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15-05-2004, 08:09:AM
According to soccernet.com Martin Keown will make his final appearance for Arsenal on Saturday after being told he will have to leave the club this summer if he wishes to continue his playing career.
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http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=300583&cc=5901
Keown 'finished' at Arsenal - Wenger
Martin Keown will make his final appearance for Arsenal on Saturday after being told he will have to leave the club this summer if he wishes to continue his playing career.
Keown: Calling time at Gunners? (JohnWalton/Empics)
However, the veteran defender, who joined Arsenal as a trainee in 1982, has been reassured that a coaching role awaits him at Highbury in the future.
Keown, who turns 38 in July, is out of contract this summer but believes he can continue playing and several top-flight clubs would be interested in the services of such an experienced defender.
Wenger confirmed: 'I think that Martin is finished here as a player and, if he wants to go on and play - as I think he will - he will certainly sign somewhere else.
'Later, he will certainly be a coach. I think it will be here. He has two more years to offer as a player first.'
Wenger will ensure Keown, who could interest the likes of Norwich, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Portsmouth, earns his third Premiership winner's medal by making his 10th appearance of the season as a substitute against Leicester.
After all, he believes the former England international embodies just what Arsenal have achieved in reaching the verge of an historic unbeaten league campaign.
'I'm very happy to speak highly about Martin. In his last session of the season ahead of a game in which he will be a substitute, he stayed on to do extra training,' he added.
'That tells you more than anything else. You cannot give someone that special motivation and, without it, you won't be a champion like Martin.
'From the first to the last minute of the season, he is prepared to fight and give his best in every minute. You pay to coach those people as they make you enjoy the job.'
Keown, who has a testimonial at Highbury on Monday, has spent two spells at Arsenal, having also played for Aston Villa and Everton in between.
He admitted recently: 'Having left this club once before, I know what it can do to you. Manchester United players probably say the same so you don't go lightly.
'I'll leave the door open but if I have to go, everyone has to leave here at some point. It's what you do while you're here that matters.'
Wenger, meanwhile, also revealed that several clubs had shown an interest in taking promising 19-year-old winger David Bentley on loan next season.
'Norwich have shown a big interest but there are a few other clubs as well - West Ham, West Brom and Bolton - who are also interested,' said the Arsenal boss.
'I want him to stay in the Premiership or to be at the top end of the First Division. In the end, it will be down to him, as well as the club where he has the best chance to play regularly.'
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He is definately getting old but he does have some use to some Premiership teams. If Portsmouth were to get him that would sound like a good idea, but then again he is old and his skills seem to be detiorating.
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http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=300583&cc=5901
Keown 'finished' at Arsenal - Wenger
Martin Keown will make his final appearance for Arsenal on Saturday after being told he will have to leave the club this summer if he wishes to continue his playing career.
Keown: Calling time at Gunners? (JohnWalton/Empics)
However, the veteran defender, who joined Arsenal as a trainee in 1982, has been reassured that a coaching role awaits him at Highbury in the future.
Keown, who turns 38 in July, is out of contract this summer but believes he can continue playing and several top-flight clubs would be interested in the services of such an experienced defender.
Wenger confirmed: 'I think that Martin is finished here as a player and, if he wants to go on and play - as I think he will - he will certainly sign somewhere else.
'Later, he will certainly be a coach. I think it will be here. He has two more years to offer as a player first.'
Wenger will ensure Keown, who could interest the likes of Norwich, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Portsmouth, earns his third Premiership winner's medal by making his 10th appearance of the season as a substitute against Leicester.
After all, he believes the former England international embodies just what Arsenal have achieved in reaching the verge of an historic unbeaten league campaign.
'I'm very happy to speak highly about Martin. In his last session of the season ahead of a game in which he will be a substitute, he stayed on to do extra training,' he added.
'That tells you more than anything else. You cannot give someone that special motivation and, without it, you won't be a champion like Martin.
'From the first to the last minute of the season, he is prepared to fight and give his best in every minute. You pay to coach those people as they make you enjoy the job.'
Keown, who has a testimonial at Highbury on Monday, has spent two spells at Arsenal, having also played for Aston Villa and Everton in between.
He admitted recently: 'Having left this club once before, I know what it can do to you. Manchester United players probably say the same so you don't go lightly.
'I'll leave the door open but if I have to go, everyone has to leave here at some point. It's what you do while you're here that matters.'
Wenger, meanwhile, also revealed that several clubs had shown an interest in taking promising 19-year-old winger David Bentley on loan next season.
'Norwich have shown a big interest but there are a few other clubs as well - West Ham, West Brom and Bolton - who are also interested,' said the Arsenal boss.
'I want him to stay in the Premiership or to be at the top end of the First Division. In the end, it will be down to him, as well as the club where he has the best chance to play regularly.'
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He is definately getting old but he does have some use to some Premiership teams. If Portsmouth were to get him that would sound like a good idea, but then again he is old and his skills seem to be detiorating.