Martin Keown has doubled down on his defence of Mikel Arteta and insisted Arsenal's style of play is not 'ugly'.
The Gunners boss has faced plenty of backlash for his tactics, most recently in his side's 1-0 defeat at Liverpool, where he was criticised for an overly defensive game plan.
Mikel Arteta's side failed to create any real chances in their defeat to Liverpool
5
Mikel Arteta's side failed to create any real chances in their defeat to LiverpoolCredit: Getty
Under Arteta, Arsenal have once again been a competitive force in the Premier League, securing three consecutive second-place finishes.
Why has Mikel Arteta been criticised?
Despite this, the Spaniard has faced growing impatience from fans in recent years for his cautious approach, especially against rivals.
This was certainly the case at Anfield, where the Gunners set up conservatively against the reigning champions, despite many predicting they would cause Liverpool problems.
And after the Gunners fell to their first loss of the season, their manager drew plenty of criticism for his approach.
Read more on talksport
Among those to have their say were Manchester United icon Peter Schmeichel, who ripped into Arsenal's display on Merseyside.
The Viaplay pundit said: "I have never in my life, ever, wanted a team to win a game of football more than Liverpool today.
"Arsenal bring an ugly brand of football to our game. Arteta... let your team play football! Let them loose, let them be free!"
It didn't take long for Gunners great Keown to hit back at Schmeichel's comments, as leapt to his former side's defence.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Monday, he said: "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?"
Eze made his Arsenal debut in the defeat to Liverpool
5
Arteta has faced criticism for his approach at Anfield - including not starting £60million summer signing Eberechi EzeCredit: Getty
Martin Keown has conceded he wants to see more from Arsenal - but baulked at the suggestion they possess an 'ugly' style of play
5
Martin Keown has conceded he wants to see more from Arsenal - but baulked at the suggestion they possess an 'ugly' style of play
What was Keown's latest defence of Arsenal?
And while Keown admitted he would like to see Arsenal employ a more free-flowing style of play, he has since insisted that things are nowhere near as bad as critics make out.
As the Gunners prepare for their return to action against Ange Postecoglou's Nottingham Forest on Saturday, the pundit was asked if he stood by his previous comments on Friday's talkSPORT Breakfast.
To this, he replied: "I just feel that that particular comment from Peter was out of keeping, really, with all the informed opinion.
“You know that I don't think Arsenal are ugly."
The three-time Premier League winner was also quick to point out that Arsenal were previously criticised for lacking defensive steel.
To highlight this, he reminded his co-host Troy Deeney of his famous comments in 2017, where he claimed the Gunners lacked 'cojones'.
Martin Keown has continued to staunchly defend Arteta and Arsenal
5
Martin Keown has continued to staunchly defend Arteta and Arsenal
Turning to Deeney, he said: “It was you that said that Arsenal lack cojones? Saying that they were a soft touch.”
“Suddenly now they're ugly - you have to be a combination of both if you want to be successful.
“So look, I have respect for Peter, but I think to say that he was desperate for Arsenal to lose that game, I think it showed his allegiance to his old club and the rivalry of Manchester United.”
Among the criticisms levelled at Arsenal by Schmeichel was their over-reliance on set pieces as a source of goals.
In the 2024/25 Premier League season, the Gunners scored 15 times from set pieces (excluding penalties), with only three side scoring more goals this way.
But Keown insisted this is an unfair criticism, as he claimed there is an unfair expectation on bigger clubs to adopt an attacking approach at all times.
Sam Allardyce managed the likes of Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn in the Premier League
5
Sam Allardyce managed the likes of Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
He went on: “They're actually also one of the most possession-based teams. Now, back in the day, let's pick on Sam Allardyce - because everyone said he was a long ball game.
“But look, [his sides]- they were quite direct. He believed in set pieces. And they would have been quite high up in those figures.
“So now it's like as the top teams, if you're a passing team, you want to do both, so they do that.
“You look at Thomas Frank, he's excellent in this area as well, which is another string to his bow. So I think you've got to show this in every area.
Keown added: “To go back to the point about Arsenal playing more football, I think they need to be freer in their minds.
“Just free this up a little bit. It's a comment that [Arsene] Wenger used to say: ‘I don't want fear guys - forget that. Blame me if it goes wrong. Play with freedom’.
Read More on talkSPORT
“And I think that's the next step for Arsenal. It's all there, waiting for them.
“You go to Anfield. Since when is the onus on Arsenal to open up and attack? You know you get hurt if you go there. You've got to have balance.”