Martin Keown launches passionate defence of Arsenal after Champions League defeat – as he claims critics want to ‘put the Gunners away’

Martin Keown has issued a passionate defence of Arsenal after the Gunners suffered a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Mikel Arteta’s side suffered a narrow loss at the San Siro, with the Italian champions scoring a controversial first half penalty.

The defeat saw Arsenal slip to 12th in the Champions League table, while the result comes off the back of a disappointing performance in their 1-0 loss to Newcastle last weekend.

Arsenal are seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool in the Premier League after a blip, leading to doubts over their title prospects.

Keown, however, issued a defence of the Gunners following their Champions League setback on Wednesday night.

Inter Milan earned a narrow 1-0 win over Arsenal despite starting without several key players

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown issued a passionate defence of Arsenal after the loss

He responded to former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand’s claim he was trying to ‘paper over the cracks’.

Ferdinand had highlighted that Inter had started without several of their star names, with Nicolo Barella, Federico Dimarco and Alessandro Bastoni starting on the bench.

‘In the second half, Arsenal did almost everything they could to score a goal here, I saw a really good reaction,’ Keown said on TNT Sports.

‘Everyone wants to put Arsenal away, but I don’t think there is a massive crisis for Arsenal.

‘I don’t think they are that far away from getting it right, they have to keep believing in what they are doing, but yes they are not scoring goals.

‘A lot of people are knocking Arsenal, I am standing up for them a little bit tonight.

‘I thought they had one or two chances that they didn’t put away, but they certainly went after the opponents today.’

Ferdinand responded to Keown’s defence by quipping ‘Why are Arsenal people so touchy?’

Keown dismissed suggestions Arsenal are in a crisis following a difficult run of results

The former Arsenal defender claimed the team are not far away from getting it right

‘I don’t understand. We are not having a dig, we are not having a dig.’

Arsenal will look to get back on track in their final match before the international break.

The Gunners travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

Chelsea are currently above Arsenal on goal difference in the table, with the two teams having earned 18 points from their opening 10 Premier League matches.