Roy Keane was quick to defend Mikel Arteta's "passionate" touchline antics - shortly after Gary Neville had branded the Arsenal manager a "madman".
Arteta's conduct on the sidelines has divided opinion, with some feeling his has been vocal in his criticism. He let rip at fourth official Stuart Atwell towards the end of the 0-0 draw with Newcastle earlier this month and was again voicing his displeasure constant berating of officials oversteps the mark.
The Spaniard stormed down the line to remonstrate with officials after a tackle by United's Luke Shaw, which resulted in referee Anthony Taylor showing the Gunners' boss a yellow card. "I think he’s right there, Anthony Taylor," Neville said on co-commentary for Sky Sports. "He’s been singled out over the last few weeks, Mikel Arteta, but I have to say it was just a basic foul, there was nothing in it.
"Shaw’s just trying to get in front of him, Saka does well, but he charges back up the touchline like a madman, Mikel Arteta, just watch him. There’s nothing in it, it’s a foul, move on with the game. He makes it look like he’s two-footed him."
Bein Sports presenter Richard Keys towards the end of the 0-0 draw with Newcastle of Arteta's behaviour and praised the officials on Twitter for making "progress" by booking him. Neville also felt it was the right decision, stating: "I was here a couple of weeks ago for the Newcastle game and he was at it all game, Mikel Arteta, which is fair enough, but on occasions where it wasn’t called for. He charged about 15 yards down the touchline and that was what he was shown a yellow card for."
However, Keane insists he has "no problem" with the way Arteta has been conducting himself and feels some of the criticism has been "too harsh". "Well I certainly wouldn’t worry about yellow cards, it’s the reds that you’ve got to worry about!," Keane said.
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"But from the Arsenal point of view I think they’d be OK with it, because he’s obviously passionate and you’re not in this job to be liked! He’s there to win football matches for Arsenal and that’s what he’s doing."
"Listen, he’s got the yellow card, he has to take his medicine," he continued. "But I generally have no problem with it.
"We see other managers doing stuff that we might not always agree with but they’re emotional, they’re passionate and I think that’s just because he wants to win. I wouldn’t be too harsh on him."
Ex-Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas was alongside Keane on punditry duties and also backed Arteta. "I always liked when I felt the manager had this type of passion and it brings other players to give that little bit extra," he said.
Keane replied: "I’m the same. And Pep Guardiola the other night was criticised for his interview after the game, but I’ve always liked managers that are emotional and passionate. I have no problem with it."
Arteta was asked about his booking following the game and offered a measured response, telling Sky Sports' Geoff Shreeves: "Can’t complain. You can always get better in life."
