Martin Keown has defended Arsenal’s style of play after Peter Schmeichel launched a stinging attack on Mikel Arteta’s team in the wake of their 1-0 defeat at Liverpool.
The former Manchester United and Manchester City goalkeeper branded Arsenal’s football “ugly” and “annoying” following the loss at Anfield before the international break, in which Dominik Szoboszlai’s superb free kick settled an otherwise cagey contest.
Schmeichel went as far as to say he had never wanted a team to win a match more than Liverpool on that occasion, accusing Arteta of stifling his players and relying too heavily on set pieces.
“I don’t want to insult Arsenal but their brand of football is so annoying to watch,” Schmeichel told ViaPlay.
Martin Keown has defended Arsenal’s style of play after Peter Schmeichel launched a stinging attack on Mikel Arteta’s team in the wake of their 1-0 defeat at Liverpool
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“It’s designed to exploit opponents’ mistakes while waiting for set pieces. Then they take their time and take the tempo out of the game.
"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.
"I am absolutely convinced that if Arteta does this, they will win more games.”
Keown, who won three Premier League titles under Arsene Wenger, dismissed those remarks as an overreaction while acknowledging Arsenal must find another gear if they are to compete with Liverpool and Manchester City across the season.
“We want more,” Keown said on talkSPORT.
“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.
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Peter Schmeichel tore into Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta following their defeat to Liverpool
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“I’ve listened to some people, sometimes these ex-players like Peter Schmeichel have said that Arsenal bring something ‘ugly’ to the Premier League.
"I think that’s deranged — what’s he talking about?”
The former England defender also could not resist a jab at his old rival, suggesting Schmeichel had hardly been a poster boy for attacking flair in his own career.
“Was it they changed the back-pass rule in 1992 because it was him that was one of the advocates of that? Everyone kept passing it back to him — that was ugly as well," he said.
Despite defeat at Anfield, Keown argued Arsenal remain well-placed to challenge for honours this season.
“Arsenal are a long way down the line to being successful. I think Arsenal look good right now," he continued.
"It’s not lucky Arsenal anymore, by the way, with all these injuries.
"That will clear up and they’ve now got a squad to go the distance, but Liverpool are still ahead.”
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Martin Keown insists Arsenal are close to winning the big trophies despite criticism from Peter Schmeichel
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Arteta has previously faced criticism for a risk-averse approach in high-stakes games, with Arsenal finishing last season 17 goals behind Liverpool in the league.
Yet the club spent heavily in the summer, adding Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze to sharpen their attack.
The Gunners began their campaign with victories over Manchester United and Leeds and return to Premier League action on Saturday against Nottingham Forest before travelling to Spain for their Champions League opener at Athletic Bilbao.