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Arsenal's resurgence mirrors Wenger's title-winning DNA, says Keown
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has drawn striking parallels between Mikel Arteta's current side and the Arsène Wenger teams that dominated the Premier League in the late 1990s and early 2000s, calling their defensive resilience and collective hunger a return to the club's "lost DNA."
Speaking to BBC Sport, Keown-who won three top-flight titles with Arsenal-highlighted the Gunners' unmatched defensive record this season: just three goals conceded in the Premier League, the fewest shots faced (75), and a club-record eight consecutive clean sheets across all competitions. "They've got that same look-passion to defend, hunger to attack-and in some ways, they're even stronger," he said.
'Pain of near-misses fuels this team'
Keown emphasized how Arsenal's recent history of falling short-three consecutive second-place finishes-mirrors the frustration his own title-winning sides endured. "In 1998, we'd gone six years without a league crown. In 2002 and 2004, we'd been runners-up to Manchester United repeatedly. That pain galvanizes you," he explained. "You reach a point where you think, 'Over my dead body will this happen again.' I see that fire in Arteta's players."
The ex-England international pointed to Arsenal's leadership core-Gabriel, Declan Rice, and new signing Viktor Gyökeres-as embodying the "character and personality" that defined Wenger's dressing room. "Back then, we had Sol Campbell, Tony Adams, Lauren-players who led by example. Now, Rice is like a modern Bryan Robson: box-to-box, relentless. That mentality is back."
'Defensive platform must translate to trophies'
While Arsenal's defensive stats rival historic records-including the 1998-99 side that conceded just 17 goals-Keown warned that dominance alone isn't enough. "In '99, we were the best defensively but still didn't win the title. Arteta's team must balance this with attacking threat," he said, comparing their full-backs' dual roles to his era, when Lauren and Ashley Cole transformed defense into attack.
He praised Arteta's squad depth, singling out Jurrien Timber's impact at right-back and the midfield battle between Zubimendi and Eze. "This isn't just a strong XI-it's a 20-player unit fighting for places. That internal competition breeds excellence."
'No celebrations yet-just a tug-of-war'
Despite Arsenal's 10-game winning streak and emphatic performances, Keown cautioned against premature optimism. "The season's a tug-of-war. Right now, they're pulling hard, but nothing's won. The real test is sustaining this when rivals wake up," he said. "The message is clear: Arsenal are in the race. But trophies are the only way to cement this DNA forever."
"You don't want to be the best statistically and still finish empty-handed. This team has to turn dominance into silverware-just like we did."
Martin Keown, speaking to BBC Sport
