Keown tips Gunners to become greatest

VETERAN defender Martin Keown believes the current Arsenal team can become the greatest side in the club’s history.

However, Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has warned that the Gunners must match the achievement of his former club, Manchester United, in winning back-to-back titles to be considered a truly great side.

Arsenal moved a step closer towards going through an entire league season unbeaten with their tepid goalless draw against Birmingham on Saturday. Now only Portsmouth, Fulham and relegated Leicester can stop them creating a slice of history.

Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal have already enshrined their position as “the most successful club in England as we’ve won the title and FA Cup twice in the past three seasons“.

However, Keown believes this side have not yet reached their full potential, with only himself, Ray Parlour and Dennis Bergkamp nearing the end of their careers.

The defender, who has won three titles at the club he first joined as a trainee in 1982, said: “What excites me is that it’s such a young team with a fantastic future ahead of them.

“In the past maybe there were a few players coming to the end of their careers. But now we’re at the beginning of something special rather than at the end of it.

“These players have it in their hands to be the best Arsenal side, but they have to go and prove it.

“Manchester United and Chelsea are two of the richest clubs in the world, so they’ll have a big say in it, but all the ingredients are there.

“If we can maintain this success until we get to the new stadium, the future could be very bright.”

Whether Keown, 37, is still there next season remains to be seen, with a move likely if he wishes to carry on playing regularly. Wenger brought him on against Birmingham to retain the possibility of accumulating the 10 appearances needed for a Premiership winner’s medal. Keown is now up to seven with three games left.

Blues manager Steve Bruce spelt out the challenge ahead of Arsenal in trying to retain a title. “I know for a fact that the difficult thing is to retain it and go on and dominate. They are a great team with exceptional players but that is what can make you a great, great team,” he said.

“You can’t take anything for granted though. What if Thierry Henry was injured for four months?

“The expectation levels also go up, so next year Arsenal will have to win the league and better themselves again for the season to be a success. That becomes difficult,” Bruce said.