Martin Keown singles out one Arsenal player for ‘criminal’ defending vs Forest
ARSENAL star Per Mertesacker took the brunt of criticism from Gunners legend Martin Keown for Nottingham Forest’s opening goal in their shock FA Cup win tonight.
BT SPORT
Nottingham Forest knocked holders Arsenal out with a 4-2 win at the City Ground.
An Eric Lichaj brace took the hosts into the break 2-1 to the good before a penalty apiece from Ben Brereton and Kieran Dowell saw Forest through to the fourth round.
Lichaj’s first was an unmarked, close-range header from a Dowell free kick which left former Nottingham Forest midfielder Jermaine Jenas, who was working alongside Keown, confused at the Gunners’ defensive organisation.
“I felt like the wall was in a totally wrong place,” Jenas said on BT Sport.
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Mertesacker, the senior player, you cannot leave someone that close to the goal unmarked
“Obviously the defensive line has taken its line but the wall, with it being so deep, has allowed Lichaj to go into this area of space where nobody’s marking him. So when he makes that run, the lime of Arsenal are looking at him thinking ‘well you must be in an offside position’.
“It needs to be a bit further out, Lichaj is in acres of space because they’re in the wrong position and puts it in the back of the net. It’s poor organisation.”
Following on from Jenas’ comment, Keown hit out at Arsenal captain Mertesacker for allowing a free run so close to the goal.
“It’s embarrassing there,” Keown fumed.
“Mertesacker, the senior player, you cannot leave someone that close to the goal unmarked.
“It’s criminal, Lichaj has just cashed in. It’s really quite poor from Arsenal there.”
Arsenal pulled one goal back through Danny Welbeck to make it 3-2 before Dowell's late spot kick sealed the win.
