Keown blasts Martin Tyler for ‘anti-Arsenal’ commentary as Neville adds to ‘biased’ Sky Sports

Martin Keown has blasted Martin Tyler’s “anti-Arsenal” commentary after Sky Sports’ coverage of the Gunners’ 3-0 defeat to Brighton on Sunday, with Gary Neville also complicit in the “biased” coverage.

Arsenal saw their hopes of the Premier League title dwindle to nothing as the Seagulls dominated them at the Emirates, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side four points behind Manchester City having played a game more.

But Keown’s issue isn’t with Arsenal’s rather laboured performance, but with the coverage of the game on Sky Sports, as he claimed Tyler – despite being a “great professional” – is “anti-Arsenal”.

Keown told talkSPORT: “The Sky commentary yesterday, how biased is the commentary team? It’s frightening.

“Martin Tyler is a great professional but he cannot hide that it hurts him that Arsenal might win a game of football.

“So, there we are, a poke in the eye to a commentator. I should be more respectful – Martin’s a great commentator. But please Sky don’t put him on the Arsenal games anymore – it’s a really hard listen.”

Host Jim White then asked Keown to confirm whether he thinks Tyler is “anti-Arsenal”.

“Yes I do,” replied Keown. “Let’s get it out there.”

Keown also wasn’t happy with what he – along with every other Arsenal fan – believes is Neville’s anti-Arsenal agenda, pointing out his reaction to Gabriel Martinelli’s challenge on Kaoru Mitoma to evidence it.

“Honestly, we know [Gary] Neville has a problem, he is almost apologising.

“‘Have I lost my mind? We should be sending Martinelli off’? Not at all, you go with your instinct.”

Martinelli shoved into Mitoma during an aerial duel that the Japanese playmaker was always favourite to win as he was closer to the ball.

While Mitoma only had eyes for the ball, Martinelli had little intention of competing for it and he collided into the Japan international.

Mitoma was left in a heap, with Brighton’s players surrounding the referee to urge him to take action.

Neville took issue with what he said was an “incredible” decision not to even book Martinelli.

“Oh that’s not great at all that,” said Neville.

“Is he not booking him? Wow. That’s incredible. I don’t think I would have complained if that was a red. Or have I lost my mind?”

READ MORE: Arsenal need to be bullish and act like a Big Club amid nonsense ‘bottle’ talk