Richard Keys' feud with Mikel Arteta might be one-way traffic, but the broadcaster is showing no signs of backing away from his criticism of the Arsenal boss.
Keys has not been afraid to take aim at Arteta throughout the season, remaining unimpressed with the Spaniard's touchline antics. He called Arteta an "embarrassment" after Arsenal's draw with Newcastle United in early January, and also took aim at the Gunners boss after the league leaders beat Spurs in the north London derby.
The feud was reignited after Sunday's events, with Arteta picking up a booking during the first half of his team's Premier League victory over Man Utd. After the game, Keys wasted little time taking aim at the 40-year-old.
"Well done, Antony Taylor," Keys said on beIN Sports after the referee carded Arteta. "Quite right. Perhaps we’re making progress now. There’s absolutely no need for it."
Keys has not held back in his criticism of Arteta, including pointing out instances of the manager leaving his technical area. This is what happened shortly after the half-hour mark, with the former Manchester City assistant reacting none too kindly to a foul by Luke Shaw on Bukayo Saka, and commentator Martin Tyler also took note.
"Well, two weeks ago I can tell you that there was a meeting. I think at St George’s Park, amongst officials, about dugout behaviour by managers," Tyler said. “We mentioned it because last week we had Antonio Conte, who has got a bit of previous in this aspect and Mikel Arteta.
“You say it’s fair enough, but it’s not fair enough, in truth, because we have seen Jurgen Klopp get sent off. It is an emotional game, we don’t want to take that away from those down on the touchline, but there are technical areas you are meant to stay in."
Was Anthony Taylor right to book Mikel Arteta? Have your say in the comments section
Keys wasn't the only one to criticise Arteta for his antics. Gary Neville, who was on co-commentary duty, considered Shaw's challenge to be a "basic foul" and defender referee Taylor.
"I think he’s right there, Anthony Taylor," the former Man Utd captain said. "He’s been singled out over the last few weeks, Mikel Arteta, but I have to say it was just a basic foul, there was nothing in it.
"Shaw’s just trying to get in front of him, Saka does well, but he charges back up the touchline like a madman, Mikel Arteta, just watch him. There’s nothing in it, it’s a foul, move on with the game. He makes it look like he’s two-footed him."
Roy Keane, however, had some sympathy for Arteta. "Well I certainly wouldn’t worry about yellow cards, it’s the reds that you’ve got to worry about!" the pundit said.
"But from the Arsenal point of view I think they’d be OK with it, because he’s obviously passionate and you’re not in this job to be liked! He’s there to win football matches for Arsenal and that’s what he’s doing."
