Martin Keown and Simon Jordan clash over Arsenal vs Brighton controversy
Martin Keown and Simon Jordan shared a heated exchange over the penalty given against Arsenal in their match versus Brighton.
Arsenal took an early lead thanks to Ethan Nwaneri, before Brighton equalised through a controversial Joao Pedro penalty in a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium (4 January) which could yet see the club sanctioned by the FA.
The penalty was given after William Saliba attempted to header the ball out of danger, and instead made contact with the Brazilian striker’s head.
The decision was brought up by host Jim White and sparked a fiery debate between Jordan and Keown on talkSPORT (11.07am) and led to a fiery debate. White asked: “Martin, a coming together, should that be viewed differently when it’s with the head as opposed to the feet?”
The two pundits then went back and forth at each other: “Keown: I think it should, it always has been up until now.”
Jordan: “What do the rules say?”
Keown: “You tell me the rules then.”
Jordan: “I don’t know I’m not a player so I don’t know the rules but if I was a player I would have studied them but if the rules suggest it was a penalty and all this faux outrage…”.
Keown interjected with: “Well the referee must have felt it was a reckless challenge but I don’t know…can you be reckless with your head?”
Jordan: “Of course you can be, you can headbutt people, Zidane got sent off in a World Cup Final for a headbutt!”
Arsenal fail to make the most of Liverpool dropping points
Football Insider opinion
Fans of the North London side will be fuming after the Brighton game, not only at the referee’s decision to award an unusual penalty, but also after seeing title-rivals Liverpool drop points against Manchester United.
The Gunners started the season slowly, but have been in fine form since a 1-0 loss to Newcastle in November, and have now climbed to second in the Premier League table and are 10 games unbeaten in the league.
However, in that unbeaten run there have been draws against Fulham, Everton and now Brighton, teams that Arsenal need to be beating if they want to keep pace with the juggernaut that is Liverpool this season.
Many see Manchester City’s poor form as an opportunity for Arsenal to capitalise and win their first league title since 2004.
However the Gunners may need some added fire power in the January transfer window and have been linked with a move for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, sources have told Football Insider.
In other news, the Gunners have been linked with a shock move for one of Bayern Munich’s star players.
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