Martin Keown says Arsenal MUST back Mikel Arteta as he tries to build a squad of gifted players playing 'total football' - but Joe Cole says he CAN'T understand the clubs signings or general direction

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Martin Keown insisted Arsenal have to support Mikel Arteta while he tries to build a squad of 'gifted players' playing 'total football'.

The Gunners started the season poorly, picking up just 14 points from 14 games as they languished around the relegation zone. However, results improved dramatically after Christmas and the club are now back challenging near the top six.

Arteta has put his faith in youngsters while moving on some older players and those surplus to requirements, including Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac, while he also brought in Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid in January.  

Martin Keown (left) said Arsenal must back manager Mikel Arteta (right) as he attempts to build a squad of 'gifted players' playing 'total football'

Keown believes the Spaniard is undertaking a rebuilding job and insisted the club and fans have to get behind their manager. 

'It was a disastrous start to the season - 14 points from 14 games. They've lost 11 games already this season. We are in a rebuilding process,' Keown told BT Sport before the Gunners 1-1 draw at Burnley. 

'Now there is a nucleus of youngsters at Arsenal that they're relying heavily on. There are some good players. We need to give them a chance. It's about a respectable league position. You're an Arsenal player, you've got to put a performance in. 

The Gunners boss has put his faith in young players like midfielder Emile Smith Rowe  

He also brought in Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid in the January transfer window

'I feel if Smith-Rowe was fit today, Odegaard would not be playing. It does point to the direction that the manager wants to go. He wants to play this total football style of play, with people who are really technically very gifted. 

'There's no doubt he can do that, Odegaard. Today's a really big opportunity for him to stamp his future on this football club. Real Madrid, I believe, want to take him back. Nonetheless, it's a real opportunity for him to play the way that he feels he can. But Smith-Rowe, I didn't want his route into the first team blocked.

'They've got to start winning games. There's some huge games coming up. He'll be judged on where they finish in the league. Arsene Wenger managed to finish on 20 occasions in the top four. You need to start getting consistency. 

'There have been lots of changes at the football club. They need to support him (Arteta). He's talking about controlling games and better decision making, we need to see that now.'

Fellow BT Sport pundit Joe Cole, however, said he was confused by the direction the Gunners were heading in and questioned their decision to sign several older players including Willian and David Luiz.

'You look at the Arsenal team. They're saddled with debt, it's been three years now without Champions League football,' he said.

Joe Cole (left) questioned the signings of older players such as Willian (right)

'It affects the dynamics of the club and who you bring through the door. You bring in Odegaard on loan, and then Willian, and at the same time you're trying to bring through the youngsters... when I look at Arsenal, and I think of the great teams Martin played in, I know Arsenal fans are a bit disenchanted and I can see why. 

'I don't see the direction they're going in. I think Arteta's the right man, he's done his apprenticeship. I think he's a very good coach. Navigating the politics to bring players in at Arsenal seems difficult. 

'It was so stable under Wenger. I don't see the reasoning behind some of the signings. David Luiz at 33, on a two-year deal. Willian, two-year deal at 32. Loan deals, I'm not sure where they're going.'