Martin Keown believes Martin Odegaard remains 'under pressure' at Arsenal despite the Gunners' 3-0 victory over Coventry City on Friday. The Premier League champions began their title defence with a commanding performance against the newly-promoted Sky Blues at the Emirates Stadium.
Odegaard stars but Keown sees pressure
Goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka put Arsenal in control early on, before Odegaard added a third shortly after the break. The Arsenal captain, named player of the match, has started the season quickly, having opened his goalscoring account in last weekend's Community Shield.
However, Keown told Stan Sport at full-time: 'We need him back. He's probably the one player who's under more pressure than anybody else because he's got Eze in the background and young Dowman is going to be an amazing talent. So it's important our captain is actually leading the way, and he was great again tonight.'
Saka's fitness boost for Arsenal
Fellow goalscorer Saka also dealt with injuries towards the end of last season, but looked back to his dangerous best in the opening match. Keown added: 'Every time he gets the ball, he has to do damage. Last season, of course, the Achilles wasn't at his best. It looks as if he's over those handicaps and we can see the best of him.'
Keown praised Saka's character: 'He's a tremendous, very humble individual; he kind of sets the standards. He's been the key player for Arteta since he's been at the club and in order for Arsenal to win things, he's got to be at his best. So good news that he doesn't have any injury concerns anymore.'
Tzolis impresses on league debut
Keown also highlighted the performance of new signing Christos Tzolis, who impressed in his first league start following his £34 million move from Club Brugge earlier this summer. 'I thought he was as good as a debutant, as I've seen since maybe Freddie Ljungberg back in the day,' Keown said.
'I don't want to go overboard, but everything he did, the first goal he's involved in, he shuts the ball down. He's involved, obviously, as well for the cross when Saka scores. It was a shame Bruno wasn't fit because, between the two of them last year, I think they had 54 goal involvements, but this kid is looking to me like a really good signing.'
Odegaard, who only started 16 league matches last season due to injuries, will need to maintain his form to fend off competition and lead Arsenal's title defence effectively.
