Something has changed to make Arsenal lack game smarts, worries ex-Wenger great

Lee Dixon is more worried about Arsenal's decisions than defenders ahead of United FA Cup clash.

As Arsenal take an awful recent Old Trafford into tonight’s FA Cup quarter-final tie with Manchester United, the former Gunner dismisses the idea that Arsenal’s defenders aren’t as good as during his time at the club.

Talking to the London Evening Standard, Dixon pointed instead to a change in the team’s mentality.

“You have to put it down to what frame of mind they are in going into the game. And I would suggest that Arsenal’s record against the top teams over the last few years, and particularly at United, has been woeful.

“So you have to say something is not right. You can’t say they were unlucky in every game. They haven’t approached the games in the right way.

“It is not rocket science to work out if the problem is not ability-related, it’s a mental problem. A lot is talked about defenders not being as good as they used to be at Arsenal but I don’t think it is that.

Compared with his own successful periods under George Graham and Arsene Wenger, which included notable victories at Old Trafford, Dixon feels Arsenal are no longer as good at reading the temperature of a match.

“Are they doing enough to keep that clean sheet throughout the match? Or are they trying to score before they are really ready to go as a team?

“The mentality of the team is different and it is something that needs to be improved. The balance between attack and defence has not been quite right over the last few years for me.”

Francis Coquelin has added solidity to Arsenal’s midfield since the turn of the year, but Dixon feels it’s too soon to expect him to provide the game-management nous he feels Arsenal lack.

“Coquelin has done well coming in but he is not that experienced,” said Dixon

“He can do that job but it is when his role becomes something else during a game and that he has got to make a decision, that’s a different matter.

“He can just stand there and win the ball for you but when the game goes in your favour and you start getting some joy on the pitch, what does he do then? Does he start joining in? He has got to make those decisions, so it is not as easy as saying ‘he’s doing well, he’s the answer’.”

Making those decisions sensibly will be key for Arsenal tonight, Dixon feels.

“You have got to have a solid base to go from. There is no point just going gung-ho because they will just get eaten alive.

“United’s performances suggest they are there for the taking but if you look at the results, you have to say you can’t fault them because they keep going and grinding out wins.”