LEE DIXON NAMES THE ARSENAL STAR SET FOR 'ABSOLUTELY VITAL ROLE' AGAINST MAN CITY
Arsenal legend Lee Dixon has explained why Ben White will be absolutely vital in Arsenal’s clash against Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
White has impressed for Arsenal in recent weeks and has become a key part of the team’s attack with the right-back having adapted to a new role this season.
The Gunners head to the Etihad just one point ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday with 10 games left as the title race begins to reach a dramatic climax.
Liverpool are also fighting for the title but Guardiola has appeared to suggest he sees Arsenal as a bigger threat after they pushed his side all the way last season.
Ahead of the latest battle between Arsenal and City, former Gunners right-back Dixon has hailed White and has explained why he will be crucial in the match.
‘When I watched him at Leeds and Brighton, I always thought he had more potential going forward than we saw of him,’ Dixon told Metro.co.uk.
‘Playing as a defender, and as a central defender, it’s not always a natural thing to go wandering up the pitch. I think it takes a bit of time to understand positionally where you should be when the ball is in certain areas.
‘Playing full-back, your whole game is based on distances between closing down the player you’re playing against – the opposition winger – covering your centre-half as a shield, and also when the team is in possession, you are not necessarily always involved.
‘Especially when the ball is on the left. You have to get your position right to make those runs and get into the game when you get the ball. It’s a funny position. As a central defender or midfielder, you’re in the game all the time in the middle of the pitch.
‘When you play on one side, you can be isolated for a bit and not in the game when your team has the ball. But he has really developed that side of his game.
‘He looks like he enjoys going forward, which he didn’t in the past, it wasn’t natural for him. I think we are seeing the best of him right now and he is playing so well. Playing full-back, the link-up with your winger is key, and him and Bukayo Saka seem to be telepathic at the moment.’
White has been in the headlines recently, first for signing a contract extension at Arsenal and then snubbing an international call-up from England.
While England faced friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, White is reported to have jetted off to Dubai to give himself a rest ahead of the game against City.
‘When you play Man City, your full-backs are one of the most important positions, based on how they play and how wide they like to keep their wingers,’ Dixon added.
‘When the ball is on one side, the other winger will stay on the touchline, which is not a normal thing. As a full-back, you tend to get pushed in from the other side by the winger behind you.
‘But they stay wide and it gives you an over-the-shoulder problem that you don’t normally get. The two full-backs for Arsenal will be hugely important. Not only defensively, but going forward.
‘Even if they win, it’s still not over. There’s still so many games and we’re not near the real, pivotal last six games yet. I’m going to go for a scoring draw, 2-2.’
Reflecting on last season’s battle between the two sides, in which City came out on top 4-1 in April on their way to landing the Premier League title, Dixon added: ‘I think [Arsenal] got outdone last year.
‘Pep Guardiola did a job on Mikel Arteta where he played Kevin De Bruyne as a floating No.10. It ruined anything good Arsenal had going for them that night.
‘He’s got to be very wary of Pep doing a Pep. Until that team sheet comes out and the game starts, you don’t really know what Pep is thinking.
‘I think you can’t afford to try and second guess him. You’ve just got to go with form.
‘We’re playing well, go with our set-up, if we play well we’ll give Man City a proper run for their money.’
Lee Dixon was speaking to Metro on behalf of BetVictor Casino.
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2024-03-29T07:22:54Z dg43tfdfdgfd