Lee Dixon Exclusive Interview: Arsenal Transfers, Man City & Premier League Insights

How much of a blow is missing out on Vinicius Junior? Do you think he was using Arsenal to get a salary increase from Real?

Funny that, isn’t it? Yeah, I think Vinicius’ team were playing the game. I don’t think Arsenal not getting him hurts us, and I actually think it did the club a lot of good to throw their hat in the ring because it shows real intent. Whether it was a completely serious pursuit or not, it’s a very complicated transfer to pull off.

Showing that level of interest was a good thing because, apart from the fans saying it was never going to happen, the insiders in the football world will know there was some truth in it.

All of a sudden, people at Manchester City and Manchester United see Arsenal throwing their weight around. It gives other teams a bit of a “wow” moment – they’re thinking big, so we’ve got to step up too. So as a fan or player, missing out on him hasn’t hurt us at all.

Who do they go out and sign instead of the brilliant Brazilian?

I’ve always said about that left-wing position – even the season before they won the league – I said (and it might have been a bit harsh), “I don’t think you win the Premier League with Leandro Trossard as your starting left winger.” Having said that, last season he played some really important games and scored some crucial goals. It has become much more of a squad game where he and Gabriel Martinelli have rotated and done really well together.

But the player who stands out for me is Tzolis. I really like this kid. I think he’s that next level up from Trossard. Martinelli is a bit off-the-cuff – you don’t always know what you’re going to get. So I think we should give Tzolis a bit of free rein and see how he goes in the first six or seven games. Other than that, bring Ryan Giggs back – he wasn’t bad (laughs)!

What is one position that needs to be improved?

We talked about Arsenal needing a centre-back. I do think we need another top-class option out wide and in defence. At the moment, we’ve got the two main centre-backs, and then there’s a slight drop-off to three players who can fill in. We need a third centre-half who is right up at that elite level with the main two.

Also, Kai Havertz is a very good player – I like Havertz a lot – and Viktor Gyökeres gives us another dimension, but a natural, out-and-out centre-forward you can completely hang your hat on is rare. They’re just not around right now. We were talking about this with the England setup under Thomas Tuchel – you look behind Harry Kane, and while Ollie Watkins is there, there aren’t massive numbers of elite, natural goalscorers.

In my day, Ian Wright couldn’t get in the team, Robbie Fowler couldn’t get in, Teddy Sheringham had to play as a number 10, and you had Les Ferdinand. You had eight or nine top-class strikers all trying to get ahead of Alan Shearer. It’s not the same at club level now – where are those natural goalscorers? The game has evolved away from the traditional number 9.

That said, I do like Gyökeres. If Arsenal play to his strengths a bit more this season, he will score a hatful. Last season, Ødegaard barely passed to him at times – Gyökeres would make the run and the ball just wasn’t played. So centre-half and centre-forward are key, which is probably what every team in the Premier League is looking for.

This time last year you told us to keep an eye on Max Dowman. It looks like the young man will get plenty of opportunities at the beginning of the season due to Arsenal’s World Cup stars returning slowly. Is this the season where Dowman establishes himself as a key player for the Gunners?

Anything is possible, but relying on a 16-year-old is a big ask. Mikel Arteta is probably the best manager he could have at this stage of his career. Max has demonstrated his technical ceiling, but the real test is mental durability. Physically, he’ll hold his own – he’s a sturdy lad and won’t get completely bullied. Plus, modern full-backs don’t smash opponents the way Nigel Winterburn used to; it’s mostly pushing and jockeying now.

The main challenge is handling the psychological demand of elite football. Making occasional substitute appearances is easy to process – you go back to your routine and everyone praises you. But playing week in, week out is a completely different mental burden. Mikel won’t throw him into the deep end prematurely, so this season is structured nicely for his gradual integration.

Bruno Guimaraes is coming in the door. He’s been involved in some feisty performances with Arsenal and had a run in with a few of the current players – does all that stuff get forgotten about / will the players be joking about it etc.?

No, it’s great (the previous fights between Bruno and Arsenal) – I love it! It actually bonds you as a group. If there’s someone you didn’t enjoy playing against because he was tough and feisty, having that edge in your team is brilliant.

He’s had a few run-ins with Arsenal players in the past, but it just adds bite to training. Arteta is savvy enough to let that settle naturally. Ask Thierry Henry what it was like when he first came to Arsenal – we kicked him all over the park in training because that’s how we prepared, and he couldn’t understand it at first! Guimarães will bring his normal competitive edge. If you don’t stand up for yourself in proper training, you get sorted out quickly. That Monday-to-Friday intensity directly carries over to Saturday.

Is the signing of an older player in Bruno Guimaraes a statement of intent?

Absolutely. It required real backing from the board, but Mikel holds immense authority at the club now. Even if they hadn’t won the league last season, his job was completely secure. The fact that they won the title and reached a Champions League final meant the board were ready to back his vision financially. Spending £75 million on a proven performer shows they are purely focused on winning right now.

Which players do you expect to leave the club this summer? Gabriel Jesus?

