Arsenal icon sheds light on Mikel Arteta 'nightmare' behind the scenes

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has revealed his concerns about the ‘nightmare behind the scenes’ as the Gunners strive to finally win the Premier League title again. Despite finishing runners-up to Manchester City in the previous two campaigns, Mikel Arteta’s squad have not dominated the current season, sitting behind Liverpool who’ve excelled under new boss Arne Slot.

On New Year’s Day, Arsenal managed a crucial 3-1 victory over Brentford, closing the six-point distance from Liverpool, although the Merseyside club still holds a game in hand. Keown, speaking as a pundit for TNT Sports, pointed to the injuries sustained by stars like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka as causes of turmoil within the club, suggesting that these challenges require Arsenal to show greater consistency on the pitch.

Acknowledging that the team isn’t far from title contention, the ex-Arsenal defender said that more formidable performance levels are essential for Arsenal to claim trophies. “It has been a tricky start to this season with ill-discipline, injuries, Odegaard was a big one and now Saka,” Keown reflected.

“It has been a nightmare behind the scenes.

“Arteta is trying to make the best of it and there is still time to recover. It has been a difficult journey for Arsenal this season. They haven’t had that consistency. They need to be more creative.

“Their stats from last season are almost the same as this season, just four points fewer, same goals conceded, a goal less scored. They’re on course but they’ve got to be better than they are to be champions. That’s the task ahead.”

Keown added: “I was disappointed Chelsea fell away in the last two games. A three-horse race makes it better. But the quality of [Luis] Diaz, [Cody] Gakpo up top, Arsenal need to find a little bit more up top. If Arsenal’s front three can score more goals… they really need to turn up and the pressure is on them tonight.”

Following Arsenal’s victory over the Bees, where they bounced back after going a goal down, Keown was heartened to see signs of resilience in his former side. Reflecting on the outcome, he said: “Arsenal picked up the intensity, that is a strong signal from the team,” and confirmed, “They are alive and kicking, still alive in this title race. In the second half, they showed their class. It was really important for them to win tonight and get the job done.”

Manager Mikel Arteta is also keeping faith with Arsenal’s chances in the Premier League, sensing vulnerabilities among competitors and aiming to keep the pressure on leaders Slot and his squad. Arteta believes Liverpool will drop more points, allowing Arsenal to close down the gap and intensify the title challenge.

Arteta declared: “We have to continue to be like a hammer, be there every day, every day, and if someone wins all the matches then congratulate them and then go to the next season. But if they don’t – which in history it hasn’t happened – then we will be there.”