Alious
Arsenal legend Martin Keown delivered a scathing assessment of three key players following the Gunners’ 1-0 loss at Newcastle, highlighting defensive frailties that are becoming an increasing concern for Mikel Arteta.
The decisive moment came early in the contest when Alexander Isak broke the deadlock in the 12th minute. While the goal showcased Newcastle’s attacking prowess – a trademark of their recent evolution under Eddie Howe – Keown identified significant defensive shortcomings in its build-up.
During his halftime analysis, Keown methodically broke down the defensive breakdown, starting with Thomas Partey’s inadequate clearance. He was particularly critical of center-back pairing Gabriel and William Saliba, pointing out their poor positioning: “The gap between Gabriel and Saliba is concerning. Gabriel gets drawn to the ball when he shouldn’t, and Saliba needs to communicate better to maintain defensive shape. With two defenders marking one striker, this situation should have been managed better.”
However, fellow pundit Joe Cole offered a more forgiving perspective, suggesting the criticism might be overly harsh given the quality of the delivery: “We’re being hyper-critical here. That cross was practically indefensible given its placement.”
The defeat amplifies growing defensive concerns for Arteta’s squad, who have now gone six Premier League matches without keeping a clean sheet. The timing is particularly worrying with crucial upcoming fixtures – a midweek Champions League clash at Inter Milan followed by a London derby against Chelsea.
The defensive issues are further complicated by several absences in Arteta’s preferred starting lineup, adding pressure as they navigate this challenging period in their schedule.
Alious
