Forget Odegaard and Gyokeres, Martin Keown says another Arsenal partnership isn’t ‘marrying’

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Viktor Gyokeres wasn’t the only Arsenal player to struggle on the opening day at Old Trafford.

Arsenal won 1-0 against Manchester United to kick off the 2025/26 campaign, but improvement is certainly needed. 

On his Premier League debut, Gyokeres looked isolated due to the lack of creativity Mikel Arteta’s attackers offered, with Martin Odegaard failing to release the ball early enough countless times.

The Swede wasn’t the only new arrival to experience a baptism of fire in the English top-flight, as Martin Zubimendi was challenged on his debut. 

• READ MORE: Ally McCoist says he knows what Viktor Gyokeres will be thinking after difficult debut vs Man Utd

Martin Keown raises concerns about Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi

There are high hopes about what Zubimendi will offer to Declan Rice, being the holding midfielder that will allow the Englishman to venture upfield.

Arsenal fans are already sold on Zubimendi and Rice’s partnership, but Martin Keown believes the pair need more time to learn how to play as a pivot in the Premier League. 

Analysing the Gunners’ win over United on talkSPORT, Keown raised his concern about how often the England international left his new partner alone.

“Zubimendi in that midfield was left on his own quite a lot, Declan Rice, that relationship is not quite marrying in the way that Arsenal wanted.” 

The verdict from fans on Zubimendi’s Premier League debut was mixed, as at times, the Spaniard appeared to be a bit lost in midfield, something Rice’s positional fluidity did not help.

Just like Gyokeres’ struggles, these creases will iron out with time and adaptation, with the United win suggesting that Arteta’s new-look squad are yet to properly gel on the pitch.

Rice had a really poor outing at Old Trafford

Another similarity to Gyokeres’ debut is that, to some degree, Zubimendi wasn’t helped by those around him.

While Arsenal’s lack of creativity let the striker down, Rice’s horrendous performance against United made Zubimendi’s life a lot harder.

As seen by the duo’s numbers, Arsenal’s summer signing was far more impactful than his midfield partner, who failed to win a single duel.

It was a peculiar display from Rice, who is known for his consistency, but at Old Trafford, the Englishman’s performance had a very first competitive game after summer break feel.