Martin Keown’s ‘touchy’ exchange with Rio Ferdinand after Arsenal criticism
Martin Keown will have to watch his tongue as Arsenal take on Wolves in the 8pm kick off today. The former defender was slammed for being “biased” during the Gunners’ victory over Aston Villa last time out – and that is not the first time he has been involved in an awkward exchange on air.
The Gunners endured a fiercely contested 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in 2024 and during the post-match debrief Rio Ferdinand accused Keown of being “touchy” when it comes to the analysis of Arsenal.
The on-air comments sparked laughs among the pundits and were in a light-hearted nature but there have been murmurs bubbling away since.
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Fast forward to Villa Park last weekend and the ‘Invincible’ defender came under fire again, this time from His Royal Highness Prince William, who took to X to question Keown’s decision to name Martin Odegaard as man of the match as opposed to the match-winner Emi Buendia.
The Prince of Wales posted: “Surely Emi Buendia for Man of the Match? ! An incredible game! UTV [Up the Villa].”
Keown defended himself from the criticism as he pointing out that Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher also feel the heat when working on Manchester United and Liverpool matches.
Keown told talkSPORT: “Whenever I listen to former players, closely associated with those clubs, maybe Gary Neville, I wrestle with the thought that, ‘this sounds really biased’. I don’t think you can change that perception.
“I’m trying to be balanced, and in a professional sense, I’m working hard to do that.”
He also explained why he gave the man of the match award to Odegaard instead of Buendia, saying: “I’m really sorry that I’ve upset royalty, but I actually gave it out – can you believe it? – in the 89th minute. I was a bit early. “We can unofficially change it. I don’t want to be court-martialled.”
Keown enjoyed an illustrious spell at Arsenal winning three Premier League titles.
With Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side battling at the top of the Premier League, the scrutiny that accompanies challenging for the title is expected and with Keown continuing his punditry work for TNT, it would be very surprising if this was the last time he is accused of favouring the Gunners or this being his last tetchy on-air encounter.