Yeah, I’m actually surprised Gabriel Jesus hasn’t moved on already, even though he’s been brilliant for the club. But Arteta might view him as essential because he’s fantastic in the dressing room. He’s a proven winner – he’s been there, done it, and won titles. So from that point of view, Arteta might think, “We can afford his wages, he comes off the bench to score the odd goal, and we don’t have a youngster ready to take his spot.”

From the player’s perspective, is he happy with that squad role? That’s down to him. He looks enthusiastic whenever he comes on, so it’s not like he’s sulking.

Toward the end of my career, I played right up until my last season when I turned 38, and I wouldn’t have wanted to sit on the bench for two or three years. Jesus might feel differently and be happy to do another couple of seasons in that role. But he and Ben White are the obvious ones. The rest of the squad Arteta won’t want to thin out any further.

Are you concerned that they moved too slowly to sign Morgan Rogers?

I really like him as a player. I’m not sure why the deal broke down – it seemed as though he was heading to Emirates Stadium before suddenly diverting to Chelsea. He has a distinct, powerful ball-carrying style when driving into central space. But do Arsenal desperately need him? Given the profile of attacking players already in the squad, I’m not devastated to miss out. He would have added quality, but whether it came down to financial structure or wage demands at Chelsea, it wasn’t a deal-breaker for me.

Would you take Marcus Rashford in a swap for Myles Lewis Skelly?

Would I swap them (Myles Lewis Skelly and Marcus Rashford)? You know what, I probably would. And that’s nothing against Myles Lewis-Skelly; it’s about giving him the freedom to go and expand his game elsewhere.

With Marcus Rashford, he’s a player who needs an arm around his shoulder, and Arteta would be great for him. Give him that love, give him the freedom to play on that left side, and yeah, I’d like to see him in an Arsenal shirt. I have my reservations about whether he’s consistently a top-class player, but based on what Arsenal have in the squad now, he’d be a good addition.

Is it a mistake not to push for Bradley Barcola?

I rate Barcola, but that’s a serious transfer fee (£100m +). Mind you, so is Vinícius Júnior, so it’s a case of weighing up your options. We don’t know how concrete the interest truly was for either player, but Barcola is still only 23 or 24. There’s room for development and raw naive talent there, yet he’s played enough high-level matches at PSG to prove he possesses the physical durability for top-flight football. But when figures like £130m or £140m get thrown around, it’s a massive outlay regardless of current market inflation.

Arsenal have got two brilliant RBs in White and Timber, but both have fitness / injury concerns. Does the RB situation worry you?

You have to be concerned because historical injury records rarely lie. A player doesn’t go from picking up constant muscle niggles to suddenly managing seven injury-free seasons. The body dictates that. So yes, it remains a slight vulnerability. Arsenal have utility options who can plug holes – Riccardo Calafiori has filled in, and Declan Rice can do a job there at a push, though you don’t want to pull Declan out of central midfield. They have cover for now, but if Ben White were to leave, they’d definitely need a replacement.

Will Enzo Maresca suffer the same fate as David Moyes, Unai Emery and struggle to fill the shoes of a legendary manager?

It’s an enormous job. It’s crucial that he establishes his own identity rather than trying to imitate Pep, because you can’t replace a manager like that directly. He has to bring his own tactical plan. Obviously, having worked with Pep, there will be a lot of Guardiola’s influence in his thinking, but the players need to buy into Maresca as his own man. If they lose three or four games on the spin early on, people will immediately start questioning him. He’s on a tightrope following Pep, that’s for sure.

If things go wrong do you think Manchester City will stick with him?

It’s a great question. All top clubs are the same – if you lose your first four games, the board won’t just say, “It’s fine, take your time.” City are serial winners. The board might try to be patient up to a point because of the massive shoes he has to fill, but it’s the fans who ultimately get a manager sacked. If the crowd turns, pressure builds rapidly.

I was talking to someone about Pep’s brilliant football brain, but I always make the point that everywhere he’s managed – Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Man City – he’s had the absolute best players in world football available to him. It’s what he does with those players that sets him apart, but following that setup at City after what happened with Maresca at Chelsea is a daunting task. You don’t turn down the Manchester City job, though!

Is Elliot Anderson worth £116 million?

You just have to accept current market values. If you look at that transfer figure on paper, it looks mad, but the transfer market itself is mad. He didn’t set his own price tag. I rate him very highly – he’s a unique midfielder in the way he plays, links the play, passes forward, and presses aggressively. He’s right in your face. Declan Rice cost £100 million, so if you want an elite, engine-room player to cover or eventually replace Rodri, that’s the going rate.

Do you feel sorry for James Trafford – is he a warning to other City signings?

Clubs take chances on players, and players take chances joining big squads. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. He’s moved on now and is in a position where he looks the part. I watched him closely during warm-ups for England, and he has a real physical presence about him. He’s a goalkeeper who will really flourish by playing week in, week out, and he can keep getting better, so I’m pleased it’s worked out for him.

How big a loss will Rodri be if he moves to La Liga?

