Martin Keown accuses talkSPORT host of going ‘too far’ in Arsenal ridicule in heated on-air clash
Criticism of Arsenal is unjust, lazy and uncalled for – they have not thrown away the Premier League title.
That’s the view of Gunners legend Martin Keown, who has taken umbrage to comments made by talkSPORT co-host Andy Goldstein.
Mikel Arteta’s side got back to winning ways in the Premier League on Sunday after smashing north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on the road.
It ended a run of two consecutive draws in the top-flight away at Brentford and Wolves, which has seen Manchester City close the gap on the league leaders from nine to five points.
In both games, Arsenal led in the second half, with the table-toppers throwing away a two-goal lead at Molineux last week, resulting in fans and pundits to mock the Carabao Cup finalists.
Goldstein was one of those who gleefully trolled the club after they dropped points at 20th-placed Wolves.
He declared that Arsenal are ‘done’ in the title race, as he backed Spurs to claim a result in Igor Tudor’s first match in charge, while quipping that Arteta has ‘given up winning’ for lent.
And when appearing in the talkSPORT studio on Monday, Keown demanded Goldstein – and Arsenal’s critics – to show his former employers more respect.
It sparked a heated on-air debate between three-time Premier League champion Keown and co-host Simon Jordan.
Having been top of the table for 18 weeks this term, Jordan stressed that it is, ‘Arsenal’s title to lose.’
Heated clash
Interjecting, Keown said: “So hold on a minute, with the resources that City have, the players they have brought in, the £85million they spent in the [winter] transfer window [on Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi]…”
After Jordan stressed the Gunners have also been financially backed in recent years, Keown remarked: “But look at the manager [Pep Guardiola] that they have, look at the number of trophies that he’s won, he’s won 18 trophies at Man City.”
After Sam Matterface pointed out that winning the title isn’t meant to be easy, Keown proceeded to turn his attention to talkSPORT colleague Goldstein.
He stated: “Of course it isn’t, but after one result, it was very interesting.
“The likes of Goldstein and people on these channels, other channels, diving in, ridiculing, loving it when other people don’t do well. That’s too far.”
It led Jordan to say: “That’s not true. I’m not going to defend Andy Goldstein because it’s not in my interests.”
Urging Goldstein to listen to his words on Drive from 4pm-7pm later on Monday, Keown then said: “Andy, play this later.
“If you want to be a good presenter and you want to go to the next level, don’t take fun from other people losing their demise.”
Jordan’s wasn’t having it, as he told Keown: “I’m not sure you need to lecture people about how they conduct themselves, Martin, you have no objectivity.
“So the reason why you catch shrapnel is because you lack objectivity.
“You are very subjective about situations, you become very defensive of it, no-one has got any agenda against Arsenal.”
Keown snapped back, saying: “That’s where you’re wrong, that’s naive, who is naive now?”
Defending his point, Jordan said: “There’s nothing naive about it, nobody’s got an agenda against Arsenal, except when Arsenal make it about themselves and put themselves in a situation where they’re beyond criticism.
“If you drop points against Wolves and Nottingham Forest, you deserve to be called out for it.”
After being challenged by Jordan at the thought of Arsenal not winning the league from the position they were, and still are in, Keown stated: “I’m bristling with Andy Goldstein.
“Laughing, giggling at the demise of a football club, if they’re suffering.”
Jordan continued to state that it is Arsenal’s title to lose, with Matterface then pointing out that the club have been top of the table for 151 out of 195 days.
Again not having the notion that Arsenal must win the title from this position, Keown said: “So did I miss something? Was the title handed out at Christmas?”
Returning to criticism from pundits, Keown remarked: “It’s really interesting when Arsenal trip and fall over, the ridicule that they face is unprecedented.
“The amount of scrutiny that this team [face], every Monday, it’s, ‘Oh can they win it, oh can they lose it again?'”
Matterface then interjected, asking Keown why does he bristle so much when Arteta challenged his team to show what they are made of against Spurs and to prove why they are top of the table.
To which Keown said: “No, I was talking about somebody who works for this network who, for me, takes fun out of people’s demands.”
When pressed whether Keown’s problem is strictly with Goldstein, he replied: “Oh 100 per cent, yeah, he’s having a giggle.”
Arsenal will now turn their attention to facing Chelsea in what promises to be another fiery London derby.
The Gunners have already beaten the Blues twice this season in the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final.
And they go into the match on a ten-game unbeaten run against Liam Rosenior’s men since losing 2-0 at the Emirates in August 2021.
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