Wenger secure in job, says Dixon

By Ian Hughes

Dixon has backed Wenger to get it right again at Arsenal

Lee Dixon insists Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's job is totally secure - even if the club were to manage only a mid-table finish in the Premiership.

While Manchester United's disappointing season has led to speculation about Sir Alex Ferguson's position, Dixon says Wenger will not face a similar fate.

He told BBC Sport: "There is absolutely no chance of Arsene being sacked. And rightly so, he's done a fantastic job.

"The club may be in transition but Arsene knows exactly what he is doing."

Arsenal have never finished outside of the top two since Wenger's first full season in charge at Highbury in 1997.

But with the Gunners having suffered five league defeats already this term and lying an unfamiliar sixth place in the table - a massive 17 points behind leaders Chelsea - that record is in danger.

The departure of Patrick Vieira to Juventus in the summer is clearly a contributing factor, but Dixon believes it was not a mistake to sell the Frenchman, only not to have replaced him.

He said: "Patrick was such an influential player on the pitch and he was also a major presence off the pitch and in the dressing room.

"But overall, it was good business for the club to get nearly £14m for a player who was 29 years-old and who is carrying injuries into matches.

"Maybe Arsene thought he was past his physical best.

"Sometimes players are struggling to get out of their bed on their days off, going into training and not been able to do much - just going on a bike.

Vieira has been sorely missed by Arsenal

"Supporters don't see that side of the game, whereas Arsene saw Patrick every day and maybe made a decision about his physical state.

"The money the club got for Patrick would have been wisely spent on a replacement but unfortunately that didn't happen."

Youngsters Cesc Fabregas and Matthieu Flamini have tried to step into Vieira's boots but have on occasions been found wanting.

And although Dixon predicts the pair will be fantastic players, he admitted that Arsenal appear as though they can be bullied by teams.

He added: "The young players are doing quite well but away from Highbury - particularly at Bolton and at Newcastle - teams are exploiting a weakness in that Arsenal look as though they can be outfought.

"It is no coincidence that the games Arsenal have lost have been physical matches.

"You need strong characters in the team. When you have players like that it builds a belief among the players that they won't lose.

"Sometimes when the young players are away from home they try to stand up for themselves but are looking for somebody to help them stand their ground."

Arsenal's young stars will come under further scrutiny on Sunday when they face Champions Chelsea at Highbury.

Dixon expects them to put up a good performance, however, he concedes that "any chance of Arsenal winning the league has gone".

But he added: "Arsenal aren't pushovers at home and I expect them to go on the attack on Sunday, while Chelsea will be well organised and try to hit Arsenal on the break.

It's about time Arsenal went far in the Champions League - maybe this is the year Lee Dixon

"From a purist's point of view, it is the two best teams in the country facing up to each other and it can only be a great game, whether it is a great spectacle with goals or a great tactical battle."

But if the Premiership race is over, can Arsenal continue their surprising and impressive form in Europe and emulate Liverpool's Champions League success?

"Champions League is a different type of football - you can maybe play a bit more in certain areas," said Dixon.

"And once Arsenal begin to play they are a match for anyone.

"Some of the English teams are looking at Arsenal and know that they don't like facing a physical style - or play that well against it.

"But I don't think that the teams in the Champions League are doing that.

"Arsenal's form has been superb but it's the business end of the competition now and the next game could make or break their season.

"It's about time that a squad of Arsenal's ability went further than they have done in the Champions League. And maybe this is the year."