Keown: Arsenal Shouldn't Rush for New Centre-Back Amid Saliba Injury
Martin Keown insists Arsenal do not need to rush into the market for a new centre-back, even with William Saliba facing a lengthy spell out.
The France international aggravated a back problem at the World Cup and is expected to miss a significant chunk of the season, sparking a wave of links to central defenders across Europe. Names have flown around: former Tottenham captain Cristian Romero before his move to Atletico Madrid, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, and Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah among them.
Keown is unconvinced any of them are necessary.
Keown backs Mosquera and Salmon
The former Arsenal defender has been struck by what he’s seen in pre-season from Cristhian Mosquera and teenager Marli Salmon, and believes Mikel Arteta already has the tools to cope.
“Salmon looked really good in the friendly game against Como, he's progressing nicely,” Keown told football.london at TNT Sports' 'Levels' Trophy Cabinet pop-up in London. “Mosquera for me also looked really sharp in that match. I don't think there's a necessity to buy a central defender, I think that's an area they can cope with.”
Arsenal’s recruitment links suggest the club are at least exploring options, but Keown views that as a luxury rather than a need.
“I'm hearing that they are being linked with various central defenders so maybe they want to strengthen in that area [but] defending-wise, [Riccardo] Calafiori can also pop into there, [Piero] Hincapie can do that. All left-footed. So that area looks particularly strong for Arsenal.”
The message is clear: depth is there, and it is versatile.
Replacing Saliba–Gabriel? Tough, but not impossible
Keown knows better than most what a settled centre-back pairing can do for a title-chasing side. He freely admits the understanding between Saliba and Gabriel will be hard to replicate.
“[Arsenal will miss] the combination they’ve got, because those two players (Saliba and Gabriel) really enjoy playing with one another,” he said.
Yet he sees Mosquera as ready to step into the void. The 22-year-old made 20 league appearances last season and earned a senior Spain debut off the back of his form. When thrown into the fire at Anfield, Keown felt he showed his true level almost instantly.
“Although Mosquera, I think after four minutes he came on at Anfield last year and showed us how good he was, and he's even better in pre-season this year so I think Saliba is not available, he starts the season.”
For Keown, that’s not a gamble. It’s the logical next step.
Lewis-Skelly interest no cause for panic
The concern around Arsenal hasn’t stopped at centre-back. Reports have linked Myles Lewis-Skelly with a move away, with Chelsea and Manchester United both mentioned as admirers.
Keown isn’t rattled.
Lewis-Skelly, who emerged from full-back into midfield late last season, featured and scored in the midweek friendly against Como, underlining his growing influence. With Bruno Guimaraes arriving to stiffen competition in the middle of the pitch, Arteta’s options in that area look as fierce as ever.
Keown recognises that Arsenal will need every one of their top talents if they are to mount another title charge, but he doesn’t see Lewis-Skelly’s situation as a looming crisis. Instead, he frames the entire campaign in different terms.
Not defending a title – chasing another
For Keown, the mindset is everything. Arsenal, he says, cannot afford to drift into the season thinking about defending what they already have.
“You’ve got to go and win it again, it’s not about defending it,” he said. “You're very proud of winning it but maybe this now opens up a door for confidence, for the handbrake to come off a bit, to believe in themselves.”
The landscape around them has shifted. The long shadow of Manchester City still hangs over the division, but the Premier League no longer feels quite as locked down.
“Because obviously Man City had a stranglehold on the Premier League for quite a few years, but there have been some huge changes now with all the new managers coming in.
“Arteta is now probably one of the most secure managers in the Premier League and has probably been there longer than almost anybody else. Finishing in second place on three occasions and then winning it so they really are in good form to go and [win it again].”
Keown sees stability in the dugout, emerging depth at the back, fresh competition in midfield and a squad that has already proved it can go the distance. The question now is not whether Arsenal can cope without Saliba for a spell, but whether this group is ready to turn one title into an era.
