Martin Keown has revealed his preference for Arsenal's Champions League final opponent, stating he would rather see the Gunners face Bayern Munich than Paris Saint-Germain. Arsenal secured their place in Budapest on May 30 with a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at home on Tuesday night.
Mikel Arteta's side now await the outcome of Wednesday's second leg between Bayern Munich and PSG, with the French club holding a 5-4 advantage from a thrilling first leg at the Parc des Princes. Arsenal were eliminated by PSG in last season's semi-finals, while they recorded an impressive 3-1 win over Bayern in the league phase this November.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Keown explained his reasoning: 'Do you know, I think I would like to see Bayern Munich, actually. They've already played each other, it was a 3-1 victory, and somehow I think Arsenal might have a better chance. With PSG, they're just remarkable in the way they play. The philosophies of both managers are exactly the same. If we were playing in a game and we conceded four or five goals, our philosophy might change a little bit, we might not be so keen to keep attacking, but this lot just keep going. It's one of the best games I've ever seen. We're probably going to see the same again.'
Keown also addressed criticism of Arsenal's style of play this season, noting the irony that they could reach the final despite such criticism. 'But I'd just like to see Arsenal… it would be ironic if Arsenal, with all the criticism they've taken for their style of football this season, and by the way they are playing some football now, they pretty well run the show for an hour last night, Atletico just sat in deep, couldn't get the ball.'
The former Arsenal defender dismissed suggestions that players got carried away in celebrations after reaching their first Champions League final since 2006. 'There's nothing won yet, you've won a high-profile game, it's been a magnificent evening, the best atmosphere the stadium has ever seen, it's one more step towards success, it's about rest, recovery and thinking about the weekend. No one is getting caught up – certainly not me. You know how cautious I have been all the way through the season. There will still be twists and turns in the Premier League, let me tell you.'
Keown praised Arsenal's unbeaten Champions League run this season, saying: 'I think if you've gone a whole season in the Champions League without losing a match, it's almost two competitions, you play eight games in the league then it goes to a knockout, seven games if you reach the final, I think you can applaud that.' He added that the team needed the energy from the semi-final win but remained focused. 'I think they needed that energy, this team needed to feel a little bit of celebration, but they boxed it off, I saw the players, already after the match it was very relaxed, no one's going big time, that was for the fans, that was to thank the fans on the night, the atmosphere was incredible, they needed a payback, there's a better bond now between the fans and the players. It's another step but no one's getting carried away at Arsenal, let me tell you.'
Keown reflected on his cautious stance throughout the season, noting that this is the first time he has backed Arsenal to win the Champions League under Arteta. He also addressed speculation surrounding Pep Guardiola and Bernardo Silva, suggesting it might create extra motivation. 'And with Pep [Guardiola] in the building, there's lots of speculation, will he be here or won't he? Is he not even responding to that to create this extra energy and this drive for his team? Bernardo Silva has been an amazing servant and he's going as well so it creates that final hurdle.'
Finally, Keown dismissed the 'bottling' label often attached to Arsenal. 'I bristle at the bottling claim because I think it's insulting. It certainly wasn't around in my day. And if they go on and win the league and Champions League this year, in fact I will take one of those trophies, I don't think that can be said about this group ever again.'
