Sports
Paul Scholes Calls Out Martin Keown During Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has called out Martin Keown for his commentary during Arsenal’s 2-1 loss at Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. The Gunners remain top of the Premier League, but could have their lead trimmed to just two points if Manchester City beat Sunderland later in the day.
By Mikel Arteta’s own lofty standards, it marked a second successive away league match where his side were underwhelming after having also been fortunate to earn even a point from their trip to Sunderland. While they have usually responded well to going a goal down, though, finding an equaliser through Leandro Trossard, a 96th-minute winner by Emi Buendia ended that run.
Arsenal were unbeaten in their last 17 matches across all competitions prior to this weekend, not losing since their trip to Anfield to face the Champions in late August. All things considered, it was a dreary afternoon for the north Londoners, but Keown’s commentary suggested otherwise.
The last-gasp goal was befitting of a team that has fought tooth and nail in recent weeks to ensure they remind everyone of their Champions League-qualifying capabilities under Unai Emery. The Spaniard’s relentless press and never-say-die attitude made another stunning cameo at Villa Park, and The Villans now sit second, three points below Arsenal.
But for anyone who managed to listen to the commentary rather than watch it, they can be forgiven for mistaking Arsenal as the dominant side, such was Keown’s bias. Scholes slammed him on his Instagram story, writing:
“Listening to [Martin] Keown on TNT is like listening to Paul Crerard on MUTV”
For those unfamiliar with the comparison he made, club legend Crerrard is known among Man United supporters as one of the most biased among them. But it wasn’t only the retired midfielder that had something to say on Keown’s subjectivity, as another X user remarked: “Martin Keown shouldn’t be on Arsenal games. The extreme bias is embarrassing.”
A second added: “Martin Keown is a genuinely awful pundit. I’ve never heard such biased takes in my life and that takes some doing,” while a third jokingly quipped: “Anyone know who Martin Keown supports?”
The Premier League Title Race Has Been Blown Wide Open
Had Arsenal won to stretch their unbeaten run further and temporarily taken an eight-point lead over Man City, then there would be no discussion about their credentials as a title-winning team. But following two small hiccups in their last three fixtures, and suddenly the chasing pack will be licking their lips again.
Villa, Man City, and Chelsea will all be hopeful of capitalising on the Gunners dropping points, and given Arteta’s history of slipping up around the winter period – coupled with the fact his side haven’t won a league title in over two decades – anything can happen now.
