END OF AN ERA?

At 36 years of age, time is obviously not on their side and the recent decision to rest both full-backs and Martin Keown after the defeat at Coventry may be a sign that the incredible Arsenal back four is about to become consigned to the history books.

But are their replacements any better? A look at performances this season would suggest that the two veterans are still performing as well as their supposed replacements. Winterburn and Dixon are completing 77% and 78% respectively of their passes, while Oleg Luzhny and Silvinho have posted 71% and 76% completion rates so far.

But that`s not the only area where the Englishmen outperform their foreign counterparts. Winterburn posts the best cross completion rate at 35% and his dribble completion rate is superior to the tricky Silvinho`s. Dixon`s 29% cross completion rate is the second best of the four and he has been by far the most potent goal threat. The England right-back has scored twice, hitting the target five times from nine attempts.

Surprisingly, it is in their tackling that the foreign duo outperform the triple championship winning pair. Silvinho`s 67% successs rate is the best and while Winterburn`s 57% is superior to Luzhny`s 50%, the Ukrainian has outperformed Dixon`s poor 38% success in the challenge.

While age is certainly not on their side, it appears that Dixon and Winterburn still have plenty to offer. However, it is clear that they will have to get used to squad rotation and it may be the lure of regular first team football rather than any lack of performance, that sees the two follow Steve Bould`s example and leave the club in the summer on free transfers.

Rob Bateman