Keown happy with Gunners´ defence

Former defender Martin Keown believes Arsene Wenger has now dealt with the English Premier League club’s problems at the back.

Keown made over 300 appearances for the club, winning three Premier League titles and three FA Cups under Wenger, in addition to the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.

The Gunners’ last league match finished in disappointment, with Fulham seizing victory last Monday with two late goals to overturn Laurent Koscielny’s opening header.

But the side’s form towards the end of 2011 was a substantial improvement from the start of the season, when Wenger’s men were routinely shipping goals and losing games.

They re-grouped and have now risen to fifth place on the Premier League table – just one point behind Chelsea – and have qualified to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

“I know they were caught by a pair of late sucker punches at Fulham, but I am less concerned by Arsenal’s defence now,” Keown – who has been coaching at the club – told The Mirror.

“They have looked pretty solid, even with a big injury list, and (goalkeeper) Wojciech Szczesny, apart from one uncharacteristic mistake the other night, has been outstanding.”

“A year ago people were screaming at Arsene Wenger to go out and buy a world-class keeper, but Szczesny looks like he’s going to be the solution after all. The other demand was for a commanding centre-back, and Per Mertesacker has settled in well.”

It has in fact been at full-back that the Gunners have looked short this season, as left-backs Kieran Gibbs and Andre Santos and right-backs Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson have all been out through injury. Wenger has had to deploy a back four consisting entirely of centre-backs.

Turning to the Gunners’ attack, Keown said: “Bringing Thierry (Henry) back, even on a short-term basis, is a gamble but it’s a real treat for the fans and he has obviously looked sharp in training so he deserves that opportunity.”

“(Robin) van Persie is a magnificent striker, but he can’t win football matches on his own every week.”

The Dutch international has scored almost half of the Gunners’ goals in the Premier League, with 17 already to his name this season.