Former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown is convinced the Gunners’ main summer transfer target Jamie Vardy will prove to be a huge hit at the Emirates.
“If you look at Vardy and you look at what Arsenal don’t have down the middle with their strikers – someone who likes to run behind a defence – then if you feed him he’s a real handful and as good as anyone. He’d be a player who would strengthen Arsenal and give them more variation to their play which they lack down that central area.”
In an exclusive interview with 888sport the respected pundit is quick to point out that it’s not only new blood that is needed if last year’s runners-up are to go one better in 2016/17. Securing Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to new deals is of the utmost importance too. He then turns his attention to the 66 year old man in the technical area, a coach credited with transforming Keown from a very good defender into a great one while winning three league titles under him in the process.
As Mourinho positions himself as the new king of Old Trafford while Pep and Conte prepare to breathe fresh life into Manchester City and Chelsea, might Arsene Wenger look a touch long in the tooth in comparison?
“He manages himself very well and has a good support team around him which is key. He will be particularly hurt that Arsenal didn’t win the league last year and it will just make him stronger and more determined to win the following season regardless of who his opponents are. There are two managers there in Guardiola and Mourinho who will be dealing with new situations and he needs to steal a march on them”
Another prominent figure in north London who will be hoping to capitalise on the distractions of his peers is Theo Walcott who finds himself kicking his heels this summer after being overlooked for Roy Hodgson’s Euro squad. Keown – a player known throughout his distinguished career for his self-improvement and whole-hearted commitment – would be greatly disappointed if the winger is not using that time wisely.
“I should imagine he’ll have a lot to ponder this summer but Theo is the type to come back stronger and when they do those sprint tests in pre-season he’ll be quickest because he’ll be out there now. If he isn’t then he’s making a mistake because he needs to catch up in this time to make sure he’s ahead of the game in a month or so’s time.”
“Walcott needs to be playing more regularly and prove to Arsene Wenger that he should be a starter in that team. He hasn’t done that in over ten years though there has been spells of fantastic performances.”
Staying with the club where Keown scared forwards witless for nearly a decade but incorporating England’s Euro campaign into the equation, talk inevitably settles on Jack Wilshere’s controversial inclusion in the final 23. After playing just 141 minutes of Premier League football last season was it right that the injury-plagued midfielder was chosen ahead of Leicester’s Danny Drinkwater?
“You leave that door open for such a special talent. Last year against Slovenia he was absolutely outstanding and scored two goals. That loomed very large in the mind of Roy Hodgson to give him every opportunity to get ready for this tournament. There is no way that he’s one hundred per cent fit and it’s up to Roy to get him fit through the tournament. He’s a big player we need.”
Keown’s no-nonsense partnership with Tony Adams has rightfully gone down in legend helping his club win numerous trophies and securing the tag of Invincibles along the way. His 43 caps for England meanwhile is a testament to his defensive attributes that – on the surface at least – contrast with the ball-playing midfielder-at-the-back style favoured by his modern successor John Stones. Is Keown among the critics of the young Everton centre-back who many believe needs to cut out the risky stuff and concentrate on the basics?
“His best performance was against Australia where he looked a lot more assured. Though I enjoy seeing pretty football as a defender I expect to see that part of the game ironed out so he makes it to the top of the tree. I think Rio Ferdinand came in as a ball-playing centre-half and he had to work quite hard not to turn his back on the ball and make sure he was right for crosses. He went through this period and came out the other side and I think Stones can do the same.”
Stones’ display against Australia aside, there was all-too-few positives to take from England’s recent batch of friendlies as they prepare themselves for a summer competing against Europe’s elite. As Roy tried out various systems and personnel, it was tempting to think that England’s preparations have only thrown up more questions than answers. Keown veers towards optimism and is of a similar opinion.
“They kept winning and that’s a nice habit to have. They looked compact but over the course of the three friendlies I don’t feel we’ve found the balance yet between being hard to beat and offering a threat on the break. We didn’t necessarily use the players in the right way and in the last match against Portugal it was slow and robotic though the full backs were outstanding. It didn’t work with Vardy and Kane was hardly in the game. I don’t feel Rooney is the one who should be playing off the front. So there’s a lot of food for thought. The key thing for Roy is to select the best eleven in their best positions. If we get that right we could be quite successful at the Euros.”
