Martin Keown has taken aim at Peter Schmeichel after he criticised Arsenal's approach to big games, labelling them as "ugly, following their latest loss in a big game
Mikel Arteta's philosophy has been called out after their loss at Liverpool
Mikel Arteta's philosophy has been called out after their loss at Liverpool
Martin Keown has leapt to Arsenal's defence and called Peter Schmeichel "deranged" for claiming the Gunners play an "ugly" style of football as he wished them to lose at Liverpool.
The Gunners have become a major force in the Premier League, finishing second for three years on the trot under Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard has overseen their rise but in more recent years they've copped criticism for their way of playing, especially against their rivals.
It was again highlighted as they lost 1-0 at Anfield before the international break. Arsenal have become set piece specialists, but there is an accusation that they've become over reliant on them and their ability to break teams down from open play has suffered.
Schmeichel claimed Arsenal's tactics meant he was desperate for Liverpool to win and he branded the way Arteta's side play as "annoying" and "ugly". He claimed it was "designed to exploit opponents’ mistakes while waiting for set pieces."
Keown accepts that there needs to be an evolution in the way that Arsenal approach games, but has hit back at the Dane for his comments on the north Londoners.
He told talkSPORT: "We want more. Arsenal I feel now are at the stage where it’s a mentality change, they need to change gear, they’ve really got to go after it. You’ve got to have the eye of the tiger to really go and win these games. Looking back, I hope we don’t regret it, but it’s too early in the season to write Arsenal off.
"I don’t know if it’s been calm in the media. I’ve listened to some people, sometimes these ex-players like Peter Schmeichel has said that Arsenal bring something 'ugly' to the Premier League. I think that’s deranged, what's he talking about."
Peter Schmeichel has taken aim at Mikel Arteta's approach with Arsenal
Peter Schmeichel has taken aim at Mikel Arteta's approach with Arsenal
Arsenal scored 17 fewer goals than Liverpool last season but have moved to address that this summer by spending bit on the likes on Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke. They will enhance their attack as they look to be more effective from open play.
Gary Neville said after their loss at Liverpool: "They look comfortable in a big game, but at this moment in time haven't got that risk in their game, that courage to go and think they can win."
Arsenal did let loose against Leeds, hitting five past the newly promoted outfit, but in their opening day win at Manchester United it was a goal from a corner that won it for them before they produced a strong defensive display.
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