Arsenal legend Martin Keown admits reservations over Martin Odegaard role

Club legend Martin Keown has suggested that Mikel Arteta has taken a risk by moving Emile Smith Rowe away from a central area.

Despite starring for the Gunners since the end of 2020, Smith Rowe has recently been forced to occupy a role on the left flank to accommodate new arrival Martin Odegaard.

While Keown does not doubt the ability of the Real Madrid loanee, the former centre-back has hinted that he would have preferred Smith Rowe to continue in his previous position.

Speaking to BT Sport, Keown said: "The reservations I have is Smith Rowe was playing especially well in that position. Now, perhaps Arteta didn't feel he was getting enough from [Nicolas] Pepe defensively so Smith Rowe's gone into that position.

"Now you've got [Bukayo] Saka and Smith Rowe in wide positions. They have really good movement, tuck inside nicely, they give that space for the full-backs to get wide and they know when to press.

"But maybe they lose a little bit, for the time being, until Odegaard is ready to match speed. There were glimpses of really good play."

Odegaard has not contributed a goal or assist in his first 200 minutes of football since his temporary switch to the Emirates Stadium.