The former Arsenal defender has been speaking about his old club this week.
Martin Keown
Arsenal have been struggling to field a strong defence this season. The Gunners have struggled with injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel – leaving the club to use summer signing Rob Holding a lot earlier than would have been expected.
The youngster has adapted well, but big names are needed.
Germany’s Shkodran Mustafi reacts after missing a chance to score
Two that have been linked are Shkodran Mustafi and Jonny Evans. It now appears the former is inbound, with a deal set to be announced this weekend.
But the prices being quoted for the pair have left Arsenal struggling this summer.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown told the Daily Mail this week why he feels Arsenal are priced up in the transfer market:
“We have heard about Valencia wanting £42m for Shkodran Mustafi and West Brom putting a £25m price tag on Jonny Evans, and you can be sure that Wenger will not want to pay silly money for a player who isn’t really being coveted by other clubs.
“These clubs are putting huge price-tags on their players because they understand Arsenal’s situation.”
Arsenal’s Calum Chambers scores their third goal
The defensive situation has also seen a clear choice be made regarding Calum Chambers. Holding has come in and immediately replaced him and Chambers is now said to be available for loan.
Keown believes this is the best course of action for the player, stating:
“Clearly he’s not completely confident in Calum Chambers’ ability.
“The 21-year-old is being made available for loan, and I think this is a good idea as he is clearly talented but needs more playing time. But his confidence will have taken a huge dent by seeing the younger Holding starting ahead of him, and if there’s one thing Wenger will always do it is what’s best for the player.”
Burnley’s Scott Arfield in action with Arsenal’s Calum Chambers
With Mustafi heading in Holding is now likely to drop out of the starting XI and when the senior players return from injury he will fall further down the pecking order.
As for Chambers, he looks likely to be elsewhere.
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