Kieran Tierney and Gabriel Martinelli were in action for Arsenal in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Arsenal legend made the comments about the Celtic left-back following the Scotland international’s performance against Vitoria de Guimaraes at the Emirates Stadium in North London in Europa League Group F on Thursday evening.
According to WhoScored, the 22-year-old played one key pass, had a pass accuracy of 88.2%, won one header, took 79 touches, attempted one dribble, and made one tackle and two interceptions.
Signed from Scottish Premiership giants Celtic in the summer transfer window, Tierney has played twice in the Europa League and once in the EFL Cup for the Gunners so far this season, according to WhoScored.
Injury issues have affected Tierney at Arsenal so far this season, but Keown believes that the Scottish youngster is ready to make his debut in the Premier League during the Gunners’ match against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in North London this weekend.
Keown has also given his take on 18-year-old forward Gabriel Martinelli, who scored for Arsenal on Thursday.
Keown said on BT Sport 2 (10:08pm, October 24, 2019): “Tierney needs to play now. Kolasinac is a bit of a disappointment in the final third. I think he can bring something extra to the team.
“He had cramp at the end of the match because he is not quite ready, but he is only going to get ready when he is playing competitive games in the first team.”
Keown said about Martinelli: “If I was playing against him, I would be quite happy to see him out wide. When he stays central, he makes really good movements. He has got that exuberance of a young player.
“He maybe wants to do too much, at one time. But when he stays central and makes those moves, he’s definitely going to be a top player. £6.5 million by the way, that is a great bit of business.”
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