Martin Keown names the two players Arsenal missed most in Man City defeat

Martin Keown fears Arsenal ‘bit off more than they could chew’ with their attempts to compete on four fronts contributing to the injuries which may cost them dear in the title race.

Having led the way in the Premier League for the overwhelming majority of the season, the Gunners will relinquish top spot on Wednesday should Manchester City win at Burnley.

Sunday’s loss at the Etihad represented the Gunners’ fourth successive defeat in domestic competitions and Keown is concerned the loss of so many key players at various points in the campaign is beginning to tell.

Arsenal spent well over £200million last summer attempting to bolster their squad but Arteta has rarely had a full compliment of players to select from.

Martin Odegaard’s return to the starting line-up represented a welcome boost against City, but with Bukayo Saka still absence he is still unable to pick his first choice attack.

Defensively, meanwhile, Keown believes the unavailability of full-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber made a huge difference against the new title favourites.

‘We were on our third right-back,’ Keown told talkSPORT, pointing out Cristhian Mosequera was forced to play in an unfamiliar role up against Jeremy Doku.

‘It’s normal to feel nervous but it’s about how you react. I don’t believe that the injuries Arsenal have had have helped them.

‘Timber and Saka are not available for Arsenal. Perhaps Arsenal bit off more than they can chew. They were really big in four competitions.

‘Is the workload playing a part here? Perhaps that game came at the wrong time. The squads players that come in meant Arsenal played with four central defenders yesterday.

‘No Calafiori to develope the play in midfield like they normally have. No Timber and that tenacity he has to help deal with Haaland when he’s doing his stuff.

‘People come in to replace who is missing, we were on our third right-back yesterday.’

Odegaard, meanwhile, insists it is still ‘all to play for’ despite City taking charge of the race to be crowned champions.

Even if City win at Burnely, Arsenal will still be level on points and Odegaard has urged his team-mates to deliver a much-needed victory in their next match against Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

‘We have to keep going,’ said Odegaard. ‘It was always going to go all the way to the end so we have to keep going, keep working hard and sticking together.

‘We just look forward to the next game now and bounce back. We created a few big, big chances (against City) so there are some positives to take.

‘It is frustrating at the moment but we’ll analyse it, move onto the next one, and it’s all to play for. This is the best part of the season so we will just look forward to the next game.’