Martin Keown’s comments over Sky Sports’ “bias” against Arsenal have been dismissed as nonsense by Jeff Stelling.
Gary Neville and Martin Tyler were highlighted by the former Gunners player in the aftermath of their 3-0 defeat to Brighton on the weekend, with Keown claiming it is “frightening” how anti-Arsenal the commentary duo supposedly are.
But Stelling, who is soon to leave Sky as presenter of the Soccer Saturday programme, has hit back at the claims.
In a Twitter reply to a clip of Keown talking about the matter, the 68-year-old simply wrote: “Absolute tripe.”
Fans have largely backed Stelling in the row, with many feeling that veteran broadcaster Tyler was, in fact, not enthusiastic enough while commentating on Brighton’s goals at the Emirates Stadium.
Keown, 51, had argued that ex-Manchester United star Neville’s “problem” with Arsenal was well known.
“How biased is the Sky Sports commentary team? It is frightening,” he told talkSPORT.
“Martin Tyler is a great professional, but he cannot hide that it hurts him that Arsenal might win a game of football. Honestly, we know Neville has got a problem.
“He is almost apologising: ‘Have I lost my mind? Should we be sending [Gabriel] Martinelli off?’ No no, not at all, you go with your instinct.
“So, there we are, it is a poke in the eye to a commentator. I should be more respectful, Martin is a great commentator, but please Sky, don’t put him on the Arsenal games anymore. It is a really hard listen.”
