Martin Keown feels Arsenal now believe they can win Premier League title

Martin Keown (L) beleives Arsene Wenger’s team has given the fans belief ahead of the new season

For nine long years, Arsenal supporters came to dread each pre-season, aware that the exciting transfer rumours would ultimately prove to be groundless and the prospect of another trophyless season loomed. These days, however, the optimism has returned to the Emirates and there appears to be a sincere conviction among the fans that Arsene Wenger’s side can challenge for the top honours once more. It’s a feeling Gunners legend Martin Keown shares.

In an exclusive interview for 888Sport the ‘Invincible’ defender admits to seeing enough encouraging signs of late to think that the good times may be returning to north London.

“I was at the Emirates Tournament at the weekend and it just feels like there’s a different belief now. When you don’t win trophies for a while it just becomes words and actions speak much louder and since winning cups again the belief is there for the players and the fans.”

“I just sensed a different type of atmosphere in the stadium. They don’t want to suffocate the players with expectation but they know what having a special team feels like and this one is beginning to show some special qualities.”

Wenger can’t afford to let Chambers go: Keown

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger yesterday scorched all speculation of Calum Chambers returning to his boyhood club Southampton on a season-long loan and it’s a decision Gunners legend Martin Keown fully agrees with.

Speaking to 888Sport ahead of this Sunday’s Community Shield the 43-cap England hardman said, “It’s a difficult one for Arsene because he doesn’t want to leave himself exposed defensively so I can’t see him doing it from a numbers point of view.

Calum Chambers will not be loaned out by Arsenal according to Wenger

“If you’re going for the league you need four central defenders and I know Debuchy can play there but he was injured for much of last year so there are question marks against his fitness. If one of the centre-halves gets injured then you don’t have a replacement so I’d be surprised if he allows that to happen.”

It was a rumour that quickly grew in credence to the surprise of many yet Keown is not as dismissive of the idea as his former boss and mentor.

“I can see some value in (the loan) because he started the season playing for the England team and finished it on the bench for the Under 21s. I felt that was totally unfair incidentally.”