Martin Keown insists Arsenal must overhaul their defence and slams David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi

Martin Keown has expressed concern over the state of former club Arsenal‘s defensive options – and spared particular criticism for much-maligned stars David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi.

Both centre backs have regularly been slammed by Gunners fans, although 33-year-old Luiz has started all but three Premier League games for the club since joining from Chelsea last summer. 

And ahead of a crucial summer of reinforcement for Mikel Arteta, Keown has urged the Arsenal boss to be ‘harsh’ in overhauling his back line. 

Martin Keown has expressed concern over the state of former club Arsenal’s defensive options

The club legend singled out maligned pairing David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi for criticism

The North London club will have to decide over the coming weeks whether to take up the option to extend Luiz’s contract for another year, after it emerged the ex-Chelsea star had penned a one-year deal rather than the initially expected two. 

And alongside Luiz’s shakiness this campaign, Mustafi has also flattered to deceive in a defence which has kept just seven clean sheets.

The 28-year-old’s showings have remained unconvincing since joining from Valencia in 2016.

Arsenal legend Keown told talkSPORT: ‘David Luiz concerns me because if you’re going to pay £8m for him and give him £5m wages and he’s only going to be there for one season, I’m not sure about the wisdom of that.

Arsenal will decide in the coming weeks whether to extend Luiz’s contract for another season

‘Is he a proper defender? Can he play in a back four? His best defending came when he was in a back three at Chelsea when they won the Premier League [in 2016-17].

‘It’s the most crucial area which he [Mikel Arteta] has to get right.

‘Holding’s been injured, it’s hard to judge him, he probably deserves another opportunity. I think that Sokratis could be a useful defender but I can understand the uncertainty of giving David Luiz a new deal.

‘Do they now start to be harsh and make those key decisions? If David Luiz isn’t the answer, then he has to go now.

Keown is also adamant that Mustafi ‘isn’t quite at the level’ required under boss Mikel Arteta

The Arsenal head coach has been urged to be ‘harsh’ in overhauling his back line this summer

‘He doesn’t enjoy being in wide positions in the back four, he tends to bring people down and Mustafi, although Arteta has got a bit of a tune out of him, we know Mustafi isn’t quite at the level as well.

‘You go to a football club, you have to make your mark and if it doesn’t happen you have to hold your hands up. I think both players will have to do that… I can’t see that being a long-term partnership in the Arsenal defence.’ 

Keown has also questioned Arsenal’s decision to loan defender William Saliba back to Saint-Etienne after signing him last summer.

Keown questioned Arsenal’s decision to loan back William Saliba to Saint Etienne last summer

He added: ‘There’s an awful lot of work to be done in there. There was the defender from Saint-Etienne, William Saliba, who they paid £27 million for but was loaned back again.

‘I couldn’t quite work that out because now I’m being told he’s world-class. Never mind if he’s world-class, if he was Premier League class it would have been good enough because that was an area of concern.’

The 19-year-old defender will be available for selection at the Emirates next season.