Martin Keown believes Arsene Wenger would be questioning Mikel Arteta’s decision to start Nuno Tavares ahead of Kieran Tierney for Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle on Saturday.
The Spanish coach made just one change from the team that were hammered by Liverpool at Anfield last time out, with Martin Odegaard replacing Alexandre Lacazette in the starting XI.
Tavares had a torrid time in that 4-0 defeat, gifting a goal to Diogo Jota, and was expected to lose his place now that Tierney is fully fit again, though surprisingly kept his place in the side.
Arteta recently revealed that he was keen for Wenger to return to Arsenal in some capacity and Keown claims the legendary Frenchman would not be impressed by the decision to leave out Tierney.
Speaking to BT Sport before the game, he said: ‘I wonder whether Wenger might have said to him, “Why are you not playing Tierney this week?” I wonder if he would’ve said, “Why is Lokonga playing?”
‘Because I admire that he wants to stick with players, that’s what he wants. I’m not saying he’s blinkered. He’s saying I believe in you enough to play you again.
‘Whereas I feel it’s very unfortunate for Tierney because he’s one of Arsenal’s very best players. And I think it might affect Tavares’ development but I think that call has to be made and it’s not been made today.’
On the subject of Wenger potentially returning to the Emirates, Keown continued: ‘I think the hand of friendship has been offered from the manager, and I think that’s an intelligent to do.
‘It doesn’t sit well with me that Arsene Wenger doesn’t sit round the table anymore of this football club he’s pretty well helped to create, this incredible stadium that we sit in he’s not been back here in three-and-a-half years.
‘That…
Source : metro
