Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown clashed over just how far Arsenal have come while covering the Gunners humbling defeat at the hands of Manchester City on Wednesday night.
Mikel Arteta's side made the trip to the Etihad knowing that only a win would do for their title hopes, but fell drastically short of the standard required. A Kevin De Bruyne brace either side of a John Stones header put the hosts firmly in the driving seat, before Erling Haaland put the result beyond any doubt after Rob Holding netted a consolation goal for the Gunners.
Heading into the game, the pre-match discourse centred around the theory that whoever went on to win this game, would go on to lift the league title at the back end of May. Regardless, Keown claimed Arteta had already restored Arsenal's winning reputation, something Ferdinand didn't exactly agree with.
"Arsenal are rebuilding their reputation, if it doesn't work out for them it isn't a collapse or they have bottled it, I don't buy into that.," Keown explained. "This team will win something no doubt about that."
Ferdinand wasn't sold on Keown's theory that Arsenal could now be viewed as "winners" given they haven't won silverware of any kind since 2020, while their last league title triumph dates all the way back to 2004.
"What the manager has done is reinforce the old winning culture that we used to have, these guys are winners now," Keown declared.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Keown wrong to label this Arsenal side as "winners"? Comment below
Ferdinand was quick to reply: "How? They haven't won anything."
Keen to defend his original stance, Keown bit back: "Look at how many games they have won. They were a soft touch, not physical enough, now if you play them you're in a game and have to work."
Again though, Ferdinand was equally quick to disagree as he added: "I wouldn't be going up against them saying they are winners, they haven't won anything."
Keown was clearly aiming to get Ferdinand to acknowledge the culture change as he praised the way Arteta has operated amid the context of who and what he is up against.
"They have come a long way, this time last year they were beaten to fourth by Spurs, the team didn't have ingredients, but it's there now.
'No William Saliba has affected them, they have a small squad, Arteta made 30 changes this season, Pep Guardiola has made 77, Arsenal don't have that luxury."
Ferdinand did admit as much, as he conceded Arteta has helped improve the mentality in the Arsenal dressing room.
"The culture is changing and done remarkably well but it's a stretch too far to say they are a winning team."
It would appear unlikely that Arsenal have any silverware to show for their efforts this term, but Keown's sentiment is true. Arteta has drastically improved the Gunners from this time last year and can approach next term with plenty of hope.
