Roy Keane criticized Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for his post-match comments following the 2-2 draw against Manchester City, where Arteta complained about the refereeing and Leandro Trossard's red card. Keane urged Arteta to "accept it, show some class, and move on," expressing frustration with managers frequently blaming referees for their teams' struggles.
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Roy Keane, known for his blunt and direct opinions, didn't hold back when addressing Mikel Arteta's post-match comments following Arsenal's 2-2 draw against Manchester City.
The match itself had been a highly anticipated Premier League clash, and while the game delivered in terms of excitement and intensity, the aftermath was dominated by controversy surrounding the refereeing decisions. Arteta, who has been vocal in the past about refereeing inconsistencies, expressed his dissatisfaction, particularly about Leandro Trossard’s red card just before halftime, which shifted the momentum of the game. Bernardo Silva, one of Manchester City’s key players, echoed similar sentiments, feeling that the officiating played a significant role in the outcome of the match.
Keane, however, took issue with Arteta’s complaints, pointing out what he sees as a growing trend among managers who frequently blame refereeing decisions for their teams’ struggles. In his role as a commentator for Sky Sports, Keane’s opinions often reflect his no-nonsense approach, both as a player and pundit. Speaking about the Arsenal manager, Keane said, "Coaches are getting into the habit of saying every weekend that the decisions are against their team. Accept it. Deep down he [Mikel Arteta] was happy with the point they earned."
Keane continued by challenging Arteta’s reaction to Trossard’s red card, suggesting that the Arsenal boss should have handled the situation with more grace. "Show some class, Arsenal manager! He probably deserved the red card. That’s it, take the medicine and move on. Show some class!" he remarked, emphasizing that managers should learn to move past refereeing decisions rather than dwelling on them.
For Keane, the issue was not just about the Arsenal vs. Manchester City game but a larger concern about how managers in modern football increasingly use referees as scapegoats for poor results or difficult moments in matches. "It would be nice if a coach came out of a game and just said: 'Yes, it was a bit silly, it was a yellow card.' But what they say every week is: 'No, it wasn’t a foul, it wasn’t like that, something happened five minutes earlier…'" Keane said, pointing out the lack of accountability among some coaches.
Keane’s advice for Arteta, and managers in general, was clear: "Grow up! Players do things on the pitch, go out and show some class. Say: 'The referee gave him a chance before sending him off. We’re disappointed but we move on.'"
Keane’s remarks reflect a wider frustration with the culture of post-match criticism that focuses heavily on referees. As a former player who captained Manchester United with an uncompromising attitude, Keane has often been critical of the modern football landscape, where he believes players and managers alike are too quick to point fingers at referees or external factors, rather than addressing their own shortcomings.
The response to Keane’s comments has been mixed. Some football fans and pundits agree with his assertion that managers need to stop deflecting blame and should focus on their own team’s performance. Others, however, feel that Keane’s old-school approach doesn’t take into account the increasing scrutiny referees are under, with VAR (Video Assistant Referee) decisions also contributing to the complexity of the game.
Regardless of where opinions fall, Keane’s critique of Arteta has added another layer to the ongoing debate about the role of referees in modern football and how managers handle these situations in the public eye. As Arsenal continue their Premier League campaign, it remains to be seen whether Arteta will respond to Keane’s comments or adjust his approach in future press conferences following controversial matches.
