Former Premier League players Lee Dixon and Gary Mabbutt have criticised the current standard of defending in the league.

There were 35 goals scored in the league at the weekend and the overall tally for the season so far is at an all-time high.

These statistics have caused both Dixon and Mabbutt, international defenders in their playing days, to question whether the attacking nature of the league is having a detrimental effect on performances at the other end.

"Teams are concentrating too much on attacking and not on defending," Mabbutt told Sky Sports News.

"Defending, particularly from set pieces, has been poor this season."

Dixon said: "Throughout the league there has been an emphasis on attack. Overall, the one thing that stands out for me is the quality of the defending. It seems like it is at an all-time low."

Dixon won two Premier League titles with Arsenal, while Mabbutt enjoyed a long spell at North London neighbours Tottenham.