ARSENAL fans must back Mikel Arteta and accept the club must ‘go backward to go forward’, according to club icon Martin Keown.
The Gunners currently sit 15th in the Premier League and are enduring their worst start to a season since 1974-75.
Arsenal must back Arteta to get themselves moving forward again, says club legend Martin KeownCredit: Reuters
Keown has given his backing to Arsenal boss Mikel ArtetaCredit: PA:Press Association
But even with just ONE win in their last nine matches, Keown believes Arteta has shown he can take the club forward in the long run and praised technical director Edu for publicly backing the young boss.
Keown, who played 449 games and won seven major trophies for the Gunners, said: “I think it is not a time for panic… Arteta has shown he can win.
“People would always say: ‘Trust in Wenger’. Now we need to do that with Arteta.
“He wants to make changes and sometimes, when you make changes, you go backward first before you can go forward.
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“The confidence has been massively dented by results, so it is a difficult time now.
“I think it came as a bit of a shock to the manager how they were dismantled by Aston Villa and they haven’t really recovered.
“He needs to be backed. I am really pleased Edu is speaking now in support of the manager – he should have spoken far sooner.
“I think if the fans were all allowed back in by some miracle next week, they would be behind the manager.”
Keown continued by saying the ‘transfer window can’t come soon enough’ for Arteta, with Arsenal still desperate for midfield reinforcements – despite top target Dominik Szoboszlai joining RB Leipzig.
The ex-England defender added: “The long-term vision [Arteta] has for the team in terms of how they want to play was affecting the short-term results.
“They needed to go back to a back five but then you can’t be as creative.
“I do feel that the the transfer window can’t come soon enough for him.
“The midfield area is still a problem. He needs Thomas Partey back and he also needs another top-class midfielder to play along him.
“You look at Hojbjerg at Spurs and you think: ‘Why were Spurs the only team going after him?’
“He is a good player who has made a difference.
“Until he can control the midfield, he is not going to be able to play the back-four system he wants.”
Arsenal have struggled mightily this season and sit 15th in the Premier LeagueCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
Keown wants Arsenal players to show more ‘character and personality’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Keown went on to say poor discipline and a lack of character are hampering Arsenal’s chances of being successful.
He concluded: “The ill-discipline is costing them at the moment.
“And Willian looks like he is taking a holiday since he has been there.
“You need character and personality. It is often about how you respond to that adversity.
“It should hurt to the core when you get beaten.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
