Lee Dixon: Opposing Arsenal hurts but Schalke look strong

Embattled - Arsene Wenger

Lee Dixon had a winning weekend in the Betfair markets but he was still disappointed to see Arsenal lose at Old Trafford. The Betfair Ambassador discusses the Gunners' problems and recommends his bets for one of their biggest games of the season... 

Arsenal's problems have crept up on them. They made a decent start to the season, keeping three clean sheets, and it looked as though the new players - Lukas Podolski,  Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud - were settling in and had the makings of a formidable attack. Now, nine points of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League, following a terrible display at Old Trafford, and in a precarious position in the Champions League, that all feels like a long time ago.   

So where did it go wrong? There have been a number of defensive errors - against United and Chelsea in particular - that will have appalled Steve Bould. His appointment as assistant manager was expected to instill stability at the back. I still believe it will but it's clear that it will take time. Thomas Vermaelen's error to let in Robin van Persie set the tone but the fact is that the entire team need to learn to defend when they haven't got the ball. Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker aren't kids and they can't change the way they play overnight.

Don't even get me started on Andre Santos. His errors are fundamental, he doesn't know how to play as part of a back four - it's as straightforward as that. I was astonished to see him starting against Antonio Valencia, he was inevitably overpowered and Wenger will surely change the team for the match against Schalke, possibly by bringing Bacary Sagna in at left-back.

Wenger is under pressure and he knows it. There's a big spotlight on the club and that only grows more glaring as the seasons pass without silverware. It's time for players to step up. I've been there, when we were under the cosh after a string of defeats, George Graham would get us together, look in to our eyes and tell us that we needed to show mettle. The likes of Tony Adams and, later under Wenger, Patrick Viera rallied the team too. But where will that kind of spirit come from in this Arsenal side? I don't see natural leaders in the ranks and, old fashioned as it might sound, you can be as tactically astute as you like but, if you lack leaders, you won't win trophies.

Tuesday night's trip to Germany is a really tough one, Arsenal's biggest game of the season so far. They lie one point behind Schalke, who outclassed them at the Emirates a fortnight ago, in Group B and defeat in this match would leave them with a fight on their hands to qualify. They're only 1.211/5 to do so but, if Olympiakos can beat Montpellier at home, the Greek side will have six points too.      

It hurts me to bet against Arsenal but it's my job to give you frank recommendations, based on cold logic and insight, rather than bang the drum for my old club. I want Arsenal to win every game but I'm going to have to go against them for the second time in four days. Back Schalke to win.

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