Ray Parlour believes Arsenal don’t have a discipline problem ahead of their blockbuster showdown with Liverpool on Sunday.
The Gunners have seen three players sent off so far this term, with William Saliba the latest to receive his marching orders.
The centre-back was sent off as Arsenal crashed to a shock 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend, with the 23-year-old set to miss Sunday’s clash with Liverpool as a result.
Declan Rice was previously dismissed against Brighton, while Leandro Trossard saw red in the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with Manchester City last month.
Arsenal news: Ray Parlour doesn’t think the Gunners have a discipline problem ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Liverpool
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With Arsenal players losing their heads at times, some have suggested they have a discipline problem.
Yet Parlour, speaking exclusively to GB News via NetBet Online Casino, doesn’t think there are any underlying issues at the club.
“No, I don’t think so,” he said when quizzed on whether his former side have a problem.
“In our day we had plenty of red cards and still were successful.
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“Patrick [Vieira] and Martin [Keown] had red cards, but we didn’t have a discipline problem.
“However, collecting silly yellow cards for kicking the ball away, they do need to stop this as it can harm the team going down to 10 men.”
After the defeat to Bournemouth, Rice fronted up.
He urged his Arsenal team-mates to stop making naive mistakes – and Parlour was pleased to see the England international taking responsibility.
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“Absolutely, you need to have plenty of leaders in the team,” he continued.
“In our successful period, we had leaders all over the pitch and Declan is one of those, having come from leading West Ham, playing international level and now at Arsenal.
“It’s these key players that drive the team on when you need it most.”
Arsenal will be hoping to beat Liverpool, who have enjoyed a stunning start to the Arne Slot era.
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Arsenal news: William Saliba was sent off last weekend against Bournemouth
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Slot has guided his side to seven victories from eight matches, with Liverpool emerging as genuine title contenders in the process.
Should the Reds beat Arsenal, they’ll move seven points clear of their rivals.
And Parlour has stressed the importance of this weekend’s fixture, with the 51-year-old insisting the Gunners can’t afford to fall further behind the chasing pack.
“Liverpool have made a good start to the season under Slot,” he said.
Arsenal news: Ray Parlour believes the Gunners can’t afford to lose to Liverpool on Sunday
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“Defensively they have been excellent and we know the firepower they have in the forward areas, so they are definitely a team to watch in the title race, albeit, there has only been under 10 games gone.
“This weekend is important as for Arsenal you don’t want two of your rivals to move clear of you in the title race, so it’s important to keep within a few points.
“Man City are always going to challenge so it’s important Arsenal stay close to them.”