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'Stoke, Chelsea games key to Arsenal's title chances'

Aaron Ramsey (second left) celebrates scoring Arsenal's first goal
Image: Aaron Ramsey (second left) celebrates scoring Arsenal's first goal at Liverpool, where a late Joe Allen equaliser denied them victory

Arsenal's next two games will prove the true test of their Premier League title credentials, according to one of the club's 'Invincibles'.

Arsene Wenger's side were within a few minutes of opening a five-point lead over Manchester City until Joe Allen salvaged a 3-3 draw for Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night.

As it is they remain ahead of second-placed Leicester on goal difference only, but Ray Parlour expects the Foxes to fall away as the season reaches its final stages.

And the former Arsenal midfielder - part of the squad when the title last came to N5 in 2004 - says his old club will be considered favourites if they negotiate successive Super Sunday games away at bogey side Stoke and at home to champions Chelsea.

"Certainly they've got an excellent opportunity this season with the results in an amazing Premier League," Parlour told Sky Sports News HQ. "I still think it's probably a two-horse race.

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"I don't want to discount Leicester at the moment because they're doing so well, but City and Arsenal have the bigger squads and when you get down to those last eight or 10 games that's when you've got to have players with experience.

"It's been a long time since Arsenal won it, so they've just got to keep it going now and they've got a tricky couple of games coming up - Stoke away and Chelsea at home.

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Image: Mohamed Elneny could feature in Arsenal's Super Sunday game at Stoke

"After the next two games you'll know if they're real title contenders and probably favourites to win it."

Finding the "world-class" talent to improve their chances will prove difficult this month, according to Parlour, who nonetheless believes the arrival of Mohamed Elneny from Basel will help.

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"Elneny will play in midfied, and they do need another player in there," he said. "Mathieu Flamini's doing a decent job with Francis Coquelin out, but at 23 years old Elneny's got that little bit more mobility, he's good in the tackle and efficient on the ball."

Elneny could feature at the Britannia Stadium, where Arsenal have won just once in seven Premier League games.

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