After the remarkable prediction on the Norwich game, it seems that fans are taking Lee Dixon very seriously when he predicts the outcome of games.

Writing on his BetFair column ahead of tonight’s Champions League game between Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, the Englishman started by saying that the Gunners would have been in a much better position had they respected the odds and battled their way past Olympique Marseille in their last game of Group F.

But having failed to do so, manager Arsene Wenger will surely start with striker Robin van Persie, rested against the French side, with the Dutchman expected to continue his formidable goal-scoring form against the German side.

According to Dixon, questions should be raised on the defensive department after the comical way the Gunners conceded at Carrow Road with the 47-year old convinced that Theo Walcott could grab a goal tonight after turning provider for his team-mates, in recent weeks.

On the game, the former right-back said:

If Arsenal had beaten Marseille a few weeks back like they should have, they would have been pretty much home and dry as regards making the knock-out stages of the Champions League.

But Arsene Wenger decided that captain, talisman and top scorer (he probably drives the team bus, too) Robin van Persie needed a rest and only gave him half an hour in that match.

Without him, the Gunners never really got going and drew 0-0. They can’t afford any more slip-ups here and I’d be amazed if RVP doesn’t start this one, especially after scoring two more at the weekend.

In van Persie they have one of the most in-form strikers in Europe and the team continues to adopt an attack-minded philosophy.

At the other end, they remain suspect. The goal they conceded away at Norwich was defending the likes of which I last saw in a school playground.

I don’t expect the floodgates to open because there’s so much at stake in this match but ‘overs’ is a confident selection and 2-1 would be my idea of the most likely scoreline.

I’m not going to come up with any new and original ways of explaining why backing Robin van Persie to score is a good bet.

Look at his scoring record in 2011 and his record in his last seven matches – ten goals no less. Back him again.

Theo Walcott was lively on Saturday and is due a goal, having created plenty of chances in recent weeks for others to score.