15 May 2023 , 11:38
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Arsenal hero Martin Keown has fiercely taken aim at Martin Tyler and Gary Neville for their “frightening” and “biased” commentary during the Gunners’ collapse against Brighton.
Mikel Arteta ’s men saw their title hopes hit with what could potentially be a terminal blow following a horrendous second-half performance on Sunday. Goals from Julio Enciso, Denis Undav and Pervis Estupinan after the break secured a memorable win for the Seagulls.
Whilst Keown might have been furious with his former side’s display, he was instead more interested in the state of the commentary on offer from Sky. Both legendary broadcaster Tyler and Manchester United icon Neville were the target of criticism.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Keown said: “The Sky commentary yesterday, how biased is the commentary team? It’s frightening. Martin Tyler is a great professional but he cannot hide that it simply hurts him that Arsenal might win a game of football.
“We know that Neville has got the problem. He was almost apologising. I almost lost my mind when he said we should be sending Martinelli off. No no, not at all, you go with your instinct.
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“So there we are as a poke in the eye to a commentator. You should be more respectful. Martin’s a great commentator but Sky, please don’t put him on the Arsenal games anymore, it’s a really hard listen.”
Martin Tyler has been a near ever-present of Sky Sports' football broadcasting (Getty Images)Do you think Martin Tyler and Gary Neville were biased? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Probed further by his fellow pundits Simon Jordan and Jim White, the former defender doubled down on his claims by suggesting that Arsenal supporters are in full agreement.
“Tell me then get the Arsenal fans, they’ve got to listen to it,” he added. “There’s only 60,000 in the stadium but most of us, millions of us are listening at home. Ask them what they think.”
White then further asked if he really believes that Tyler and Neville are biased against the Gunners to which Keown replied: “Yes I do. Let’s get it out there, come on.”
One of Tyler’s broadcasting colleagues leapt to his defence in the aftermath of Keown’s outlandish claims. Replying to a video of Keown, outgoing Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling said: “Absolute tripe.”
Keown’s claims are just the latest in a series of criticism being sent the way of legendary commentator Tyler. The 77-year-old appeared to have a problem with his voice throughout Arsenal’s showdown with Brighton, with some fans questioning why he was selected for the game.
Tyler has been a near-constant figure across since 1991 having previously been a part of the team at ITV. In 2003, he was voted the FA Premier League Commentator of the Decade.