‘We’d never hear the end of it’ – Keown cries Arteta hypocrisy over De Zerbi reaction in Arsenal defeat

Martin Keown has cried hypocrisy over Roberto De Zerbi’s reaction in Brighton’s 3-0 win over Arsenal, claiming “we’d never hear the end of it” had Mikel Arteta done the same.

The Seagulls stunned the Gunners at the Emirates on Sunday to all but end their hopes of claiming the Premier League title, with Mikel Arteta’s side now sitting four points behind Manchester City, who have played a game less.

Goals from Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinan saw Brighton ease past Arsenal and De Zerbi was seen mimicking Jose Mourinho’s iconic knee-slide celebration on the touchline when the third went in.

De Zerbie’s opposite number Arteta has been criticised for his exuberance at times this season and Keown reckons the Spaniard would have been berated had it been him engaging in such wild celebration.

“I honestly feel that if Arteta did a knee-slide down the side of the pitch, we’d never hear the end of it. But for some reason it’s okay for De Zerbi to do it?” he told talkSPORT.

“I like the emotion on show, but I think because it’s Brighton who are inoffensive and they’re everyone’s second favourite team, we turn a blind eye to it.”

Keown then questioned whether De Zerbi should have been cautioned for entering the field of play.

“As a goalscorer, you take your shirt off and get a yellow card. Do you not think that if the manager comes racing onto the pitch like De Zerbi did with his celebration, is that not an automatic yellow card?”

Keown’s saltiness rather got away from him at talkSPORT on Monday, as

Keown said: “The Sky commentary yesterday, how biased is the commentary team? It’s frightening.

“Martin Tyler is a great professional but he cannot hide that it hurts him that Arsenal might win a game of football.

“So, there we are, a poke in the eye to a commentator. I should be more respectful – Martin’s a great commentator. But please Sky don’t put him on the Arsenal games anymore – it’s a really hard listen.”

Host Jim White then asked Keown to confirm whether he thinks Tyler is “anti-Arsenal”.