Former Manchester United and Ireland captain Roy Keane believes that the praise for Arsenal's defence against Manchester City last weekend is hypocritical.
In the first half, City took the lead through Erling Haaland, but goals from Ricardo Califori and Gabriel ensured that Arsenal went into the break 2-1 up.
However, the game turned on its head when Trossard received a second yellow card from Michael Oliver for delaying the restart.
The second half was dominated by City, and they managed to snatch a point thanks to a late goal from John Stones, the City defender.
Arsenal have been both praised and criticised for their rearguard action at the Etihad last weekend.
Keane believes that if former Premier League managers known for their defensive strategies, such as Tony Pulis, Sam Allardyce, Steve Bruce, or Neil Warnock, had set up a team like that in the second half, they would be labelled as dinosaurs by the wider public.
“If Tony Pulis, Sam Allardyce, Steve Bruce, or Neil Warnock set up a team like that for the second half, they are ‘dinosaurs’,” said Keane on the Stick to Football podcast. “When Arsenal do it, it’s called ‘brilliant’; it’s ‘concentration levels.’ When they win the ball back, which they do every now and again, they should try to look after it and get up the pitch."
Ian Wright refuted Keane's claims, asking, "What should they have done?"
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Keane explained that while he didn't mind Arsenal defending well, he questioned their approach when they gained possession. Manchester City had over 460 passes in Arsenal's half, while the away side completed around 100 passes in the second half alone.
“I don’t mind defending,” Keane added. “But I’m saying when they did win the ball back, they should have tried to look after it and get up the pitch. There were a couple of incidents where, I think it was [Ben] White, the ball just bounced and he kicked it out of play. [Declan] Rice, a couple of them just kicked it up the pitch. This is Arsenal we’re talking about.
“I’m not talking about a Championship team in the FA Cup hanging on for a result. Remember, they got a clean sheet there last year, so they have had results there, Wrighty. But I’m talking about when they got the ball
“There’s nothing wrong with defending and sitting deep; no problem. But when they had possession, you went, ‘Can you try and do something?’ They were just booting it up the pitch.”
Arsenal play Leicester City on Saturday at 3 pm, while Manchester City play Newcastle tomorrow at 12:30 pm.
