Date: 13th December 2019 at 12:33am
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Arsenal have qualified as group winners to the round-of-32 in the Europa League, but Martin Keown was not satisfied.

Freddie Ljungberg made hostile changes to the Gunners side that beat West Ham on Monday night, with a number of fringe players making the lineup at Standard Liege.

The 2-2 draw ensured Arsenal can keep their hopes of Champions League qualification firmly alive.

The north Londoners did have to fight back from 2-0 down to rescue a point. Former Arsenal star Martin Keown questioned their desire in the game and slammed Ljungberg for making so many changes.

‘One thing you need when you’re a manager is luck and Freddie Ljungberg was very lucky tonight,’ Keown said on BT Sport. ‘

The game changed when Martinelli came off the bench tonight. 69th minute, a young player, a desire and a work-rate you’d except from the senior players.’

Martin Keown has hailed Gabriele Martinelli

‘I didn’t see a role model in that team. He came on and changed it,’ he continued.

Keown was disappointed Freddie elected not to stick to four at the back.

‘The older players were a long time getting to that level for Arsenal,” he said.

‘I think Freddie Ljungberg should have kept it simple. He should have played a back four, pretty much the same team he played the other night.

‘There was too many changes. We need to get back the desire and hunger from the players.

 

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