Keown guns for defensive duties in Old Trafford battle

MARTIN KEOWN has declared himself ready to step into the defensive breach at Old Trafford this weekend as Arsenal look to inflict further pain on Manchester United.

Having won the title at Old Trafford last season, Arsenal are four points clear at the top of the table ahead of their rematch with Alex Ferguson’s side.

Their main Achilles heel ahead of Saturday’s fixture had appeared to be their defence, especially with Sol Campbell ruled out due to a one-match ban.

David Seaman must still come through a test on his groin injury, while Ashley Cole must also prove his fitness after missing last weekend’s win against Aston Villa.

However, Keown has pronounced himself fit and ready to return to the starting line-up for the first time since September 25, when he injured his hamstring in the Champions League match at PSV Eindhoven.

The 36-year-old centre-back came through a reserves game earlier this week against Millwall, having made two substitute appearances for the first-team against Roma and Villa.

He admitted that he had not been prepared to travel to Rome for the Champions League tie last week, but declared: “I am ready to play at Old Trafford.”

Keown, who made a positive impact in his 23-minute cameo role against Villa, said : “Everything has gone well and I feel fit. The more I have done, the better I have felt.

“I was a bit surprised I was involved against Roma and I didn’t know I was going until the day before the game, when I came into training for a warm-down after a reserve match.

“I didn’t have any gear to travel with me but fortunately I had my passport with me. The manager asked me to go on for the last 10 minutes and that was long enough to test everything out.

“It was the same last Saturday against Villa. It got a bit hairy in the last 20 minutes because Dion Dublin and Darius Vassell are a handful.

“But I came through fine. There has been no bad reaction at all, none.

“So, yes, I am ready to start at Old Trafford if I am picked.”

That is a major relief for Wenger, who would otherwise have had to turn to right-back Oleg Luzhny, Igor Stepanovs, or Matthew Upson, who has been on loan at Reading.

Lauren and Kanu could also be in contention for places in the squad after making comebacks in the reserves along with Keown and Ray Parlour.

Wenger later expressed confidence that Cole and Seaman would both be able to return to further bolster Arsenal’s defence at Old Trafford.

However, the Arsenal boss has not yet made a final decision on whether to recall the England goalkeeper in light of his groin injury and he will assess his fitness again in training tomorrow.

Wenger told the club’s website: “Ashley Cole is in contention for Saturday’s game.

“David Seaman is available but he has not played a game in training yet so I will see how far I can go with him on Friday before I decide.”

As for Lauren, Kanu and Parlour, Wenger was slightly less optimistic as he added: “They are short of full fitness, and some are shorter than others, but I will decide later.”