Dale Stephens says he is trying to be sensible while he is walking the yellow card tightrope.

The 30-year-old midfielder has picked up four bookings so far this season and needs to get through tonight’s trip to Arsenal as well as Albion’s next three games without receiving another caution.

If he doesn’t then, like skipper Lewis Dunk recently, he will have to miss a game to serve his ban.

However, Stephens says it is just about him being more careful.

He said: “It’s just about being sensible and be more careful of the situation that you find yourself in.

“You don’t let your manager your teammates down by making a rash decision and getting yourself sent off.

“It is something I am aware of throughout the season.

“I am a player that probably make more tackles than most, which comes with being a centre midfielder.

“But, I will try and hit the deadline without getting another one.”

With Stephens having played in 80 or Albion’s last 90 Premier League games, has head coach Graham Potter had a word with Stephens about his discipline?

He said: “Yes, but I think he knows that I would know that.

“I don’t think I need much warning and touch wood it doesn’t happen again.

“It is something you are curious of as you are playing first or second half.

“But it is something I have managed to do and get away with a few times.”

Albion will play on what is a weird night to be in action unless you are in Europa League, but with midweek games coming thick and fast over the Christmas period is Stephens ready for it?

He said: “It is something I have been used to personally, I have played a lot of football in the Football League as most of our squad has really.

“It is a quick turnaround going into a busy period, we have got to be ready as we won’t train much between games.

“It is a good job I like playing game rather than training.

“It is one of those things and it’s the time of year.”

Arsenal have shown a real weakness at the back having conceded 21 goals in 14 games compared to 51 goals in 38 matches in the whole of last season.

Stephens says Albion will identify Arsenal’s weaknesses and try to capitalise on them.

He said: “With all sides that play in this league they are good teams, but everyone has got their weaknesses and flaws.

“It’s up to us to capitalise on them for what they are.

“We have been doing a bit this morning (Tuesday) and hopefully we will do a bit more tomorrow and if we put up a plan it will come together in the game.”

With Albion yet to still pick up a win away at one of the big sides, just what will three points do for the development of the club?

Stephens said: “It wouldn’t be that severe I don’t think, I think it would be encouraging.

“Performance wise I think it’s generally improved. If you look back at last season compared to this season we have attacked teams more, whether it be a Man City away or a Liverpool away.

“I think we’ve held our own in that respect and it’s something that we were going to have to do if we if you want to achieve what we want to achieve this season.”

Does Stephens think this is one of Albion’s best chance to get the three points this time round?

He said: “It has to be we put that pressure on ourselves. We want to pick up points wherever you play home or away. It is an opportunity for us to go and do that at a club which has had a bit of an indifferent time shall we say.

“We go in off the back of a decent performance, so I say quick turnaround boys, but it’s an opportunity to pick up pick up points.”

Albion will take on a different face in interim boss Freddie Ljungberg, who was part of the ‘Invincible’ Arsenal side in 2003-04.

But what does Stephens think of when you say the Swede’s name?

He said: “Just obviously the team that he played in, the achievement that they made going undefeated for the for the full season.”

it obviously stands out and outside that year I was an avid football fan watching at home and to obviously witnessed that and he was a part of that.

“He’s a very knowledgeable man, I guess.”