Paul Scholes didn't hold back when listening to Martin Keown's commentary during Arsenal's recent match against Aston Villa. He felt Keown’s analysis leaned heavily in favor of the Gunners, creating an experience akin to watching club-run television.
The observation isn’t new; former players often display a natural inclination towards their previous teams when commentating. Figures like Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher frequently offer insights into Manchester United and Liverpool, respectively.
Keown’s commentary came during a particularly dramatic game at Villa Park, where Aston Villa snatched a late 2-1 victory, injecting fresh energy into the Premier League title race. Scholes’ critique surfaced during the broadcast on TNT Sports.
Scholes likened Keown’s biased approach to that of Paddy Crerand, a Manchester United legend who commentated on the club’s own MUTV channel. He shared his thoughts on Instagram, highlighting the striking similarity.
Crerand, a stalwart of the Manchester United team of the 1960s and 70s, amassed over 300 appearances for the club. He secured two First Division titles, a European Cup, and an FA Cup during his time as a Red Devil, naturally fostering a deep loyalty.
Keown’s commentary didn’t just attract the attention of Scholes, but also a very prominent Aston Villa supporter: Prince William. The Prince publicly questioned Keown’s Man of the Match selection.
Martin Odegaard initially received the award from Keown, but after Emiliano Buendia scored the winning goal, Prince William playfully challenged the decision on social media, advocating for Buendia to be recognized.
When confronted about potentially upsetting royalty, Keown responded with humor, acknowledging he might have been premature with his selection. He jokingly feared a “court-martial” and offered to unofficially award the honor to Buendia.
