- Martin Keown had a light-hearted moment with Arsenal fans on Wednesday
- The Gunners legend tried to control a wayward ball at the Emirates
- CHRIS SUTTON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a clown It all starts
Martin Keown got one of the biggest cheers of the night at the Emirates on Wednesday as the Arsenal legend laughed off a terrible attempt at skill.
The 57-year-old is much loved by the Gunners faithful after making 483 appearances for the club and winning three Premier League titles during a hugely successful career.
But his own supporters couldn’t resist mocking Keown’s efforts as he tried to show the Emirates crowd of 60,000 that he still had it. Only when it mattered most, he didn’t.
The light-hearted incident was celebrated by Declan Rice in the post-match interview after Arsenal dominated in a 2-0 win against Sevilla in the Champions League.
Rice and Keown stood shoulder to shoulder as replays focused on Keown trying to control the match ball that had bounced in his direction when the referee blew the whistle.
Declan Rice playfully mocked Martin Keown after Arsenal’s Champions League victory on Wednesday
Shooting legend Keown was caught on camera trying in vain to control a wayward ball at the Emirates
Rice and Keown analyzed the poor moment of ball control in a post-match interview at the Emirates
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The Arsenal veteran lifts his right foot in an attempt to cushion the ball, but instead his touch sends the ball into the air and the second attempt to get it went no better.
Keown stretches but can only get his toes to the ball as his backpack falls down his arm and the nearby Arsenal supporters rise to joke with their former player.
Rice – like Keown’s fellow pundits – found the demonstration hilarious and joked, saying on TNT Sports: “He hasn’t lost it… oh no.”
Keown happily takes on board his colleagues’ criticism, playfully explaining that he blames his poor control on his smart shoes.
He explains, “I don’t like my touch. I look a bit ragged to be honest. There’s too much polish on my shoes.’
Keown gave a hilarious explanation for his touch, claiming there was “too much polish” on his shoes
Rio Ferdinand joined in as he watched and joked: “You needed the red Pumas, right?” Keown replied: ‘I did, I couldn’t play without them’.
The camera flashes back to Rice, who has a wry smile on his face after seeing the accident happen for the first time while analyzing Arsenal’s successful night in Europe’s premier cup competition.
The England international once again starred for Mikel Arteta’s side as Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka both scored to give Arsenal a four-point lead at the top of their Champions League group.
However, there was concern for Saka after he limped during the match, before it was later revealed that the injury was not considered serious.