Arsenal have just lost their only chance of qualifying for the Champions League and Martin Keown believes that this could recall past disasters.
The former Gunners defender is fearful of losing both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette after the Europa League final loss to Chelsea last night.
Such has been the case at North London for the past couple of decades where the club’s best players would leave for greener pastures. Both Aubameyang and Lacazette are targets for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
After the loss at Baku, Keown acknowledged Arsenal’s shortcomings and what it could mean for the future. He said, “[It was] a system failure for Arsenal. [Chelsea were] too good for Arsenal tonight. It really magnifies the decline of Arsenal football club. It’s nowhere near the club it once was.
“Whether it was [Arsene] Wenger was there too long. Recruitment is what it has to be, and I don’t know if the budget is there to bring Arsenal into the top four next season.
“You mention about keeping the players. Aubameyang and Lacazette, it won’t be easy to hold onto those players. It severely dents the budget. Maybe £40million worse off.
“He’s [Unai Emery] put a lot of work into this, tried to wring out intensity. The judgement of players, the type of player that’s been bought has been more technical, and the, toughness, steeliness doesn’t seem to be there.”
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