Roy Keane defends ‘passionate’ Mikel Arteta for his behaviour on the touchline against Man United

Roy Keane has defended Mikel Arteta for his emotional behavior on the touchline during Arsenal’s clash with Manchester United on Sunday.

The Gunners beat United 3-2 at home on Sunday afternoon to regain their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

However, Arteta was criticized for his behavior on the sidelines when he received a yellow card for contesting Luke Shaw’s foul on Bukayo Saka.

Roy Keane has defended Mikel Arteta for his emotional behavior on the touchline on Sunday

Keane has said he has no problem with Arteta’s behavior and credited the Spaniard for being “passionate” about his team.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Keane said: “Well, I certainly wouldn’t worry about the yellow cards, it’s the red ones you have to worry about!

“But from Arsenal’s point of view, I think they would agree, because he’s obviously passionate and you’re not in this job to be liked.”

Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League after beating Man United

Eddie Nketiah (above) scored a brace as the Gunners beat United 3-2 at home on Sunday

Keane added: “He’s there to win football games for Arsenal and that’s what he’s doing.”

‘Listen, he has a yellow card, he has to take his medicine, but I usually don’t have a problem with that.

“We see other coaches doing things that we might not always agree with, but they’re emotional, they’re passionate, and I think that’s just because he wants to win.” I wouldn’t be too hard on him.

Keane also said Arsenal have a “great chance” to win the Premier League title after picking up 50 points from 19 league games.

He said: ‘They’re in a great place. There is an evil in them and they know what to do on the soccer field.

Arteta was criticized for his behavior on the sidelines when receiving a yellow card

Keane also said that Arsenal were a “nice group” who had a “great chance” of winning the league.

‘It will take a lot to stop them. it was a pressure game [on Sunday] and they treated him well. They have a great chance to win the league.’

The pundit praised the team as a “likeable group with a lot going for it” as he felt they were “responding to their critics” after missing out on the top four last season.

The former Manchester United captain also said the club had ‘the right people up top’ and it was ‘good to see’ Arsenal ‘back at the top table’.

Arsenal will return to action on Friday when they take on Manchester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.