Martin Keown on Arsenal's Centre-Back Situation: No Rush Needed
Martin Keown insists Arsenal do not need to rush into the market for a new centre-back, even with William Saliba facing a lengthy spell out.
The France defender aggravated a back problem at the World Cup and is set to miss a significant chunk of the season, a blow for a side built on the imposing axis of Saliba and Gabriel. Links to central defenders have inevitably followed. So far, Arsenal have been mentioned alongside names such as former Tottenham captain Cristian Romero before his move to Atletico Madrid, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah.
Keown, though, is looking closer to home.
Keown backs Mosquera and Salmon
The former Arsenal defender has been struck by what he has seen in pre-season from Cristhian Mosquera and teenager Marli Salmon and believes Mikel Arteta already has the depth he needs.
“Salmon looked really good in the friendly game against Como, he's progressing nicely,” Keown told football.london at TNT Sports’ ‘Levels’ Trophy Cabinet pop-up in London. “Mosquera for me also looked really sharp in that match. I don't think there's a necessity to buy a central defender, I think that's an area they can cope with.”
The transfer rumour mill will keep turning, but Keown sees plenty of internal solutions.
“I'm hearing that they are being linked with various central defenders so maybe they want to strengthen in that area [but] defending-wise, [Riccardo] Calafiori can also pop into there, [Piero] Hincapie can do that. All left-footed. So that area looks particularly strong for Arsenal.”
Mosquera, 22, already has a foothold in the squad. He made 20 league appearances last season and earned a senior Spain debut on the back of his club form. When Arteta has turned to him in friendlies, he has looked assured again.
The one thing Arsenal cannot simply replicate is the chemistry between Saliba and Gabriel. Keown accepts that.
“[Arsenal will miss] the combination they’ve got, because those two players (Saliba and Gabriel) really enjoy playing with one another,” he said. The solution, in his eyes, is clear. “Although Mosquera, I think after four minutes he came on at Anfield last year and showed us how good he was, and he's even better in pre-season this year so I think Saliba is not available, he starts the season.”
For Keown, Mosquera is not just cover. He is the man to step in.
Lewis-Skelly links fail to rattle Keown
The concern is not limited to centre-back. Reports have surfaced over Myles Lewis-Skelly’s future, with the England youth international mentioned as a possible target for Chelsea and Manchester United.
Keown is not panicking there either.
Lewis-Skelly played and scored in the midweek friendly against Como and has already shown his versatility, stepping forward from full-back into midfield late last season. Now he faces fresh competition after the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes, who instantly raises the level in the middle of the pitch.
Keown sees that as exactly what a title-chasing squad should look like: stacked with options, pushing each other.
He also rejects the idea that Arsenal’s task is to “defend” anything. The mentality, he insists, has to be different.
“You’ve got to go and win it again, it’s not about defending it,” he said. “You're very proud of winning it but maybe this now opens up a door for confidence, for the handbrake to come off a bit, to believe in themselves.”
Manchester City’s dominance framed the last era. Arsenal’s challenge is to shape the next one.
“Because obviously Man City had a stranglehold on the Premier League for quite a few years, but there have been some huge changes now with all the new managers coming in.
“Arteta is now probably one of the most secure managers in the Premier League and has probably been there longer than almost anybody else. Finishing in second place on three occasions and then winning it so they really are in good form to go and [win it again].”
Saliba’s injury might have jolted the fanbase. Keown’s message is different: Arsenal have grown into a squad that expects to absorb setbacks and still go hunting for the title.
