'Couldn't have gone much worse' - Martin Keown reacts to Arsenal defeat and Bukayo Saka injury worry

Martin Keown believes that Arsenal’s game against Lens “couldn’t have gone much worse” after they lost 2-1 away in France on Tuesday in the Champions League.

Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring after 14 minutes, but Adrien Thomasson equalised for the home side nine minutes later. Star striker Elye Wahi then put Lens ahead on 69 minutes, and Arsenal could not find their way back into the game.

Lens top the group on four points with Arsenal second on three, with Sevilla on two and PSV on one after they drew their game on Tuesday night.

The defeat means that the pressure is on Mikel Arteta’s men to win their remaining games, but the situation could be made harder if the injury Bukayo Saka suffered in France proves to be serious.

Speaking on TNT Sports after the match, Keown described the situation as: “Not a disaster but it couldn’t have gone much worse. Disappointing performance, disappointing result, Saka getting injured.

“I think PSV-Sevilla only drawing the game is a plus point for them.

“They showed a bit of character there at the end and couldn’t quite get back into the game. I think they’ll be disappointed. Saka going off and [Gabriel] Martinelli not available.”

With Saka off, Keown said Arsenal: “Didn’t get the ball enough into the wide positions they needed. All credit to Lens for winning the match.

“Difficult environment to go to for this young Arsenal team, but nevertheless you expect them to come away from there with at least a draw.”

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes that with away fixtures likely the toughest games for Arsenal, they have to make sure they keep winning at the Emirates.

He explained: “There’s no easy games away from home for Arsenal. It’s quite an evenly matched group. Arsenal aside.

“I think Arsenal are going to win all their home games, but they could do with nicking a point or two away from home just to make sure they’re going to get through. That was a disappointment for Arsenal.”

Arsenal host Manchester City at the weekend before playing Chelsea after the international break, and on October 24 travel to Sevilla in their next European tie.

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