Martin Keown has praised Mikel Arteta’s decision to field Thomas Partey as a holding midfielder in his club’s game against Burnley yesterday.
The former Gunner has been outspoken about his former club in recent times.
He has hardly had anything positive to say about them as they struggled for form.
The Gunners made a terrible start to this season, however, they have now won back-to-back games against Norwich and Burnley now.
A scoreline of just 1-0 has won both matches, however, it is a significant improvement to their start to this campaign that saw them lose three games, concede nine goals and score none.
Partey returned to the starting XI in the match against the Clarets and the Ghanaian was in fine form as he helped shield the Arsenal defence from Burnley’s attack.
He helped the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard to thrive in attacking roles upfront.
Keown was impressed and praised Arteta for that tactical decision.
“The use of Partey was really intelligent today, getting him in front of the back four so he can compete”, Keown said on BBC’s Match of the Day as quoted by Football London.
“Partey just sitting in front and then you can go and play your football with that base.
“If I had been in this back four today I would have wanted Partey challenging for that ball and then the central defenders can just mop up nicely.
“Ben White looking the part here because he is getting the best use out of the players in front of him.”
I agree it was a good decision,you could see Ramsdale always trying to find TP,but with TP playing as DM/pivot it created another problem,I thought that there was too much of a gap between TP and ESR and MØ, that’s when we needed a midfielder that would drop a bit deeper and carry the ball forwards/up the pitch.
Problem i have is that Burnley knew what to do when we had the ball at the back and made us look like we didn’t.
Suppose when we get more games in we should look better , thats the hope any how.
Im still not convinced we can play out from the back with any confidence.
I also welcome the 4-3-3 format cuz it allows the inclusion of both ESR & Odegaard. And still leaves room 4 Pepe & Saka 2 operate up top. That’s enough creativity in abundance. Should we have a clinical finisher 2 complement them, here comes top4 at the least.
Now that the defence,at least our first choice defence, has been sorted out, we MOST need a hardworking and clinical striker, as Auba is about as much use as a chocolate teapot where workrate and desire are concerned.
Against Norwich he had his only so far game where he showed some desire.
But he was once again a passenger against Burnley and I seriously do not see MA letting this continue without someone else in his place. Nor should he let it continue, as Auba is fast turning into Ozil for invisibility and lack of desire and influence on the pitch.
And incredibly, this man is club captain. About the single worst choice possible, IMO.
I have NEVER been able to abide lazy players, as they cheat the club , we fans, themselves, their teammates and their profession! I only wish many more fans would consistently call these cheats out, for the parasites they are.
All supporters should be heartened by the fight and spirit of this very young team against the most physical team in the league. Can we be better, of course but remember that some of this side are very new to the PL and will need time to adapt to each other. I do think that Saka needs a break as he risks a burn out.
Impressed with the way the substitutes immediately got to grips in the final stages,