Piers Morgan took issue with Stephen Warnock's response to his comments about Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, firing back at the former Liverpool and England defender.
Morgan has changed his tune on Arteta, who he criticised on many an occasion last season. The broadcaster declared his trust in the manager's process on Sunday after a hard-fought victory over Liverpool returned Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table.
Much of the 57-year-old's criticism of Arteta in recent months has centered on the treatment of former club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has scored goals for Barcelona and Chelsea since leaving north London. However, with Arsenal top of the table and the second-highest scorers in the Premier League, Morgan's latest argument has a different origin point.
"I bet he’s delighted he has the blessing of a top footballing man like yourself!" Warnock said sarcastically in response to Morgan's praise. "He will sleep well now I’m sure."
Morgan took issue with the comment, telling the ex-footballer that he was simply speaking as a fan. He also took a dig at Warnock for the number of clubs he played for during a career which saw him travel to the 2010 World Cup and play in the top three tiers of English football.
"I’m just a fan, Mr Warnock, who’s followed Arsenal for 52 years, has 4 season tickets, & lives, breathes & occasionally fumes over my club," Morgan said. "That may not make me a ‘top footballing man’ but it does entitle me to my opinions & I’ve always been loyal to one club. You had ten, right?"
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Despite Arteta leading Arsenal to an eighth victory in nine league games, the former Manchester City coach admitted it would be tough to overhaul his old employers as champions. They are really strong, they have done that for five years and we have not done that," he said.
While Saka was the match-winner for the London side, scoring Arsenal's second and third games, Gabriel Martinelli also impressed for the hosts. The Brazilian has grown into his role on the left, helping the Gunners cope with the absence of Emile Smith Rowe, and Arteta singled him out for praise on Sunday.
"When you see where he was when he started a year ago against Brentford, to how he is today," Arteta said. "The development is just phenomenal, the hunger, the desire and how much he loves to play, train and get better every single day.
"He’s a nightmare to play against the same as Bukayo or Gabi [Jesus] up front. We have a real threat up front, we know that, and people and players are respecting us on that."
