Arsenal Invincible Martin Keown opens up on secret beef with commentator over iconic Premier League moment

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has lifted the lid on a secret row with Andy Gray, who shot to fame during the famous ‘Battle of Old Trafford’ against Manchester United.

The pair were teammates at Aston Villa when Keown signed for Midlands club Arsenal in 1986.

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Keown was only 19 at the time, but his relationship with Gray, then 31, quickly deteriorated.

Ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Arsenal on Sunday, Keown recalled his famous feud with Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2003.

Keown appeared to upset the United striker after his late penalty miss in a goalless draw between the sides during the Gunners’ Invincible season.

The conflict has since become one of the Premier League’s iconic moments, with White and Jordan airing a clip of the scenes from Friday’s show.

A sound clip of Gray’s Sky Sports commentary on the game was broadcast to Keown, prompting the former Gunner to open up about the pair’s relationship.

Watching the clash between Keown and Van Nistelrooy, Gray said at the time: “Martin Keown was in front straight after missing the penalty… he’s sharp at the best of times, Martin.”

Responding to Gray’s comment, Keown explained: “There was a story there, by the way, with Andy Gray. We didn’t get along as players at Aston Villa.

“He was a player who had a lot to say. I was a hot-headed young individual and if he was giving advice, he shouldn’t have done it at any time.

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“He should have taken me aside. He never did that.

Keown continued: “Whenever he made a comment, my father used to say, ‘Don’t listen to him because this guy has something against you.’

“So when Andy put his foot in it, and I gave him every opportunity to reprimand me in one way or another, but he liked putting his foot in it.”

When asked by Jim if he thought the commentators were against him at that time, Keown replied: “I’m just telling you my opinion of Andy Gray and his scorned version of me every time he commented on me.

“He would reluctantly give me credit if I did something (good). But I didn’t listen to it, I didn’t even have Sky!

“I said to myself, ‘I don’t need to listen to him. I’ll listen to Match of the Day instead.”