Martin Keown sends honest message to Arsenal supporters after Man City loss
The Arsenal legend believes Unai Emery needs time to implement change at the north London side
Martin Keown has described Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday as a “reality check” under their new manager Unai Emery.
The Gunners appointed former Paris Saint-Germain head coach Emery as Arsene Wenger’s replacement at the end of the 2017-18 season following a disappointing sixth-placed finish.
Arsenal signed Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner, Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno, Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira and Lorient teenager Matteo Guendouzi in the summer.
The Gunners struggled to contain the defending Premier League champions and goals from Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva secured three points for the visitors.
Emery has been tasked with guiding Arsenal back into the Premier League’s top four in his first season in charge of the north London side.
Former Arsenal defender Keown urged the Gunners supporters to be patient with Emery following their 2-0 loss to Manchester City.
“It is obvious that the Arsenal players are still getting used to the way Emery wants them to play, and it is going to take them time to get it right,” Keown told BBC Sport.
“You also have to consider the challenge he faces in taking over from Arsene Wenger. This is a new era for the club after 22 years, and it is going to see a lot of changes.
“It is an exciting time, but there will be some disappointments too and this was Emery’s first game in charge, against a City side who won the league with 100 points last season. It was never going to be easy.”
Arsenal will take on FA Cup winners Chelsea FC in their next Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening in search of a first win under Emery.
The Blues got their spell under Maurizio Sarri off to a positive start with a 3-0 victory over Huddersfield Town in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
