Ray Parlour has hailed ‘unsung hero’ Mathieu Flamini as key to Arsenal’s hopes of securing silverware this season.

The midfielder, who has been a virtual ever-present since rejoining the club on a free transfer in the summer, was forced off in the first half of Saturday’s 4-1 win over Norwich after a nasty clash of heads.

Parlour hopes Flamini makes a swift return, as he reckons the defensive midfielder has made as big an impact on the Gunners as record signing Mesut Ozil.

The likes of Ozil and Aaron Ramsey have stolen the headlines this season as Arsene Wenger’s side have stormed to the top of the Premier League table, but Parlour, speaking on the Weekend Sports Breakfast, said: “Flamini has been a massive signing.

“The midfield has always been very good, but they were all very similar players. The likes of [Santi] Cazorla, [Mikel] Arteta are really good on the ball, but they had no one in there bossing everyone around. Now suddenly Flamini has gone in there and he is starting to pull people around.

“Before he left for AC Milan he was fantastic. Now he is doing a very similar role and giving it to Ozil, Cazorla. He has been a real unsung hero so far.

“These sort of players do their jobs well but go unseen. He has been a really important player that has come into the club and gone on from where he left. He could be the difference this season.”