‘Two good performances’…Martin Keown names Arsenal pair who really impressed him against PSV

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Martin Keown picked out the two Arsenal players who impressed him on Tuesday night as the Gunners rounded off their Champions League group-stage campaign with a draw with PSV Eindhoven.

Keown was speaking on TNT Sports (broadcast on 12/12; 19:44) after Mikel Arteta’s side were pegged back in the second-half after Eddie Nketiah had given the Gunners the lead at the break with a superb finish.

Reiss Nelson and Mohamed Elneny were two of the players who came into the Arsenal side in Eindhoven, with the Gunners already confirmed as group winners.

Martin Keown praises Mohamed Elneny and Reiss Nelson after Arsenal draw

It was Nelson who set up Nketiah’s goal with some brilliant work down Arsenal’s right flank shortly before the break. Meanwhile, Elneny produced the kind of solid display that he is really known for in North London.

Lucy Ward felt on commentary that Nelson was Arsenal’s standout player on the night. But Martin Keown suggested that the Egyptian also deserved credit for his first display in more than a month for Arsenal.

“There were one or two good performances. Nelson particularly, Elneny in midfield,” he told TNT Sports.

“They would have wanted to have won the game but having lost to Aston Villa it was important they didn’t go on a run of losing matches. And I think they can be really proud of their efforts in the Champions League this season.”

Mixed fortunes for Gunners pair

The biggest disappointment of the evening came when Elneny had to come off after going down injured during the second-half. Obviously, he has had to deal with some real setbacks in recent years. So everyone – Arsenal fan or not – will be hoping that he was not forced off with anything serious.

But Nelson really did stake a claim for more game-time. He has had to be really patient lately. But he looked like he was raring to go on Tuesday.

And he will hope that his performance sends a clear message to Arteta ahead of what is going to be a crucial period for the Premier League title contenders.