Unai Emery’s Arsenal reportedly want to sign Harry Maguire from Premier League rivals Leicester City in the summer transfer window.
Martin Keown knows exactly what it takes to succeed as a centre-back at Arsenal. So he is probably the right man to pass judgement on the latest highly-rated defender to be linked with a move to The Gunners – Leicester City’s Harry Maguire.
According to The Sun (1 May, page 54), head coach Unai Emery has demanded a top class centre-half this summer with Getafe’s Djene Dakonam, Everton loanee Kurt Zouma and even Tottenham ace Toby Alderweireld on his wishlist.
And so too is Maguire. The England international has shone since joining Leicester for £17 million two years ago (BBC), combining power and physicality with the excellent technical ability expected of a modern-day defender.
But Keown has been a fan of the 26-year-old for a while now. Back in January 2017, the Gunners legend hailed Maguire’s performance as his Hull City side lost 2-0 at Chelsea, the Sheffield-born defender producing a standout performance to keep Diego Costa quiet.
“It’s as good a central defensive performance as I’ve seen,” Keown said on Match of the Day 2, broadcast on BBC One at 22:30, Sunday 22nd January.
“It’s unusual to see a centre-half try and take on the opposition but he’s got that in his locker and we know he can tackle. He’s quick, he’s strong and honestly I’ve not seen a centre-half play this well.
“Diego Costa knew he was in a game today.”
Maguire would certainly be an upgrade on the likes of Shkodran Mustafi while potentially providing a long-term successor for Laurent Koscielny with injuries taking their toll on the veteran Frenchman.
And he’s already got the seal of approval from a man who won three Premier League titles at the heart of Arsenal’s backline.
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