Richard Keys blames Mikel Arteta for defining moment which could 'come back to haunt' Arsenal

Richard Keys has taken aim at Mikel Arteta, recalling the defining moment which he believes will come back to haunt Arsenal.

The Gunners are currently locked in battle with Manchester City as they chase their first Premier League title in almost 20 years.

However, three consecutive draws against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton has seen Arsenal lose valuable ground, leaving the door ajar for Pep Guardiola's side.

All eyes will be on the Etihad in three days time when the pair face off in what will undoubtedly decide who lifts the trophy.

But Keys reckons Arsenal have already blown it, and has placed his finger on exactly where it all went wrong.

What did he say?

Keys, who has regularly criticised Arteta for his expressive outbursts on the touchline during games, believes the Spaniard's emotion could have cost his side the title.

Speaking to beIN SPORTS, Keys said: "It looks as though it's going to be done [Manchester City winning the league].

"Do they [Arsenal] not know how to take a throwing? Do they not know how to take a free kick? Do they not know how to pass a ball from A to B? Of course they do, that does not need him [Arteta] to be on the touchline waving his arms around."

The pundit went on to single out Arsenal's celebrations against Fulham at the start of the season as a reason for their drop in form, comparing Arteta to Steven Gerrard and Kevin Keegan who have both narrowly missed out on Premier League titles in the past.

"If they don't win the title at least they can look back on a heady day at the start of the season when they beat Fulham and celebrated like they'd won the title. And I said then, this will come back to haunt you," he added.

"Keegan's Newcastle, Gerrard's Liverpool, Arteta's Arsenal, all three bids were consumed by too much emotion."

Topics: Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Manchester City, Football, Premier League

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno