Arsenal's Centre-Back Situation: Keown's Confident Insights
Martin Keown insists Arsenal do not need to rush into the market for a new centre-back, even with William Saliba set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The France international aggravated a back problem at the World Cup and will miss a significant chunk of the campaign, a blow to the champions’ defensive core. Predictably, the rumour mill has spun into overdrive.
Cristian Romero was floated as a possibility before the former Tottenham captain chose Atletico Madrid. Ezri Konsa’s name has surfaced. So has Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah’s. The message from Keown? Arsenal already have the answers in-house.
Keown backs Mosquera and Salmon
The former Invincible has been closely watching pre-season and has come away impressed by Cristhian Mosquera and 18-year-old Marli Salmon.
“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 club have been heavily linked with defenders across Europe, but Keown sees versatility and depth already built into Mikel Arteta’s squad. He points to Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie as further cover in the heart of defence, both naturally left-footed and both capable of stepping inside from wider roles.
“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.”
Replacing Saliba and Gabriel’s bond
Saliba’s understanding with Gabriel has been one of the pillars of Arteta’s rebuild. That partnership, Keown admits, is not easily replicated.
“[Arsenal will miss] the combination they’ve got, because those two players (Saliba and Gabriel) really enjoy playing with one another,” he said.
Yet he sees Mosquera as ready to step into the gap. The 22-year-old made 20 league appearances last season and earned a senior Spain debut on the back of his Arsenal form. He has backed that up with composed performances in friendlies.
“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.”
In Keown’s eyes, that is not a stopgap. It is a promotion earned.
Lewis-Skelly links fail to rattle Keown
Another storyline around Arsenal’s summer has been the future of Myles Lewis-Skelly. The young England international has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United, just as he has started to establish himself in Arteta’s plans.
Keown is not panicking. Lewis-Skelly played and scored in the midweek friendly against Como, a timely reminder of his value after stepping up from full-back into midfield late last season.
Arsenal have added Bruno Guimaraes to that area of the pitch, raising the standard and the competition. Keown sees that as essential if the club are to mount another title charge, not a threat to the academy graduate’s pathway.
“You’ve got to go and win it again”
For Keown, the mindset inside the dressing room now is crucial. Arsenal are no longer chasing their first title under Arteta; they are hunting another.
“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 has defined the Premier League era Arteta walked into. That grip has loosened, not least because of the managerial upheaval across the division.
“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 would once have felt like a fault line running through Arsenal’s season. Keown sees something different now: a squad built to absorb the shock, a manager entrenched, and a group expected not just to defend a crown, but to go and seize it all over again.
