Ray Parlour has claimed that former club Arsenal can win the Premier League title this season - providing that they keep their key players fit.

The Gunners thumped rivals Manchester United 3-0 at the Emirates before the international break to move second in the table, two points behind Manchester City.

Parlour, who helped the North Londoners to their last title in 2004, says that victory over United will have done wonders for their belief, but warns that they could still fall short unless their best players stay fit and firing.

"I think the most important thing for Arsenal is being involved around March or April time to be in with a chance of winning it," he told Sky Sports News. "Over the last few seasons they've seemed to drop off.

"It was a huge game against Manchester United, bouncing back from Olympiacos, they had to get a result and start quickly. Theo Walcott is playing well at the moment up front, and he's got competition from Olivier Giroud, who scored for France in midweek.

"So everything is going well for Arsene [Wenger] at the moment but the key is keeping players fit, [if they do] I think they'll have a good chance this year."

Arsene Wenger's men face Watford away on Saturday.