Arsene Wenger told Arsenal duo won’t scare top European teams
Martin Keown still has doubts about Arsenal midfield duo Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka
Martin Keown has warned Arsene Wenger that top European teams won’t fear Arsenal’s midfield combination of Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka.
The Gunners are making do without Champions League football for the first season since Wenger took over the reins at the north London club in 1996.
However, Arsenal have the chance to win the Europa League and secure a route back into Europe’s premier club competition like Manchester United last term.
Wenger started £33m signing Xhaka alongside Egypt international Elneny in the heart of midfield as Arsenal eased to a 2-0 win against West Brom last week.
Arsenal have been praised for a series of resilient performances since Wenger started without Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
While Keown is happy to see the Arsenal boss examine a different line-up for the north London side, the ex Gunners defender is a little underwhelmed by the Elneny-Xhaka combination.
“Xhaka looks short on confidence,” Keown told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Elneny was the standout of the too. It is an area that concerns me. I don’t know if they would set the world alight. I’m not sure if they’d frighten teams in Europe.”
Elneny didn’t feature in Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Brighton on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal signed Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette in a club-record £52m deal in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners also brought in Bosnian defender Sead Kolasinac in a free transfer from Schalke 04.
