Martin Keown criticised Arsenal shot-stopper Matt Turner as the Premier League side were held to a 2-2 draw in the Europa League last-16 first leg clash in Portugal.
Turner was handed a rare start for Arsenal on Thursday as one of six changes from the team that came from behind to beat Bournemouth last week.
The 28-year-old is keen for more chances at the Emirates but was at fault for Sporting’s opening goal as he failed to deal with a corner, allowing Goncalo Inacio to head home.
Arsenal, who currently sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League, had taken the lead through William Saliba but Sporting’s equaliser saw the momentum change, with the hosts almost taking advantage of a Turner error to take the lead before half-time.
Sporting were ahead after the break – Paulinho poking home after a Turner save – but the Gunners were back level when Granit Xhaka’s cross was deflected in off Morita.
‘Really he killed everybody with the first goal because he starts to come and then he goes back,’ Keown said of Turner.
‘Kiwior has got to do more than that too but if I’m playing regularly with this goalkeeper, I’m thinking I’m going to have to try and head things, because I can’t necessarily trust him.
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‘He had a first scary moments in the first half. He’s got to come and be dominant and win the ball from the corner, but he didn’t do it.
‘Arsenal could have even conceded again after Sporting score when Turner made another error on the ball.’
While Keown was concerned by Turner’s performance, he heaped praise on Arsenal goalscorer Saliba and said he continues to ‘grow in stature’.
‘The game lacked some rhythm in the first half but William Saliba really stood out for me,’ Keown added.
‘The goal obviously caps his performance, it’s a great header. There was only one person winning that cross. ‘He’s growing in stature now. Weak in, weak out, we’re seeing really good performances from him.’
