Roy Keane and Micah Richards have clashed over Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel following the Gunners 2-2 draw with Manchester City.
During the post-match analysis on Sky Sports, after John Stones’ late equaliser earned City a point at the Etihad, the duo went head-to-head in their assessment of the game. Arsenal had to play the second half with 10-men when Leandro Trossard was handed his marching orders by Michael Oliver just before half-time due to a second yellow for delaying play.
Despite the setback, Gabriel was on the verge of being Arsenal’s hero, having headed the Gunners in front after City took the lead early on through Erling Haaland. Leading 2-1 but down to 10-men, Mikel Arteta’s side opted to shut up shop in the second half to cling on to their lead, only to have all their hard work undone when Stones scored in injury time to make it 2-2.
READ MORE: Five things Mikel Arteta learned as Arsenal fell to late draw at Man City
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However, Keane felt that the two goals conceded by Arsenal overshadowed the performance of their central defenders Gabriel and Saliba. Conversely, Richards sang praises for the pair, especially considering the strength of their opposition, reports the Mirror.
“Man City will be disappointed in the way they sort of played in that second half,” Richards said. “I thought Gabriel and Saliba were unbelievable. To defend like that for 45 minutes in the second half against the best team in the league, it was just remarkable. Going and getting tight, dropping off spaces, organising, Gabriel scoring a goal…”
“When Gabriel came to Arsenal [he was] making a few mistakes on the ball, but he’s sort of changed his game to be reliable every single week. Whether it’s set pieces defending, set pieces attacking, his overall play, I just thought he was remarkable.”
(Image: PA)
Keane’s response was a simple one, with the Irishman saying: “They conceded two goals. They can’t have defended that well.” However, this didn’t go down too well with Richards.
“Yeah, [they conceded those goals] against one of the best teams we’ve ever seen in Premier League history,” Richard replied, with Keane shooting back immediately with: “It’s like we’re making out they’ve done something extraordinary”.
“Listen, Arsenal did well but City were really poor,” Keane added. “No movement, no overlaps, no underlaps, so it was more poor play from Man City than Arsenal’s brilliant defending.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
However, Richards pushed back. “We talk about Haaland, the best striker in world football. Arsenal were brave in that first half in the way they stepped up,” Richards said. Keane interjected to say Haaland scored.
Richards continued: “Haaland got his opportunity, the goals that we’ve seen him score at Dortmund with that space in behind – that can happen. And then, second half, they went into a low block and defended for their lives.”
“That’s the easiest part of football,” Keane hit back, but Richards wasn’t having any of it, countering with: “I’d agree with you if it wasn’t Manchester City.” Richards added: “Man City can dissect anyone at any time, you have to stay concentrating for the full 90 minutes and I just thought [Gabriel and Saliba] did that ever so well today.”