Former Arsenal player Martin Keown criticized manager Unai Emery for starting teenager Matteo Guendouzi in the club’s Premier League opener against Manchester City. Keown praised the 19-year old’s performance but said that Emery made a wrong decision in starting him.
Keown said, “Arsenal still haven’t addressed the issues in midfield. The fans have been waiting for many years for a top quality, experienced central midfielder but against Man City, they started a 19-year-old from the French second division.
Starting Matteo Guendouzi felt like something Arsene Wenger would do. I am not criticising Guendouzi’s performance. He gave a gallant display and Unai Emery clearly thought he showed enough fight and determination in pre-season to warrant starting over Lucas Torreira. But City made life uncomfortable for Guendouzi at times and I did not feel it was the right game to expose such a young player.”
Keown also said that Arsenal would be beaten by Chelsea this weekend. He said, “Both teams have had big changes this summer but of the two sides, Chelsea look the more settled. I can see them winning 1-0.”
Arsenal play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.
