Martin Keown has criticised Arsenal’s players for refusing to pass the ball to teenager Max Dowman during their crushing 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.
“Give Him the Ball!” – Keown Blasts Gunners After Bournemouth Defeat
The defeat prevents Arsenal from moving 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League. A lacklustre display saw the Gunners suffer their third loss in four matches.
Junior Kroupi put Bournemouth ahead early before Viktor Gyokeres equalised after 35 minutes. But Alex Scott’s fine finish after 74 minutes sealed the victory for the visitors.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta grew frustrated with his side’s poor performance. He introduced three substitutes nine minutes into the second half, bringing on Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard and 16-year-old Dowman. The changes failed to spark any improvement.
Dowman only turned 16 in December but already looks comfortable in the first team. He played a key role off the bench in Arsenal’s previous league game, helping set up one goal and scoring another in a 2-0 win over Everton. However, he could not repeat that impact against Bournemouth.
Keown expressed his frustration while working as a pundit for TNT Sports. “Arsenal fixed the play and the picture never changed,” said the former Gunners defender.
“Even when Dowman came on, we were all screaming give him the ball. They didn’t have enough good control of the ball in the midfield.
That is all down to Bournemouth and Arsenal not mixing up their game enough.”
Manchester City face a tough trip to Chelsea on Sunday.
If City win that match, they can cut the gap at the top to just three points when they face Arsenal at the Emirates next weekend.
City will also have a game in hand on their title rivals.
