Arsenal's Centre-Back Dilemma: Keown Supports Current Squad

Martin Keown insists Arsenal do not need to rush into the market for a new centre-back, even with William Saliba facing a spell on the sidelines.

The France international aggravated a back problem at the World Cup and is set to miss a sizeable chunk of the season, a blow for a side built on the imposing axis of Saliba and Gabriel. Names have inevitably started to swirl around the rumour mill. Cristian Romero was mentioned before the former Tottenham captain chose Atletico Madrid. Ezri Konsa has been floated. So has Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah.

Keown is unmoved.

Keown backs Mosquera and Salmon

The former Arsenal defender has been closely watching pre-season and believes the answers are already in Mikel Arteta’s dressing room. Cristhian Mosquera and teenager Marli Salmon have caught his eye.

“Salmon looked really good in the friendly game against Como, he's progressing nicely,” Keown told football.london at TNT Sports’ “Levels” Trophy Cabinet pop-up in London. “Mosquera for me also looked really sharp in that match. I don't think there's a necessity to buy a central defender, I think that's an area they can cope with.”

The club’s transfer links tell a different story, but Keown sees depth where others see a gap.

“I'm hearing that they are being linked with various central defenders so maybe they want to strengthen in that area [but] defending-wise, [Riccardo] Calafiori can also pop into there, [Piero] Hincapie can do that. All left-footed. So that area looks particularly strong for Arsenal.”

Calafiori and Hincapie, both comfortable stepping inside from the left, add another layer of flexibility. For Keown, it all points to a back line that can absorb the loss of its defensive leader without tearing up the plan.

Life without Saliba

What Arsenal will miss, Keown admits, is the chemistry. Saliba and Gabriel have grown into one of the Premier League’s most dominant pairings, a partnership that relishes the physical and psychological battle.

“[Arsenal will miss] the combination they’ve got, because those two players (Saliba and Gabriel) really enjoy playing with one another,” he said.

The door, though, swings open for Mosquera. The 22-year-old made 20 league appearances last season and forced his way into the Spain squad, earning a senior debut on the back of his form. He has carried that momentum into pre-season.

“Although Mosquera, I think after four minutes he came on at Anfield last year and showed us how good he was, and he's even better in pre-season this year so I think Saliba is not available, he starts the season.”

In Keown’s mind, the hierarchy is clear: if Saliba is out, Mosquera steps in.

Lewis-Skelly links fail to rattle Keown

Arsenal’s summer noise has not been confined to the back four. Myles Lewis-Skelly has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United, his emergence drawing predictable attention from domestic rivals.

Keown is not panicking there either. The England youth international played and scored in the midweek friendly against Como, another reminder of why Arsenal rate him so highly.

Lewis-Skelly pushed forward from full-back into midfield late last season, and the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes has only intensified competition in that area of the pitch. For Keown, that is exactly what a title-chasing squad should look like: stacked, restless, and braced for another long campaign.

He believes Arsenal will need every one of their top performers if they are to mount another serious run at the Premier League. But he rejects the idea that they are simply “defending” what they already have.

“You’ve got to go and win it again, it’s not about defending it,” he said. “You're very proud of winning it but maybe this now opens up a door for confidence, for the handbrake to come off a bit, to believe in themselves.”

A shifting Premier League landscape

The context has changed. Manchester City’s iron grip on the title race has loosened, at least in perception, with managerial upheaval sweeping across the division.

“Because obviously Man City had a stranglehold on the Premier League for quite a few years, but there have been some huge changes now with all the new managers coming in,” Keown noted.

Amid that turbulence, Arteta stands as one of the league’s few constants. His project has survived the early turbulence, hardened through near-misses, and now carries the weight of expectation.

“Arteta is now probably one of the most secure managers in the Premier League and has probably been there longer than almost anybody else. Finishing in second place on three occasions and then winning it so they really are in good form to go and [win it again].”

Saliba’s injury might have sparked anxiety in previous eras. This time, Keown sees resilience, options, and a squad ready to attack the season, not cling to what it already owns. The question now is not whether Arsenal can cope at the back, but whether this group can turn one title into an era.