Lee Dixon questions why Arsene Wenger didn’t start Arsenal forward

Lee Dixon says he was disappointed Arsene Wenger didn’t start Theo Walcott in Tuesday night’s 2-0 loss to Barcelona.

The Gunners manager opted to begin the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Olivier Giroud leading the Arsenal attack.

I was a bit disappointed Theo Walcott wasn’t playing up front

Lee Dixon

However, the France international was left isolated for much of the clash in north London and the 29-year-old failed to convert his one chance on the Barcelona goal.

Lionel Messi scored twice in the final 19 minutes to seal a 2-0 win for the visitors ahead of the return leg at Camp Nou on 16 March.

Former Arsenal defender Dixon felt manager Arsene Wenger should have adopted the same tactics that worked so successfully in the group stage when the Gunners were 2-0 winners against Bayern Munich at home.

“I was a bit disappointed Theo Walcott wasn’t playing up front,” Dixon told ITV Sport.

“He hasn’t been in great form, so they adapted to the slightly higher line to press.

“When they played against Bayern Munich, they played with Walcott up front. They were very compact and didn’t press high at all.

“They tried to suck Bayern onto them. It worked for them. They played with Olivier Giroud and they played a lot higher line. They pressed earlier. But they lost the game.”

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Arsenal make the trip to Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday before a mid-week clash against Swansea City.