Martin Keown: Arsenal Can Cope Without Saliba

Martin Keown insists Arsenal do not need to rush into the market for a new centre-back, even with William Saliba facing a spell on the sidelines.

The France defender aggravated a back problem during the World Cup and is set to miss a significant chunk of the season, a blow for a side built on the formidable axis of Saliba and Gabriel. Yet Keown, who knows a thing or two about elite defences from his Invincibles days, sees enough in Mikel Arteta’s squad to ride out the storm.

Keown backs Mosquera and Salmon

Names have flown around all summer. Cristian Romero was floated before choosing Atletico Madrid. Ezri Konsa has been mentioned. So has Jarell Quansah. Arsenal have been linked with centre-backs across the league and beyond.

Keown is unconvinced they need any of them.

He has instead been struck by what he’s seen in pre-season from Cristhian Mosquera and teenager Marli Salmon.

“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.”

The former defender sees flexibility everywhere he looks in Arteta’s back line. Riccardo Calafiori can step inside. Piero Hincapie can do the same. Both are left-footed, both comfortable sliding across the defensive line.

“All left-footed. So that area looks particularly strong for Arsenal,” Keown said, underlining his belief that the depth is already there.

Filling the Saliba-Gabriel void

Losing Saliba is not a minor detail. His partnership with Gabriel has been the platform for Arsenal’s title charge, a blend of physicality, timing and calm that has turned tight games in their favour.

Keown doesn’t downplay that chemistry.

“[Arsenal will miss] the combination they’ve got, because those two players (Saliba and Gabriel) really enjoy playing with one another,” he admitted.

Yet he quickly circles back to Mosquera. The 22-year-old made 20 league appearances last season, earned a senior Spain debut on the back of his Arsenal form, and has used this pre-season to tighten his grip on Arteta’s trust.

“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,” Keown said.

For him, the answer is already in the building.

Lewis-Skelly links fail to rattle Keown

At the other end of the pitch, another storyline has been bubbling. Myles Lewis-Skelly has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United, the latest young Arsenal talent to attract admiring glances.

Keown, again, is not panicking.

The England youth international played and scored in the midweek friendly against Como, a timely reminder of his value just as speculation about his future picked up. Having stepped forward from full-back into midfield late last season, he now faces fresh competition from marquee signing Bruno Guimaraes, who has arrived to stiffen Arsenal’s core.

Keown recognises the stakes. Arsenal will need every top player available if they are to launch another serious title assault. But he sees the situation less as a threat and more as a sign of a squad brimming with options.

“It’s not about defending it”

Arsenal head into the new campaign as champions, but Keown is adamant the mindset has to shift.

“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 changed. Manchester City’s grip on the Premier League has loosened with managerial upheaval elsewhere creating a new, unsettled order. Arsenal, by contrast, have continuity in the dugout.

“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].”

A wounded Saliba, an emerging Mosquera, a hungry Lewis-Skelly, and an entrenched Arteta. Arsenal are not just holding what they have. They are being challenged to prove that last season was a launchpad, not a peak.