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Topics: Martin Keown, Arsenal, Europa League, Kieran Tierney, Aaron Ramsdale
Ryan Smart
Topics: Martin Keown, Arsenal, Europa League, Kieran Tierney, Aaron Ramsdale
Arsenal legend Martin Keown explained why he has shocked by one of the decisions made by the Gunners during their 2-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Thursday.
The Gunners went into their Europa League clash in the Netherlands knowing a point would be enough to top their group.
However, they were defeated by goals from Joey Veerman and Luuk de Jong, whilst Cody Gakpo had a strike ruled out for offside.
It was a disappointing evening for Arsenal, who had just three shots on target over the 90 minutes.
The defeat also ends a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions, which stretched back to September 8. The Gunners won eight of the nine games in that time period.
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A win in their final group game against Zurich at the Emirates Stadium, however, would clinch top spot, whilst a draw would be enough if PSV fail to beat Bodø/Glimt in Norway.
But there was no doubting that this was a disappointing result for Arsenal - and Keown picked out one part of their game that he didn't like.
Speaking on BT Sport, Keown discussed the performance produced by former Barcelona forward De Jong.
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He also described his surprise at seeing the 6ft 2in striker marked by Arsenal's Kieran Tierney at corners. The Scotland star stands at around 5ft 10in.
Keown explained: "For the second goal, Tierney picks up De Jong from the corner, and straight away I'm screaming at the TV, because he shouldn't be the one marking him.
"[Aaron] Ramsdale comes, thinking he can cure the problem. But it's a big haymaker from him. It's one of those that needed a straight arm, but it was wild from Ramsdale.
"Tierney doesn't even get off the ground. I don't know why he was marking him. If I'm [Rob] Holding, I would make myself available to help him, but he doesn't do that either."
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Tierney also received a yellow card in the match - one of four Arsenal players to be booked in the second half as the game drifted away from them.
The Gunners will look to bounce back instantly when they host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.
With Manchester City playing on Saturday away at Leicester, Arteta's side may need three points in their fixture to restore their advantage at the top of the table, which currently stands at two points.