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Football London
Football London
Sport
Jamie Kemble

Martin Keown slams Bernd Leno over costly incident in Arsenal's draw with Burnley

Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes Granit Xhaka is not the only player to blame for the 'calamity' goal the Gunners conceded against Burnley.

Mikel Arteta's men slipped up again on Saturday afternoon, forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor despite taking the lead within six minutes.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put Arsenal ahead but they were pegged back six minutes before half-time and it was much their own doing.

Granit Xhaka attempted to clear the ball from inside his own box and struck it against Burnley striker Chris Wood. The ball then flew past Bernd Leno and Arsenal - though not through lack of trying - failed to find another goal to take all three points.

MIKEL ARTETA ADMITS ARSENAL'S EUROPEAN HOPES ARE 'COMPLICATED' AFTER BURNLEY DRAW

Xhaka has since apologised for his mistake, but former Arsenal defender Keown says goalkeeper Leno was almost as much to blame, slamming the German.

"It’s a calamity, the goal they concede trying to play out from the back," Keown told BT Sport.

"It’s about making the right decisions, the manager said he was far from happy about the team’s performance and said stop giving silly goals away and this was another one.

"This ball should be launched by the goalkeeper. Okay, Granit [Xhaka] gives it away and he shouldn’t, it is his mistake. But don’t give it to him.

"You have got to recognise when the opposition is right on top of you. I think Leno should go long there.

"He doesn’t, and the worst nightmare happens, Xhaka gives away yet another goal. You cannot do that and expect to go up the table."

Writing on Instagram, Xhaka apologised for his part in the goal, saying: "I hold my hands up for their goal and I’m sorry for the mistake. That’s football and right now I feel just as frustrated as all of you.”

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