Keown backs McGuinness for higher level 18 months after Arsenal exit

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Martin Keown told BBC Sport that he believes that teams at a higher level will have been watching Mark McGuinness up against Newcastle on Saturday – 18 months after the defender left Arsenal permanently.

McGuinness is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday. And he has certainly made a big impact on the Owls’ fortunes. Only one side in League One has conceded fewer goals so far this season. And the 22-year-old has twice been named as the club’s player of the month.

McGuinness never got the chance to make his debut for Arsenal. But he has shown what he can do up against Premier League opposition, helping Darren Moore’s side produce one of the upsets of the third round of the FA Cup.

Keown lauds former Arsenal starlet Mark McGuinness

Wednesday won 2-1 against the Magpies at Hillsborough. And McGuinness was colossal at the heart of the back three.

No player won more aerial duels than the Republic of Ireland youth international, according to Whoscored. Meanwhile, he managed a staggering 14 clearances during the game. That was eight more than anyone else on the pitch.

Of course, you can understand why Arsenal were willing to let him join Cardiff in 2021. But after one superb interception on the edge of his own box in stoppage-time on Saturday, McGuinness was lauded by Keown.

“I have to say that’s a fantastic pinch there again from McGuinness. I’m sure there’ll be teams watching from higher up taking a look at this boy,” he told BBC Sport.

The problem for McGuinness was always going to be making that jump to the first-team at the Emirates. And that jump would have only got harder now that Mikel Arteta is threatening to take the Gunners back to the summit of the English game.

Arsenal will hardly rue letting the youngster leave. They have one of the best defences in the country. And that unit should only continue to improve as they gain more experience together.

But there will be fans of Arsenal who will be very interested to see how far McGuinness can go in his career. Keown clearly feels that he is destined for a much higher level.