Martin Keown's Red-and-White Specs: Defending Arsenal's Dodgy Pen to the Bitter End
Martin Keown has fiercely defended Arsenal against recent criticism, but his staunch support for a controversial penalty in their match has raised eyebrows. During TNT Sports analysis, he dismissed suggestions of bias even when pressed by host Lynsey Hipgrave, insisting VAR contact justified the call. Critics argue his Gooner loyalty is clouding his punditry judgment.
Martin Keown's Red-and-White Specs: Defending Arsenal's Dodgy Pen to the Bitter End
Picture this: you're in the pub, pint in hand, dissecting the latest Arsenal drama. Enter Martin Keown, the former Gunners hardman turned pundit, who's basically turned himself into a human shield for Mikel Arteta's lads. Lately, he's been batting away critics left, right and centre, but has he gone too far? As noted by the folks at Football365, Keown's latest TNT Sports rant might just tip him into full-on fanboy territory.
Shielding the Gunners from All Comers
Keown's been on a mission. When Alan Pardew suggested an Arsenal title would need an asterisk, Martin wasn't having it. And Fabian Hurzeler's cheeky dig after Brighton's loss to the Gunners? Straight-up sour grapes, says Keown. Fair play, you might think – everyone's entitled to stick up for their old club.
But then came Arsenal's midweek draw with Bayer Leverkusen. Suddenly, Keown's not just defending; he's rewriting the script. He's all in on 'winning football' – pragmatic, gritty, whatever it takes. We get it, it's effective, even if it makes for gritty viewing. The question is, does his loyalty blind him to the obvious?
The Penalty That Broke the Camel’s Back
Fast forward to the post-match chat on TNT Sports, hosted by Lynsey Hipgrave. The hot topic? A penalty awarded to Arsenal. Replays show Noni Madueke, subbed on and injecting some dynamism (credit where due), feeling the slightest nudge from Malick Tillman's boot – or was it his backside? – before tumbling in the box.
Keown, peering through his imaginary Gooner monocle, declares it a stonewall spot-kick. 'That left foot gets trapped,' he insists, after multiple angles. Fine, opinions vary, and VAR backed it. But here's the rub: Hipgrave nails him with the killer question. 'If that was given against Arsenal, what would you say?'
Keown's response? Pure gold for meme-makers. 'You're turning things around, Lynsey – there wasn't a pen against us!' As Hipgrave chuckles and prods again – 'Would you say he hardly touched him?' – Martin doubles down: 'VAR won't overturn if there's contact, and there was.' It's like watching a toddler plug his ears and yell 'la la la'. Nuance? What's that?
Bukayo Saka had an off night, as even Keown admits, but our man soft-pedals it. Madueke? Top sub appearance. Yet on that pen, zero room for grey areas. It's peak punditry partisanship.
Bias, Passion, or Just a Bit of Both?
Look, Keown's no stranger to trench warfare on the pitch, and his passion for Arsenal is infectious. We've all got that club that twists us into pretzels. But when you're on telly, paid to analyse, rejecting hypotheticals screams 'red card for objectivity'.
Football365 called it: Keown's morphed from pundit to Arsenal attack dog. Maybe he needs a mate to whisper, 'Mate, the club's not gonna shag you.' Or his mum to say, 'Stop showing off.' Either way, it's entertaining chaos.
In a world of bland hot takes, Keown's fire keeps us hooked. Just don't ask him about soft pens the other way. Next time Arsenal ship one, will he eat his words? Pull up a stool – we'll be watching.