In the aftermath of Arsenal’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Portsmouth on Monday evening, Football FanCast spoke exclusively to Martin Keown.
The Gunners legend was at St George’s Park in Burton following the launch of the FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards for 2020, which aims to celebrate the diligent work of those individuals who selflessly give up their time to make significant contributions to grassroots football.
“It’s endorsing the good work of the volunteers of our game, the lifeblood of football, people who give up their time in local communities,” Keown noted, evidently humbled by the commitment and tenacity of football’s unsung heroes.
Fresh off the back of an appearance on BT Sport to cover Arsenal’s 5th round FA Cup win on Monday, Keown reflected on what he saw during proceedings.
“It was a disappointing first half and the Sokratis goal came just in the nick of time. It’s been a difficult time for Arsenal after the Europa League upset. It (European exit) seemed to carry over into the performance. It’s been a bit of a mystery because Arsenal haven’t played well for a complete 90 minutes yet, with the exception of the 2-0 win over Man United. It was very much like that last night: they came alive in the second half, just in the nick of time as it looked like Portsmouth might be able to do something. But Arsenal gave them a footballing lesson in the second half.”
Mikel Arteta’s decision to include Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock, Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Martinelli offered a glimpse into the future for Arsenal supporters, but the inclusion of a more experienced talent also caught the eye.
Pablo Mari made his debut for the club following his January arrival from Flamengo, with the Spaniard playing the full 90 minutes alongside David Luiz in central defence.
It was a promising display which rightfully earned esteemed praise both from his manager and Keown.
“I think he was solid – a sound performance. Mari looked very good in possession but you could clearly see he was quite tired at the end. He came with an injury so it was a good introduction to play in the FA Cup. He wasn’t really tested in the second-half but he’s a big lad, good in the air and very technical in possession. He just needs more time to settle in. Let’s see if Arsenal take up the option to buy because that’s an area they need to strengthen.”
Arsenal have the option to purchase the Spaniard on a permanent basis for just £8m in the summer which, in the current climate, is a snip for a high quality ball-playing central defender.
If his performance against Portsmouth was anything to go by, Arteta and the rest of the club’s hierarchy are unlikely to need an inquisition to determine whether they should be triggering that clause.
Options at centre-back are relatively extensive for the 37-year-old manager but injury problems have prevented him from laying stark foundations for the future.
Rob Holding, a player of whom plenty is expected of in north London, is currently sidelined while Calum Chambers is also absent and in danger of letting his career get away from him at 25 years of age.
Public enemy number one Shkodran Mustafi, meanwhile, has salvaged a sense of credibility in recent weeks during a run of five consecutive Premier League starts, leaving Keown impressed by the mentality he’s shown.
“Mustafi has come back in and shown a lot of character and personality although I still feel the manager will want to strengthen in that area. Then it’s a case of deciding if David Luiz is going to be the leader at the back. Are they going to build around him or do they want to go in a different direction?”
With the club firmly embedded in a testing transition period, there are major, long-term decisions to be made in the summer window. As Keown alludes to, the futures of senior players such as Luiz and Mustafi are naturally under the greatest scrutiny, and the final months of the season could effectively represent an ongoing audition for a place in Arteta’s revolutionised Arsenal side.
“I get the feeling that everybody is on trial. He’s got to sift through the players. Every player gets an opportunity then he decides who stays and who goes. I think exiting the Europa League accelerates the process of discovering who is good enough to be there and who isn’t.”
Two players have already sparkled and left Keown in awe, though, namely Martinelli and Saka, who are collectively displaying a model level of professionalism despite their lack of senior experience.
“Those two have been leading the way. Martinelli’s often somebody that sets the tone for the work-rate of the team. He doesn’t wait for a senior player to show him how to behave. Saka’s exactly the same so Arsenal are very strong down that left hand side.”
Saka’s brilliant form as a makeshift full-back has been one of the most intriguing sub plots of the season, one prompting discussion of an unlikely call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Ultimately the decision rests with the Three Lions boss, but Keown recognises the youngster’s talent and believes he, along with Manchester City prodigy Phil Foden, has handed the manager a welcome dilemma.
“It used to be a given that if you were a young player in the Arsenal first team for any length of time then England comes calling. He can’t be that far away and it’s going to be very interesting. Foden is another one, he was very impressive at the weekend. I know he’s not getting many minutes for Man City but he’s clearly a bit special for me. Gareth Southgate might need to fast-track him in there and make an exception despite the fact he’s not playing that much for City. Saka is another one who’s got fantastic ability.
“I’m sure Southgate will want to involve these young men as soon as possible but there’s obviously a pecking order. McNeil’s done very well and plays for the U21s, so if Saka was to go in he’d probably have to leapfrog one or two players and Southgate doesn’t want to affect the confidence of other people that are maybe in front of him. He’s a special talent and I think he’s going to go all the way, we’re looking at a really top player for the future. Whether he turns out for England soon remains to be seen. That’s a decision for Southgate but it’s good news for the manager either way.”
Saka is a left-winger by trade and will face stern competition for a place in the England setup. Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are all excellent inside forwards when cutting in from the left, but perhaps the Arsenal academy product can offer something different as a naturally left-footed option.
The aforementioned trio are all distinctly renowned for their elite attacking quality yet between them there is barely a semblance of defensive intuition.
Saka’s recent spell at wing-back, however, could offer him an advantage over the other English wide players in the future.
“When he plays as a winger he’ll be able to tuck back up and be defensively minded. This period playing full-back will really develop and enhance him as a player. Playing at full-back will make him a much better all-round player.”
Arteta’s selection policy in recent weeks, which has seen Saka become an integral player far quicker than most would have anticipated, attests to his commitment to integrating young players and selecting his side on merit rather than reputation or experience.
The great Arsenal sides throughout history are synonymous with free-flowing, aesthetically appealing football, but equally the promotion of youngsters has been an integral component of the club’s identity.
Another golden generation is threatening to emerge, and Arteta could be a major beneficiary as he bids to transform a club he acutely understands from his playing career.
“It’s interesting because Arsenal have had a big history of young players coming through. If you look back into the 70s it was a big Irish contingent, the likes of O’Leary, Liam Brady and Graham Wicks. I was fortunate I came through an incredible group back in the 80s with Tony Adams, Paul Merson and Niall Quinn.
“If you look at the way the club is structured, when the academy starts to produce good players it usually links to the success of the club. It’s always good to have a sprinkling of players coming through the academy who understand the club: who you are, where you are and what you represent.”
“He understands the size of the club and how special it is. I always found Arsenal very special and classy. I think the manager is aware of the expectations having been a player. All the successful teams up and down the years have had a sprinkling of homegrown players. The fans identify with those players and also it demonstrates that there’s a possible journey for the next generation when they see these stars, the Martinellis and the Sakas. It increases the number of players wanting to sign for Arsenal’s academy.”
Who you are, where you are and what you represent. David Rocastle’s profound words remain a mantra for the Arsenal youngsters to live by.
Speaking as an ambassador for the FA and McDonald’s Grassroot Football Awards, former England and Arsenal defender Martin Keown was launching the 2020 McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards, ran in partnership with the four UK FAs. To nominate a grassroots football club or volunteer go to www.mcdonalds.co.uk/awards.