Date: 28th October 2022 at 4:10pm
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Four members of the Arsenal squad in Thursday’s defeat to PSV Eindhoven have been criticised by BT Sport pundits Martin Keown and Joe Cole.

THE LOWDOWN: FLAT PERFORMANCE

The Gunners travelled to Eindhoven to complete the second leg of their group stage double header against PSV. The Gunners triumphed in the first instalment to clinch a place in the knockout rounds, and the mission this time was to secure top spot in Group A.

However, the performance on the night was disappointing and flat, and Arsenal looked all at sea. PSV scored five times in the match but only two were legitimate, which goes to show their dominance in the game.

Following the awful performance, four players from Mikel Arteta’s side were criticiced by pundits who felt they did not do enough in the game.

THE LATEST: PUNDITS’ CRITICISM

Martin Keown and Joe Cole singled out four Arsenal players after the defeat to PSV in the Europa League.

The Premier League leaders missed a chance to secure top spot and will need to beat Zurich in their final group game to guarantee their place in the last 16.

Keown and Cole believe that Rob Holding, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Aaron Ramsdale and Kieran Tierney did not cover themselves in glory for their roles in PSV’s two goals.

Gunners legend Keown told BT Sport“It was disappointing and they will be hurting in the dressing room because they were second best throughout.

“Arsenal didn’t have any answers. The atmosphere was difficult for them so they will need to go away and lick their wounds before coming back this weekend.”

Former England midfielder Cole added: “Arsenal were very poor for the goals. I don’t want to be too critical because we’ve enjoyed watching them play and Arsenal fans are getting very excited. But today is a little reminder that there’s still work to do.”

Speaking about the two goals which were conceded, Keown said: “Looking at Rob Holding there [for the first goal], you’ve got to stay goal-side. A big man has come on [De Jong], so Holding’s got to come across.”

“Lokonga could do more with the initial ball and then he just switches off. He’s got to breaking every sinew in his body to get back there and get a block in but he doesn’t.”

“For the second goal, Tierney picks up De Jong from the corner and straight away I’m screaming at the TV because he shouldn’t be the one marking him.”

“Ramsdale comes, thinking he can cure the problem, but it’s a big haymaker from him. It’s one of those that needed a straight arm but it was wild from Ramsdale.

‘Tierney doesn’t even get off the ground, I don’t know why he was marking him. If I’m Holding I would make myself available to help him but he didn’t do that either.”

Cole was in agreement with Keown, saying: “Rob Holding gets the wrong side of his man, he gets turned by De Jong and then Lokonga just switches off. Those are the basic fundamentals that get you through matches. Arsenal were off it on this occasion.

“I’ve done Tierney’s role when you’re there to block and you have to make contact. He should be backing into him, affecting him, and he didn’t. Ramsdale then needs to come and do much better with the punch.”

THE VERDICT: POOR DISPLAY

Aside from these four players who were singled out by Keown and Cole, Arsenal simply did not do well enough throughout the game at all.

They will need to bounce back and return to winning ways against Nottingham Forest at the weekend in order to answer any critics who may be questioning whether things are just beginning to unravel a small bit for the Gunners.

 

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