Roy Keane put in his place by Micah Richards during awkward Man City vs Arsenal debate
Micah Richards and fellow pundit Roy Keane were locked in a fierce debate after Manchester City rescued a late point against 10-man Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium
Roy Keane and Micah Richards disagreed on Arsenal stars William Saliba and Gabriel after the Gunners' draw away to Manchester City.
Broadcaster Sky Sports cut to the pair in the studio after John Stones ' stoppage-time goal rescued a point for City at the Etihad Stadium. Arsenal had played the entire second half with 10 men after Leandro Trossard was shown a second yellow card moments before the break for delaying the restart.
Gabriel looked as though he'd end the day celebrating a winner, with his header from Bukayo Saka's corner helping Arsenal turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead. They were also part of a deep defensive line in the second half, with Mikel Arteta adding an extra defender in an effort to protect the narrow advantage.
Keane argued the two City goals took away from the achievements of Arsenal's starting centre-back pair. Richards didn't share that view, though, and the former City centre-back hailed the Gunners paid.
READ MORE: Sky Sports fans can save £216 on their bill, here's three other reasons you'll want to pick itREAD MORE: Arsenal and Man City stars involved in furious bust-up as tensions boil over in title clash"Man City will be disappointed in the way they sort of played in that second half," Richards said. "I thought Gabriel and Saliba were unbelievable. To defend like that for 45 minutes in the second half against the best team in the league, it was just remarkable. Going and getting tight, dropping off spaces, organising, Gabriel scoring a goal...
"When Gabriel came to Arsenal [he was] making a few mistakes on the ball, but he's sort of changed his game to be reliable every single week. Whether it's set pieces defending, set pieces attacking, his overall play, I just thought he was remarkable."
Keane's response was a simple one, with the Irishman saying: "They conceded two goals. They can't have defended that well." However, this didn't go down too well with Richards.
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"Yeah, [they conceded those goals] against one of the best teams we've ever seen in Premier League history," he replied. Keane refused to make too much of the result with 10 men, though, saying "It's like we're making out they've done something extraordinary".
"Listen, Arsenal did well but City were really poor," he continued. "No movement, no overlaps, no underlaps, so it was more poor play from Man City than Arsenal's brilliant defending."
Richards saw it differently, though. "We talk about Haaland, the best striker in world football. Arsenal were brave in that first half in the way they stepped up," he said. "Haaland got his opportunity, the goals that we've seen him score at Dortmund with that space in behind - that can happen. And then, second half, they went into a low block and defended for their lives."
"That's the easiest part of football," Keane replied, but Richards felt the opposition made things different. "I'd agree with you if it wasn't Manchester City," he replied. "Man City can dissect anyone at any time, you have to stay concentrating for the full 90 minutes and I just thought [Gabriel and Saliba] did that ever so well today."
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