Roy Keane likes to judge character and Mikel Arteta was the target of his cutting analysis following Arsenal's deflating 3-1 loss to Manchester United on Sunday.
The Gunners slumped to defeat at Old Trafford, with Bukayo Saka's second-half equaliser only be rendered a consolation as they dominated possession but were toothless on too many occasions. But it wasn't just a poor defensive display that left Arsenal fans and their manager furious, as Gabriel Martinelli also had a goal controversially ruled out thanks to a VAR check after only 11 minutes.
And that's where Keane picked up on a trait which is becoming a trend whenever the Gunners lose. Post-match, Arteta criticised the match officials once again and told Sky Sports: "It's a lack of consistency. What is soft? Last week, they [Aston Villa] got a goal when there's a foul on Aaron [Ramsdale], but it's soft and it's not a foul.
"Then there's a penalty on Bukayo [who Villa centre-back Tyrone Mings challenged] but it's soft and not a penalty. Today this is a foul. There were some strong tackles and no yellow cards because the threshold is low because it's a big game. It's really difficult to accept."
Keane was having none of Arteta's comments, though, labelling the Gunners boss a "sore loser." "I'm fed up of all their excuses. I'm serious," the United legend declared. "Arteta gets interviewed after the game, he's a sore loser, like us all. 'He's got to give a little bit of credit to Man United but he never does.
"Every time he loses a game it's all about what the opposition didn't do properly or the officials. Stop making excuses. You lost the game 3-1, you've done okay. Take your plaudits but give me the points any day of the week."
While he likely won't have heard what Keane had to say, Arteta continued to vent his frustration at referee Paul Tierney in his post-match news conference. "The referee said it was a really soft decision – we just ask for consistency, today we disallowed the goal again, there is nothing we can unfortunately now."
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The Spaniard infamously lost his cool with the officials after last season's nightmare 3-0 defeat to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, as Arsenal threw away their hopes of playing in the Champions League this term. Rob Holding was sent off - coincidentally by Tierney - early in the match for a second yellow card and Arteta didn't hold back.
"If I say what I think I'm suspended for six months," he claimed. "I'm allowed to give my interpretation on the game but I don't like to lie so I'd prefer not to say. With my players, I'm so proud of my players. You can ask the referee to come in front of the camera and explain his decisions. I make mine. That’s his decision. A beautiful game was destroyed today."
Maybe Keane has a point.
