Unseen footage shows Rio Ferdinand trolling Martin Keown over Arsenal loss at Everton

On Feb 5, 2023

Rio Ferdinand had no issue with rubbing salt into the wound for Martin Keown after his beloved Arsenal slipped to defeat at struggling Everton on Saturday.

The two pundits were on duty for BT Sport at Goodison Park for the Premier League’s early kick-off and Sean Dyche’s first match in charge of the Toffees. It was the perfect start for Dyche, who watched his side grind out a deserved 1-0 win over the league leaders to throw a spanner in Arsenal’s title charge.

James Tarkowski’s header from a corner on the hour mark proved to be the difference to earn Everton all three points, and Ferdinand made sure to let his colleague know about it.

In latest footage which has emerged from behind the scenes in the BT Sport studio, Ferdinand filmed himself reacting to Tarkowski’s goal and giving Keown a hard time about it. “Woah, woah, Arsenal, what’s happened?!” Ferdinand began.

He then repeatedly shouted: “Martin, what’s happened to your team?” Eventually responding after around three or four calls, Keown – who played for Everton for four years and Arsenal for 11 years – looked up from his notes and removed his glasses before stressing: “It’s only an hour in, there’s time.”

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Ferdinand let out a huge laugh which roared around the studio, as Rachel Brown-Finnis – who spent 11 years as a player for Everton – shouted: “WOO”. Ex-Man Utd star Ferdinand added: “Well, Goodison Park, this place has swallowed up many a man, back in the day, when it’s one of the Arsenal team today!”

Speaking after the game, Keown was measured in his analysis, praising Everton’s fanbase for getting behind the team despite protesting at the club’s owners before kick-off, while also admitted Arsenal were well under par. “The message from the manager [Dyche], they [Everton] were 10 yards further up the pitch,” he said. “This team was unrecognisable from its recent performance at West Ham, got the winning goal, and a bit of detail at the end cost Arsenal who didn’t turn up today.

Rio Ferdinand gave his fellow pundit some merciless stick after Everton’s goal

Ferdinand waxed lyrical about Everton’s display, stating: “They asked Arsenal them questions – can you deal with pressure? Can you deal with a fight? Can you deal with aggression? Can you deal with people leaving bits on you in individual battles and duels?

“And the Arsenal team today, they didn’t come here today and they didn’t live up to that, so they got their just rewards in that sense, but this is all down to hard work and graft. You look at these [Everton] players out there now celebrating with the fans, there’s a connection again that you need if you want to survive in this league.”