Keown stands by his defence of Arsenal after Schmeichel’s ‘ugly’ comment

Martin Keown has defended Arsenal’s style of play following comments from Peter Schmeichel, who suggested that the Gunners’ approach brought out the “ugly” side of football. The Manchester United legend made the remarks after Arsenal were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Liverpool just before the international break.

In that fixture, both teams adopted a cautious approach, showing limited interest in open attacking football. Much of the match appeared to be a battle for control rather than goal-scoring opportunities, with Arsenal demonstrating more attacking intent during the first half. The Gunners looked sharper and more likely to create chances, while Liverpool grew into the game after the interval. Despite Liverpool’s improvement, Arsenal continued to pose a threat, looking for openings to break the deadlock.

Eventually, the match was decided by a brilliant free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai, which has since been named the Premier League’s Goal of the Month for August. Schmeichel, however, chose to focus on Arsenal’s reliance on set pieces and criticised the team for what he deemed unattractive football.

Keown’s Response to Criticism

Keown responded to the former United goalkeeper’s comments and reiterated his belief that Arsenal do not play ugly football. Speaking to Talk Sport, he said, “I just feel that that particular comment from Peter was out of keeping, really, with all the informed opinion. You know that I don’t think Arsenal are ugly. We play one of the best football in England and Schmeichel knows this.”

The former Arsenal defender highlighted that the team’s structured approach, possession-based style, and tactical intelligence are often misinterpreted as negative or unattractive football. Keown emphasised that football is not only about constant attacking but also about strategy and discipline, qualities that are central to Mikel Arteta’s system.

Arsenal’s Style Under Scrutiny

Arsenal’s approach under Arteta has often prioritised control, ball retention, and patient build-up play. While this can sometimes limit the number of high-intensity attacking sequences, it allows the team to create chances efficiently and minimise defensive vulnerability. Keown’s defence underscores that criticism focusing solely on aesthetics overlooks the effectiveness and quality of the football the club produces.

Ultimately, while Schmeichel’s comments sparked debate, Keown maintains that Arsenal’s style is among the most sophisticated in English football. The focus on structure, technique, and tactical awareness continues to define the Gunners’ approach, which he insists should be appreciated rather than dismissed.