Gary Neville agrees with Lee Dixon’s one concern about Mikel Arteta despite Arsenal’s win vs Burnley

Add as preferred source on Google

Lee Dixon was thrilled after Arsenal’s win over Burnley, but was eager to talk about Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal’s impeccable run of form continued as the Gunners beat Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor.

Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice scored to decide the direction of the points, as Arteta’s side extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

There’s a lot of talk about Arsenal’s likelihood of winning the Premier League title, with discussion increasing as the North Londoners continue to win matches, but Lee Dixon has one concern.

• READ MORE: Martin Keown’s worst fear has just come true even though Arsenal beat Burnley

Lee Dixon has one concern about Mikel Arteta

Dixon expressed how impressed he was with Arsenal at Turf Moor, but was also eager to air one looming concern he has about his former club.

Speaking on NBC Sports, the Arsenal icon outlined that while the Gunners have an answer in every position, the pressure that mounts over the course of the Premier League title race falls only on Arteta’s decisions as manager.

“The one thing that stands out for me, and I hope I’m wrong. I’m not making a prediction, but what I’m saying is they’ve got two players for every position throughout, so if they get an injury, it doesn’t matter,” Dixon said.

“The one person who hasn’t a sub or someone coming in is Mikel Arteta,” he explained.

Dixon stressed that all eyes will be on whether Arteta can keep his cool when navigating the challenges to come when the title race heats up.

“At the end of the season, when we know emotionally how he gets, that’s the one thing,” he added. 

Later in the discussion, Dixon elaborated:

“It’s Mikel, how he reacts, is this the year? He’s the only one that can’t go, I’ll step out and put a sub on. He has to be the guy, I’m looking at him going, this could be your biggest year, Mikel.”

Jamie Carragher expects Arsenal to get nervous when the season progresses in March and April, with Dixon emphasising how important Arteta’s role in such will be.

Gary Neville stresses the need for Arteta to keep composed

Dixon was speaking alongside Gary Neville, who shared his view that the Arsenal legend had raised a good point.

“A good point from Lee, the reason I say with confidence Arsenal will win the league, you look at what’s going to stop them,” Neville began.

Neville went on to list the extent of Arsenal’s squad depth, but returned to Dixon’s point about Arteta needing to retain his composure above all.

“Everywhere they’re properly built up with the same level of quality or a small drop off, it is the manager who just has to retain his composure and get himself over the line.”

Having finished second in his previous three title races, Arteta will be more aware than anyone about his need to remain focused until the job is done.

The Spaniard has a lot of critics to answer to, which he’s in a good position to achieve, should the Gunners be able to keep this level going throughout the course of the campaign.