Martin Keown sends defensive message to Arsenal fans
The Arsenal legend claims Arsene Wenger and his players show a lack of respect for the art of defending
Martin Keown has criticised Arsenal for showing a lack of respect for the art of defending.
The Gunners are already in crisis after three Premier League games following a disastrous start to the 2017-18 season.
Arsenal were unconvincing 4-3 winners against Leicester City in their Premier League opener as Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud scored late goals to overturn a 3-2 deficit.
The north London side lost 1-0 to Stoke City in their first Premier League game on the road before a humiliating 4-0 loss to title rivals Liverpool at Anfield before the international break.
Arsene Wenger’s side were lacklustre as their title rivals pulled Wenger’s makeshift defence apart thanks to goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge.
The Gunners manager signed Alexandre Lacazette in a club-record £52m deal from Ligue 1 side Lyon in July after Bosnian defender Sead Kolasinac completed a free transfer from Schalke 04.
Both their summer signings started on the bench against Liverpool as Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey received a lot of criticism for their performances.
But Arsenal legend Keown was particularly unhappy with their defending against Liverpool after conceding eight times in their opening three games.
“Arsenal didn’t pay any respect to the defensive side of the game,” Keown told BBC Sport.
“The players aren’t tuned it, defensively or tactically. They didn’t know their roles or responsibility.’
Arsenal finished in fifth place in the Premier League table last season to miss out on a Champions League spot.
