Lee Dixon criticised Oleksandr Zinchenko after Arsenal dropped more points against Southampton but insisted his former club are still capable of winning the Premier League title. The Gunners were left with mixed feelings after a 3-3 draw with Southampton at the Emirates Stadium, with the Saints leading by two goals in the first half after Carlos Alcaraz scored inside 30 seconds courtesy of an Aaron Ramsdale error and Theo Walcott netted against his former club, but Gabriel Martinelli reduced the arrears. Dixon still believes Arsenal are capable of winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004 but admits Manchester City are now firm favourites for the title. The Gunners sit five points above Man City ahead of Wednesday’s trip to the Etihad Stadium but Pep Guardiola’s side have two games in hand and a better goal difference.
While Dixon was keen to stress the positives following a dramatic 3-3 draw in north London, he singled out Zinchenko for criticism and said he ‘went to sleep’ for Southampton’s third goal. The Saints were in dreamland midway through the second half as a corner was flicked to the back-post and met by Caleta-Car, who was being marked by Zinchenko. ‘Look at Zinchenko for Southampton’s third goal,’ Dixon said. ‘He’s got his man, he’s looking at his man, he’s got his arm in the air and then he just goes to sleep. He’s not a brilliant defender. He’s brilliantly on the ball and Arsenal use him to their strengths with the ball. But without the ball, we saw him play a role in Liverpool’s equaliser at Anfield and again today. He’s got to be alive as a defender, whether you sometimes go into midfield or not. It’s your job to keep the ball out of the back of the net.’ Despite Dixon’s criticism, he still believes Arsenal are capable of winning the Premier League title this season, as they sit five points above Manchester City ahead of Wednesday’s trip to the Etihad Stadium. However, Pep Guardiola’s side have two games in hand and a better goal difference, making them firm favourites for the title.