Martin Keown says he is baffled by Mikel Arteta’s faith in one Arsenal player

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Martin Keown has claimed in his Daily Mail column that he is “baffled” by Mikel Arteta’s continued faith in Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – following Sunday’s dismal 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at The Emirates.

Arsenal suffered a heavy defeat to Jurgen Klopp’s side as they capitulated in the second half. Diogo Jota came off the bench to score an excellent brace for Liverpool – while Mo Salah continued his brilliant scoring form with his 26th of the season.

The win for Liverpool sees them re-enter the discussions for a top-four finish, after Chelsea suffered defeat and Tottenham failed to beat Newcastle. Arsenal, meanwhile, remain in tenth but are on level points with eleventh-placed Leeds United.

Arsenal legend Keown watched on and stated in his column after the match that he cannot understand why Arteta continues to select captain Aubameyang – when Gabriel Martinelli is fit and available to start for the North London side.

“Should Arteta not be dropping him [Aubameyang] for performing as poorly as he did against Liverpool? If he sticks with him, he risks losing the respect of the group,” Keown said. “It’s time to bring in 19-year-old Gabriel Martinelli.

“He is too good to be sitting on the bench. His team-mates see him in training and know what he can do. They will be baffled by his continued absence. I know I am. Use him on the left. Bukayo Saka on the right. Start Emile Smith-Rowe.”

TBR’s view – Keown is bang on, but is Arteta resting Martinelli?

Arsenal’s chances of finishing in the Champions League are over. There is little to play for in the Premier League now, especially with the likes of Spurs, West Ham, Everton, Liverpool and Chelsea fighting for fourth.

It means that whoever does not finish fourth, will finish in fifth and sixth and qualify for the Europa League. So, the Europa League now needs to be the main focus – winning it provides Champions League qualification.

Arsenal have a real chance to do that and that might be the reason why Arteta has chosen to start Aubameyang on Saturday. Martinelli could get his chance to start on Thursday night against Slavia Prague.