Keown says Odegaard has "wrong attitude" after post-match Arsenal interview
Martin Keown has told Martin Odegaard he has the wrong attitude after scoring his first goal for Arsenal on Thursday night.
It came in a 3-1 win over Olympiacos in the Europa League to give the Gunners a healthy lead ahead of the second leg at the Emirates.
It means the Greek side will have to score three unanswered goals to proceed to the next round of the competition.
And it could have been better if not for another moment of madness at the back when Bernd Leno passed to Dani Ceballos under pressure.
The Spaniard lost the ball and allowed Youssef El-Arabi to score past the Arsenal keeper, who was out of position.
But it was a night to remember for Odegaard, who scored his first goals for the Gunners in some style.
About 30 yards from goal, the Real Madrid loanee let loose an absolute howitzer of a shot that nearly took Olympiacos goalkeeper Jose Sa's arm off.
After the match, the Norweigan insisted that what was important was how the team got on and also spoke about the various mistakes made throughout.
And Keown took issue with that, instead telling the midfielder to enjoy his football while at Arsenal.
"I think he's a really interesting player for Arteta," the former Gunners defender said.
"When I listen to him it's what I see on the pitch. He talks about the team a lot, doesn't really talk about himself.
"The spotlight has been on him since he was a 16-year-old kid who went to Real Madrid. Maybe he should be a little bit more willing to talk about himself.
"It's about him now. This goal should elevate him now. Lift him. Give him the confidence he needs to express himself.
"He talks about being frightened of making mistakes. That's the wrong attitude.
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"You’ve got to love it. You ’ve got to play with freedom. Be free in your mind and Wenger used to say 'just relax and play. Play what's on.'
"And I think there's something there under the bonnet. We saw a glimpse of that with that strike. That is a top drawer effort he's hit there.
"But there are other mistakes in the game and just needs confidence. I think he's been in a difficult situation, it's an interesting signing.
"I'm not even sure he's going to play at the weekend because Smith Rowe is fit."
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