Keown reveals regret over not seeing Ibrahimovic in an Arsenal shirt

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has admitted he would have loved to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing for Arsenal.

The Swede has been a terrific performer for Untied this season and has never failed to deliver the goods in his illustrious career playing for the top clubs in Europe. Keown thinks Arsenal were wrong not to take him in when he trialled for them in 2000.

“I regret that Zlatan Ibrahimovic never joined Arsenal.” he wrote in the Daily Mail.

“He visited the club in 2000 as a teenager and such was his physique and frame my teammates joked that the Swede was coming to take my place as a centre-back.

“Even then you could see Ibrahimovic had such a big presence. Now that he is thriving at Manchester United, the comparisons to Eric Cantona are inevitable.”

While Keown thinks the comparisons to the Red Devil legend are totally warranted, he also still believes Ibrahimovic’s physicality gives him an edge over Cantona.

“I man-marked Cantona for England against France and for Everton when he was at Leeds.” Keown said. “Although Cantona was an intelligent player, I never felt he was going to run away from me. When I could lock onto him, I knew I could deal with him.

“In one-on-one situation, Ibrahimovic has more. He is bigger, stronger and more powerful. Cantona unlocked the door for United’s success in his five seasons at the club. He will always be considered The King, but Ibrahimovic is helping to rescue United’s reputation and make them great again.”