Now that City have signed Elliot Anderson, it’s the perfect transition for him, the club, and everyone involved. I don’t see a downside. People might say they’re letting a world-class midfielder go, but at 31, coming off a major injury, he’s not going to get any better than the peak he’s already hit. His value will only decline from here, so getting that deal done while bringing in Anderson makes complete sense for all parties.

What do players really think of playing in the Community Shield? Do they consider it a trophy?

Players have never really cared about the Charity Shield or Community Shield. I always saw it as a pain in the backside because it’s essentially your final pre-season fixture before the campaign officially starts. So it’s sort of important for fitness, but as a trophy, it really isn’t. It’s a bit of a head-scrambler.

We smashed Manchester United 3-0 in it back in 1998, and they went on to win the Treble that season! So it doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme. It’s a nice day out for the supporters and usually sweltering hot, but you don’t really want to be playing a high-stakes match then.

Where are the medals for it? They’re buried in a box in the loft somewhere! It’s nice to win for the team photo, but fundamentally it’s a glorified fitness session. You’re testing your lungs and leg sharpness ahead of the real stuff starting the following week.

I’m going 1-0 to the Arsenal, though.

Who is your favourite to stay up of the promoted sides?

I’d probably lean toward Ipswich Town simply because of their recent experience at Premier League level. Coming up into the top flight is a massive culture shock. Sunderland did brilliantly last season to defy expectations, but it’s tough.

I do like Frank Lampard at Coventry City – I like the way he speaks about the game. He speaks my language as a former player. When a manager speaks with clear, direct clarity rather than relying on buzzwords and PowerPoint presentations, it hits home with the players in the dressing room. So Coventry have a shout, and Ipswich have the experience, but for teams like Hull City, it’s an enormous uphill task.

Who is your best signing of the transfer window so far?

Elliot Anderson to Manchester City is an exceptional signing, though you have to factor in the huge fee. But I’ll go with Bruno Guimarães to Arsenal, because he provides exactly what was missing. Mikel Arteta recognised the need for robust creativity and grit in midfield, went out and identified his primary target, and secured him.

Which manager are you most concerned for?

I’ve got my eye on Xabi Alonso at Chelsea. Transitioning from Real Madrid into the chaotic environment at Chelsea is a massive challenge. Chelsea have a bloated squad that he has to streamline into a functional side, and he’ll be under pressure to establish composure quickly. If they don’t start well, we know how reactive the Chelsea board can be.

Do you think Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans are enough for Michael Carrick to challenge for the title this season?

I haven’t caught the friendlies myself, but a close mate of mine is a massive Manchester United fan and mentioned how sharp Santos looks. I’m also a big admirer of Youri Tielemans. In the right structure, Tielemans is a fantastic footballer, and I can see him fitting into United’s midfield setup quite smoothly. Both are solid additions, though whether it’s enough to elevate them completely remains to be seen. But I rate Michael Carrick highly as a manager.

Is Jadon Sancho the biggest drop-off in world football you can remember?

I find it really difficult to understand what’s gone wrong there. I can’t relate to it. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt at previous clubs, but after watching his trajectory, you wonder which top manager looks at him now and thinks they can fix it. He clearly possesses vast natural talent, but he seems to have completely lost his way and taken his hands off the wheel.

Are Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson what Chelsea needed?

What it actually gives younger players is a reliable anchor. They can look over their shoulder in the dressing room before a massive game and just get a simple nod and a wink.

As a senior player, you sense when teammates are more nervous than usual. You walk past, catch their eye, and drop two words: “How’re you doing? You’re going to be brilliant today.”

It’s those micro-moments. People on the outside watch an aging player and ask, “Why have they signed him? He’s washed up.” He isn’t washed up when he’s doing that behind closed doors. Or during training, when a young player’s head drops because a coach is laying into him, you step in because you’ve been scolded a million times and know how to handle it. You pull him aside and keep his confidence intact.

Those qualities are intangible. You can’t track them in statistics, and fans don’t see them on matchday. It happens at the team hotel, over dinner on a Friday night, or when someone isn’t eating properly before a kickoff. You cannot buy that presence, and having those senior figures in a squad is pure gold dust.

Is Xabi Alonso the right man for Chelsea?

Who knows who the right man for Chelsea is! It’s more a question of whether they have the right board and structure in place. I don’t know how long they can sustain their current recruitment model while constantly cycling through managers to direct a squad that size. But Alonso is a brilliant football mind, so if anyone can bring order to it, he has a fighting chance.

Are you worried about the future of the World Cup under Gianni Infantino?

Everything connected to Infantino worries me. I couldn’t be more concerned. What he stands for and how he tries to conduct the game is a concern – like making a mockery of things at the World Cup with hydration breaks and allowing situations like the Folarin Balogun eligibility situation to unfold. It gives me shivers down my spine thinking about it. The fact that he hasn’t stepped down or left already is even more alarming, so I’m certainly no fan.

Would Arsene Wenger be the ideal candidate to replace him?

Arsène is the most cerebral football mind I’ve ever encountered. If you were going to put someone of genuine intellect and integrity in charge, he’d be my primary candidate. The depth of his thinking and how he articulates his vision would make him ideal. I couldn’t think of anyone better suited.