Arsenal: Lee Dixon scathing attack sad to see

At the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust AGM on Monday night, Lee Dixon launched a scathing attack on Arsene Wenger and the club. It is extremely sad to see indeed.

The crisis at Arsenal is an undoubtedly interesting topic. There is perhaps no man as influential and divisive as Arsene Wenger in the history of the Premier League. He revolutionised the game, he rivalled the great Sir Alex Ferguson, and often bettered him, and he produced arguably the greatest season in English football history. And yet, his demise has been ever greater. And so the arguments flow.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast right here

The latest to have his say on the current state of the club is the former full-back, Lee Dixon. He didn’t hold back.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Speaking at the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust AGM on Monday night, Dixon, in several revealing episodes, stories and comments, lambasted Wenger, the board, and the club as a whole. You can read a full transcript of everything that he had to say here. I warn you, it’s not pretty.

I would like to show some of the quotes that I found most interesting, insightful, and controversial. Perhaps the most critical element of Dixon’s comments came when talking about the coaching style of Wenger, both in the input that he has had on some of the former players and in the freedom that he gives a figure like Steve Bould.

Of Ashley Cole and his development, Dixon said, ‘Tony Adams coached Ashley Cole into becoming the best left back in the world. It had nothing to do with the coaching from Arsene.’ He then proceeded to question the coaching techniques of Wenger and the use of the resources at his disposal, ‘Bouldy does get to do some stuff in training, but not as much as he would like. Arsene went through a period of allowing him to do a little bit more. There was recognition in the press that Arsenal looked a bit more solid. Then it all went away.’

Now, Dixon was careful not to say that Wenger is a stupid manager — ‘It would be wrong to say Arsene doesn’t know what he’s doing, but he’s floundering now as everyone has caught up. You don’t get to where he is if you’re stupid’ — but the implication that he did not have the influence or impact that many suggest was made. It was impossible to ignore.

That is extremely sad to see. The growing vitriol by many of Arsenal’s former players, however justified it may be, is disappointing. The disharmony, disjointed criticism, the turbulence of this club, its history, its fans, its legends, and its manager, it making it a laughing stock for all else to enjoy.

Next: 30 greatest transfers in past 30 years

I am not saying that Dixon should be supporting Wenger. I am not saying that he is not entitled to his opinion. I am not accusing him of being a liar or contorter of the truth. My point is far simpler and subtler than that: Arsenal are sad, and this only adds to their sadness.