Bloody Mohamed Elneny. Coming over here, taking Craig Eastmond’s place in the Arsenal team…
Or at least that’s how Martin Keown appeared to see things.
The former Arsenal defender was on punditry duty with the BBC as his old side faced non-league Sutton on Monday evening, and came out with quite possibly the most bizarre piece of analysis we’ll hear all season.
Referring to the combative nature of some of Sutton’s players during the first half of the match, Keown highlighted the example of an Eastmond challenge on Egyptian international Elneny, appearing to suggest that his motivation for tackling him was based almost exclusively on the fact that he was a foreign player.
“Look at this, bang!” Keown says as the clip of the tackle is shown. “You’re the foreign player that’s come over to take my place, and I’m going to let you know.”
Here. Have another listen.
"You're the foreign player coming here to take my place" What is Martin keown on about. #FACup #BBC #MOTD #SUFCvAFC #villageidiot pic.twitter.com/ivknlwfSlp
— David Bullock (@daveyb83) February 20, 2017
Naturally, the comment caused quite a reaction amongst viewers.
https://twitter.com/ForzaMundial/status/833783077646245889
https://twitter.com/DaveMUFC16/status/833784386017488897
Did anyone here Keown saying the Sutton players were annoyed at the foreign players for 'stealing their opportunity'? 😂😂😂
— David (@TekkaBooSon) February 20, 2017
Martin Keown surely winning a bet live on air there by suggesting Sutton players aren't playing for arsenal because of foreign players
— Michael Morrow (@MichaelMorrow93) February 20, 2017
Arsenal were already leading by a Lucas Perez (also foreign) goal at the break and went two goals up through Theo Walcott (not foreign) in the second half to pretty much make sure of a place in the FA Cup quarter finals for Arsenal.
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