Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has expressed confidence that the club possesses the necessary ingredients to build on their recent Premier League triumph and mount a sustained challenge for both domestic and European honours. Following Arsenal’s first league title in over two decades, Keown emphasises the importance of maintaining squad stability as the foundation for future success.
Keown advocates for Arsenal to prioritise retaining their existing talented players rather than pursuing major new signings. The arrival of Bruno Guimaraes bolsters the squad, whilst the return to full fitness of Kai Havertz following a lengthy injury-affected campaign effectively strengthens the attacking options available to manager Mikel Arteta. The emergence of promising academy graduates, including Cristhian Mosquera and other young defenders, provides additional depth and tactical flexibility.
A particular concern for Keown centres on preserving Arsenal’s homegrown core, with players like Bukayo Saka representing the club’s future identity. He advocates against selling young talent for financial gain, believing this would undermine the project’s continuity. Defensively, potential issues at right-back could require attention if injuries persist, though Keown remains optimistic about available options.
Keown believes the psychological advantage of having already won the league could paradoxically benefit Arsenal’s title defence. With the pressure of pursuit removed, he expects the team to play with greater confidence and attacking intent. Furthermore, Keown dismisses any notion that Arsenal must choose between Premier League and Champions League success, urging the squad to maintain ambition across all competitions.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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