MARTIN KEOWN has ripped into Arsenal’s flops and told them to take inspiration from the club’s title-winning side of 2002.
Arsene Wenger’s men face Manchester City for the second time in just five days following their 3-0 Carabao Cup final defeat at Wembley.
Gunners legend Keown, who won three Premier League titles in 1998, 2002 and 2004, told the Daily Mail: “When Arsenal were winning Premier League titles in 1998, 2002 and 2004, the players were the best I had ever worked with.
“I had waited my whole career to join such a talented group.
“If I could show these Arsenal players one game, it would be the victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in 2002 that clinched the title.
“That game was won by grafting, by scrapping, by getting back into position so early that United could not even think about going forwards.
“The players should stop feeling sorry for themselves and draw a line under poor performances.
“They need to be snarling, competitive, ruthless in their play.”
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Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville slammed Arsenal as “spineless” and “pathetic” during Sunday’s defeat.
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But Keown, 51, insisted Sunday’s performance was just one of a number of calamitous displays this term.
He blasted:”This has been Arsenal’s worst season in recent memory.
“The side’s poor away form suggests a serious lack of character and the last two matches have been embarrassing to watch.”
Wenger, 68, put the defeat down to City being too much to handle.
He said: “When you lose a game like that everything is questioned.
“But we played against a good side, you cannot say that we played against an average side.
“They dominate the Premier League and they have good players. It is difficult to come back.”
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