Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown feels the Laurent Koscielny-Shkodran Mustafi partnership is coming along nicely.

The French and German centre-backs have combined positively over the season but in recent times, things have started to slip slightly.

Referring to last week's 5-1 capitulation at Bayern Munich, Keown believes that Mustafi needs to improve and reach the level of Koscielny for the on-field relationship to fully blossom.

“They have looked good in the main," he said in a Q&A for the Daily Mail.

“Mustafi got caught out against Bayern Munich. There's no shame in being caught out, but it's fine lines that takes you from good to great.

“Koscielny has proven he is a top talent – he just needs the trophies.

“There are one or two issues that need to be ironed out and they all revolve around crossing. Lewandowski scored a brilliant goal but it could have been eradicated.

“People remember the finished article and not the beginning – Mustafi is still at the beginning of his road at Arsenal. He needs to build the determination to ensure it doesn't happen again.

“He needs to be more on red alert when he plays."