Martin Keown has revealed that some sage advice his father gave him on the eve of his move to London, to begin a football apprenticeship with Arsenal in 1984, saved him from the pitfalls of the club’s drinking culture.
Arsenal enjoyed significant success in the late 80s and early 90s, but their work-hard-play-hard attitude during this era is famous. Perhaps Keown’s father was aware of this.
“My dad sat me down before I went to London and told me in no uncertain terms not to waste the opportunity,” Keown explains, speaking exclusively to FourFourTwo. “The message was to steer clear of alcohol and gambling. I found it easy to avoid both.
