flight supremacy this weekend, but while the reigning champions have capitulated, Arne Slot's Liverpool have unexpectedly surged to the summit.
A handful of slip-ups from Arsenal themselves have allowed Slot's team to build up a six-point lead over the Gunners at the top of the Premier League table, and the Reds also have a game in hand after their Merseyside derby was postponed.
Arsenal have previous when it comes to staging incredible title comebacks, though, having been 12 points behind Manchester United in February 1998 before overhauling the Red Devils, and Parlour was a fundamental part of that Arsene Wenger team.
Speaking to Sports Mole, the former midfielder has backed his former team to string together a long undefeated sequence while also setting them a points target for the New Year, saying: "They have the experience of last year to know that they can go on a long unbeaten run and challenge for the title.
Parlour sets Arsenal points target for festive period
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on December 14, 2024© Imago
"It's important that Arsenal don't slip up over the busy festive period, and if they can be within six points in mid-Jan, then they can believe they can win the title this season."
League leaders Liverpool have only dropped nine points in their first 15 matches this season, but four of those have come in their last two games against Fulham and Newcastle United, while another two were lost at the Emirates in October.
That 2-2 stalemate made it five Premier League games unbeaten for Arsenal against the Merseyside giants, but Anfield remains an unhappy hunting ground for the Gunners, who have not won a top-flight match on the Reds' turf since Arteta's playing days in September 2012.
Liverpool and Arsenal do not meet again in the Premier League until May 10, the third-last gameweek of the season, and Parlour believes that the Gunners' title hopes could very well rest on that Anfield affair.
The 51-year-old reflected on his own experiences in the 1997-98 season, where Wenger's men went unbeaten in 18 straight Premier League games, a run that included a 1-0 victory away to Manchester United thanks to a Marc Overmars strike.
Parlour: 'Arsenal might have to beat Liverpool to win title'
Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes celebrates scoring on November 26, 2024© IconSport
"For us in 1997-1998 we went on a good run which included a massive win at Manchester United, which gave us the belief it was possible to win the title," Parlour added. "Arsenal may well have to go to Liverpool and win this season to win the title."
The 1997-98 crown was one of three Premier League titles that Parlour won during his Arsenal days, but the Gunners have not conquered the country since the midfielder's farewell 2003-04 campaign, where he was part of the Invincibles.
However, Arsenal came within two points of ending Man City's reign of dominance last season, and Arteta's men are still fighting for four honours this season, currently sitting third in the Champions League table and virtually assured of last-16 qualification.
The Gunners also bested Crystal Palace 3-2 on Wednesday to reach the EFL Cup semi-finals - where they will face Newcastle United for the right to meet either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in March's final.
Next month, Arteta's men will also kick off their FA Cup campaign against Manchester United in the third round, as Arsenal chase a record-extending 15th triumph in the competition.
Ray Parlour was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of NetBet Sports Betting.
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