RIO FERDINAND shut down Martin Keown with a brutal response about Arsenal’s development.
The former Premier League defenders were part of BT Sport’s punditry team at the Etihad ahead of Manchester City’s crunching 4-1 win in the top-of-the-table clash.
The Gunners headed to Manchester City five points clear at the top but having played two more matches in this thrilling Premier League title race.
Patrick Vieira was talking up Arsenal and their chances of lifting the trophy – either this season or next.
Keown then chipped in by claiming his former side can now be classed as “winners”.
The ex-centre back said: “The manager has reinforced the old culture we used to have, a winning culture.
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“These guys are winners now, things have changed.
“People come to work to be the best.”
But Ferdinand immediately retorted: “How are they winners now?
“They’ve not won nothing.”
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That left Keown on the back foot and scrambling for a comeback.
He replied: “No, no…”
And then Keown added: “Look at the number of games they have won.
“The reputation of these players has changed enormously, they were a soft touch, the players weren’t physical enough.
“If you play Arsenal now, you’re in a game.
“The culture has changed. They’ve come a long way.”
Ferdinand totally agreed that Mikel Arteta has helped transform Arsenal since taking over at the Emirates in December 2019.
But the FA Cup win that season is the only silverware to show for it just yet.
And the ex-Manchester United man is reluctant to overstate the success.
Ferdinand added: “I wouldn’t be going up against them saying they’re winners.
“The culture is changing and Arteta has done remarkably well.
“But to say they are a winning team is a stretch too far right now.
“They have a great opportunity this season. City are the team to beat.”
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Earlier on in the programme’s build-up, Keown left fans at home slamming him for the “cringiest moment of the season”.
When interviewing Arteta pitchside, he bizarrely decided to call him “boss”.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
