Ex-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry believes the Gunners can lift the Premiership title, despite missing key players like Robin van Persie. Speaking to The Times and referring to his old club by using the words “we” and “us”, the Frenchman declared it is admirable how Arsene Wenger’s side twice cut the gap at the top, showing sheer determination.

With the Gunners currently on level points with Chelsea, Henry, 32, added how Arsenal’s easy set of fixtures compared to the rest will make sure that they will keep on fighting until the end, with a very good chance of adding a new trophy after five years of anxious wait.

The Frenchman said:

I know it’s coming up to five years since we won a trophy. But don’t rule us out for the Premier League title this year. You can’t – when a team have proved they can get up off the floor after not one heavy blow to the chin but two, you have to take their chances seriously.

Arsene Wenger’s players took two beatings in big matches – from Manchester United and then Chelsea – and still kept pace with those clubs at the top of the league. Now you look at our remaining programme, starting with Burnley at the Emirates, and you can see that the other members of the so-called big four are safely out of the way.

With no disrespect to the rest, that has to be an advantage. So we’re very much in there fighting for the big prize. And there can be no doubt now that Arsene’s latest generation have the stomach for the fight.

They have survived a lot this season, including injuries to Cesc Fabregas and, still, Robin van Persie. In fact, you could say that if Van Persie had stayed in the side, we might even be top now.