MX23RW : Wednesday, February 5 09:41:36| >> :60:1309:1309:

Martin Keown 'understands Unai Emery appointment'

Keown 'understands Emery appointment'
Former Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown 'would have loved' to have seen an ex-Gunner take charge this summer, but accepts that it "would have been a huge leap of faith".

Former Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown has said that he 'would have loved' to have seen an ex-Gunner take charge of the club this summer, but has accepted that it "would have been a huge leap of faith".

Mikel Arteta had been linked with the post following Arsene Wenger's exit, while Patrick Vieira was also believed to be under consideration.

Former Paris Saint-Germain manager Unai Emery was ultimately appointed, however, and Keown has suggested that looking to an experienced option was the right call.

"I would love to see a former Arsenal player in charge but appointing Patrick Vieira or Mikel Arteta would have been a huge leap of faith given neither has managed in Europe," Keown told the Daily Mail.

"[Ivan] Gazidis was also impressed by Emery's analysis of every player and I am intrigued to see how he tries to cure Arsenal's defensive ills."

Arsenal finished sixth in the Premier League table last season - losing 13 of their 38 matches.

ID:326737: cacheID:326737:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2270:
Written by
Matt Law
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Paris Saint-Germain manager Unai Emery speaks at a press conference on January 3, 2017
Read Next:
Wright "very pleased" with Emery appointment
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Chelsea24127547311643
5Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2494114242031
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham2476112946-1727
16Everton236892328-526
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!