Tribal Football

Keown: Arsenal never needed new No9; that's lazy journalism

Tribal Football
Keown: Arsenal never needed new No9; that's lazy journalism
Keown: Arsenal never needed new No9; that's lazy journalismFlashscore
Keown was asked about whether the Gunners had to go out and sign a world class center forward.

However, he felt that using Kai Havertz as a false nine was working wonders for Mikel Arteta's team.

Advertisement
Advertisement

He stated on TNT Sports: Well, I thought it was lazy journalism. I was doing a game, I was asked a question, 'Oh when Arsenal didn't get the goals they needed against West Ham, 30 shots at goal, no goal and everyone was jumping on the bandwagon saying they haven't got a striker.'

I thought, well, actually what they need to do is work better with the ones they've got and find solutions. We've seen Saka now scoring off his right foot in quick succession, next one, hits it with his left.

It was all becoming a bit too predictable and I think that's changed now, they've become unpredictable in how they do it. They keep changing, slightly the way that they're playing, the structure of their midfield and I think that's clever."

He added: There's still an opportunity to be successful with what they've got, City did it without a striker for two seasons. Havertz has now started to play his best football, Trossard too they've kind of flip-flopped into that role so the goals are coming in from all directions."