ARSENAL legend Ray Parlour heaped praise on manager Eddie Howe and labelled Cherries “a very well-established Premier League side”.

The former England international, a three-time top-flight winner with the Gunners, insisted he had been impressed by the Dorset club’s start to the campaign.

Parlour made 433 appearances for north London heavyweights Arsenal, also claiming four FA Cups and the League Cup.

Now working as a TV and radio pundit, the Romford-born star’s former club are in action against Howe’s side at Emirates Stadium on Sunday (2pm).

He told the Daily Echo: “Both are going into the game pretty confident.

“They have been very good, Bournemouth.

“They would have been disappointed to go out of the Carabao Cup but other than that they’ve had a great start with some really good wins against Everton and Southampton.

“Eddie has done so well. Attacking-wise, going forward they have very exciting players.

“Callum Wilson, Joshua King and Ryan Fraser, you have so many people to pick from there.

“Eddie always does a great job and Bournemouth are a very well-established Premier League side now, which is a real positive for Bournemouth fans.”

Cherries’ best top-flight finish came with a club-record 46-point haul during the 2016-17 campaign, in which Howe’s men finished ninth.

Asked what the club had to do to get to the next level, Parlour replied: “It’s all about investment. It’s all about trying to bring in the right players at the right time.

“I know certain clubs can spend more money than others but they (Cherries) ought to be positive. They have a good, young squad of players.

“They have started well in the Premier League this season and have got to keep continuing.”

Known for his high-energy performances in the centre of a successful Arsenal midfield, Parlour admitted he had been impressed with Howe’s options in the middle of the park.

“Philip Billing was a good signing. He has big physical power in that midfield,” said the 46-year-old.

“Lewis Cook is an excellent player as well and has been in the England squad, which is a testament for Bournemouth and Lewis.

“Jefferson Lerma is an excellent player and was a very big signing for Bournemouth at the time.

“They are all very good and all good clubs have a lot of competition in midfield. It’s certainly a good sign for Bournemouth to have good competition in that area.”