Why Lee Dixon Sees Arsenal Missing Out on Vinicius Junior as a Positive

Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon thinks the Brazilian star Vinicius Junior used Arsenal's interest as leverage to secure a better deal with Real Madrid. Despite rumours linking the winger with a move to north London, Vinicius chose to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu and signed a new contract.

Dixon suspects the player’s camp played a strategic role in the negotiations. Speaking to BestBettingSites, he said that he doubted the transfer to Arsenal was ever really on the table but sees the club’s involvement as a positive sign.

"Funny that, isn't it? Yeah, I think Vinicius’ team were playing the game. I don’t think Arsenal not getting him hurts us, and I actually think it did the club a lot of good to throw their hat in the ring because it shows real intent," Dixon explained.

"Whether it was a completely serious pursuit or not, it’s a very complicated transfer to pull off. Showing that level of interest was a good thing because, apart from the fans saying it was never going to happen, insiders in the football world will know there was some truth in it."

"All of a sudden, people at Manchester City and Manchester United see Arsenal throwing their weight around. It gives other teams a bit of a wow moment – they’re thinking big, so we’ve got to step up too. So as a fan or player, missing out on him hasn’t hurt us at all."

Dixon’s View on Arsenal’s Left Wing Options

Turning to Arsenal’s current options on the left wing, Dixon highlighted new signing Christos Tzolis as an exciting talent who could strengthen the attack. He contrasted Tzolis with existing players like Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.

"I’ve always said about that left-wing position – even the season before they won the league, I said (and it might have been a bit harsh), I don’t think you win the Premier League with Leandro Trossard as your starting left winger.

Having said that, last season he played some really important games and scored some crucial goals. It has become much more of a squad game where he and Gabriel Martinelli have rotated and done really well together."

"But the player who stands out for me is Tzolis. I really like this kid. I think he’s that next level up from Trossard. Martinelli is a bit off-the-cuff – you don’t always know what you’re going to get. So I think we should give Tzolis a bit of free rein and see how he goes in the first six or seven games. Other than that, bring Ryan Giggs back, he wasn’t bad (laughs)!"

Upcoming Fixtures for Arsenal and Real Madrid

Arsenal now turn their attention fully to pre-season preparations. They will face Italian side Como in a friendly on 12 August before challenging Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior will prepare under new head coach Jose Mourinho, with friendlies against Deportivo La Coruna and Schalke planned ahead of their La Liga opener against Espanyol on 22 August.