Arsenal were stunned by Bournemouth and the defeat derailed their Premier League title race, but Martin Keown felt Max Dowman was underutilized on Saturday.
Max Dauman and Arsenal were shocked by Saturday’s game against Bournemouth
Manager Martin Keown criticized Arsenal players for not “mixing the game up enough” in their defeat to Bournemouth, and accused Arsenal players of not finding Max Dauman enough.
The Gunners suffered a lackluster display at lunchtime on Saturday, losing for the third time in four games. This defeat opened the door for Manchester City to take control of the Premier League, thus casting serious doubt on their title as champions.
Victory for Alex Scott’s Bournemouth means Pep Guardiola’s side are in control of their own destiny, even as boos rang out at the Emirates at full-time. Arsenal desperately looked for a winner and an equalizer in the second 45 minutes.
Dauman, who recently became the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer, was highly rated and Keown was adamant his team-mates should have spotted him more as Arsenal looked to save the day.
The former Gunner told TNT Sport: “Arsenal made adjustments to their play, but things never changed. Then Arsenal couldn’t develop that play into their midfield players. Even when Dauman came in, we were all shouting for him to give us the ball, but they didn’t control the ball well enough in midfield. It’s all down to Bournemouth and Arsenal not mixing their game enough.”
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Arsenal’s defeat came just eight days before they traveled to the Etihad to face City. Mikel Arteta is yet to record a win on Manchester’s blue side since taking charge of the north London side. If they lose, the Gunners could drop to second place within two weeks.
Arsenal have already seen their quadruple dreams become double. They defeated rivals City in the Carabao Cup final and lost to Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup. This leaves Arsenal facing another late-season collapse, but Keown has called on his senior players to prevent it.
Arsenal must bounce back after defeat (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
“Now people have to stand up,” he said. “The pressure is going to be on so the personalities have to come forward and the leaders have to emerge. Next up in the Premier League is Manchester City and we have to play the Champions League in midweek to keep the gears of this season from going out of whack, so it’s still in your hands.”
Arsenal’s next match is against Sporting Lisbon, followed by City, which could decide the fate of the Premier League title.
Arteta said after the defeat against Bournemouth: “It’s going to hurt. They’ve got to take it on the chin. If we don’t get up and go and fight, we’re out. It’s a big week.”
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