Arsenal’s Greatest Premier League XI

Right-Back – Lee Dixon

The lineup for this all-star defensive cast begins with Lee Dixon, who completed the switch from Second Division football to Arsenal in January 1988.

A formidable partnership between Kenny Sansom and unorthodox right-back Nigel Winterburn consigned Dixon to the bench for many of his first months in north London, but the new season later saw him usurp Sansom and he would become a Gunners’ mainstay for almost ten years.

Although widely known as an astute backline performer who frequently forced attackers away from goal, Dixon’s earlier days on the Burnley flanks also made him a potent offensive weapon- both from long range and even the penalty spot. He was especially menacing from crossing positions, with this threat evidenced by his crucial role in Michael Thomas’ dramatic title-winning goal at Anfield in 1989.

His distinguished sporting career was not without moments of heartbreak, and he endured the bitter taste of defeat on some big occasions such as two European cup finals and in the 2001 FA Cup showpiece. However, this disappointment is trumped by several glorious triumphs including two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and one League Cup, while his final match for the club saw us seal a memorable league-claiming victory at Old Trafford.

After 15 years of service and 619 appearances, Dixon left Arsenal and retired from football in 2002 at the age of 38, by which time he had already firmly established his place in the Gunners’ history books.

Kenneth Daly

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