Arsenal legend Martin Keown could have added another Premier League title to his collection, had it not been for rivals Tottenham.
The former center defender for the Gunners, Keown has never disguised his affection for the red half of north London, and he is still more than willing to fight for his old team.
Under Arsene Wenger’s direction, the 57-year-old won three Premier League titles, but if Spurs hadn’t been chosen by the fixture computer to play Manchester United on the last day of the 1998–1999 season, it might have been four.
In an attempt to reclaim the title, Sir Alex Ferguson’s team entered the decisive match one point ahead of the defending champions Arsenal and with a slightly higher goal differential.
The Gunners wanted to improve on United’s performance against Villa at Highbury, but unfortunately for Keown, his team was counting on 11th-place Spurs to pull off the biggest upset of all time and assist their fierce rivals in winning back-to-back titles.
Although Arsenal managed to win 1-0 on the day, Keown’s title hopes were dashed by United’s thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Tottenham.
Keown remembered, “I remember in 1999 Spurs went to Old Trafford and we lost the league by a point.” “We noticed that Spurs had taken the lead, and perhaps they concluded that we would assist Arsenal in winning the league after seeing that.
“They played a terrible second half. You have to admit that Andy Cole’s goal was excellent, but they still lost the match. But it was absurd how much time and room he was given. John Scales ought to feel embarrassed.
Simon Jordan, the co-host, and other irate Spurs callers questioned Keown’s opinion.
“So it’s a conspiracy theory?” Ex-owner Jordan of Crystal Palace enquired.
Jim White, the host, remarked, “This is almost scandalous.” You’re saying that Tottenham should have done better at Old Trafford in order to prevent Arsenal from winning the league back then?”
“We’ve got that situation coming up now, haven’t we?” Keown retorted. In the final week of the season, we’ll depend on them.”
Keown, a 2004 Gunners player who was part of the “Invincibles” squad, feels Tottenham has always prioritized stopping Arsenal’s success over their own goals.
Ahead of Sunday’s exciting north London derby, which may see Spurs severely damage Arsenal’s title hopes, the talkSPORT co-host was speaking.
However, Keown has urged Spurs and the team’s supporters to concentrate solely on their goal of placing in the top four and earning a spot in the redesigned Champions League for the upcoming season.
“They were always trying to stop us whenever we had to play the Spurs,” Keown remarked. “Being up against your local rivals is really tough because this Spurs team can destroy anyone at home.”
Their constant goal was to prevent Arsenal from winning. What if you had your own objectives and ideas? Establish personal goals.
“It still is,” Keown said, referring to their motivation. Consider how long these supporters have gone without receiving a trophy. It’s been almost forty years. Every time Arsenal wins a game, it kills them. I know Spurs supporters who think it’s absurd that Arsenal keeps winning.
“I kept running across Spurs supporters during their 11-game winning streak at the beginning of the season, and I advised them to forget about us because they were doing so well. What drives you, Spurs supporters?
