Martin Keown claims Arsenal had ‘enormous’ role in Antonio Conte’s Spurs axe

ARSENAL legend Martin Keown claims that Arsenal had an “enormous” role in Antonio Conte’s Tottenham sacking.

The Italian was finally axed after Spurs were dumped out of both the FA Cup and Champions League this month.

2

2

The final straw came following a 3-3 draw at the Premier League’s bottom club Southampton when Conte unleashed a fierce rant at both his players and squad.

Conte guided Tottenham to Champions League qualification last season at Arsenal’s expense after taking charge before Christmas.

But the end of his 16-month reign could have had something to do with the rise of their bitter North London rivals, who are currently eight points clear at the top of the table.

At least that is according to Keown, who told talkSPORT: “I think they should have kept him until the end of the season, no doubt.”

When asked if his statement was due to his affiliation with Arsenal, Keown replied: “No – but now that you mention it – I think Arsenal have played a part.

“The fact that Arsenal are 20 points clear of Spurs and this time last year they were both in the run-in for the top-four places puts Spurs under enormous pressure.

“But it’s what happened in March. Going out of the FA Cup, what happened against AC Milan, the 3-3 game against Southampton… March was miserable for them.

“[Conte] knew he was going. He wanted to say, and needed to say, what was wrong at that football club and they need to take stock of that.”

BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK

Tottenham are currently fourth in the top-flight with acting head coach Cristian Stellini assigned the task of sealing qualification for the Champions League.

Meanwhile, potential new Spurs boss Luis Enrique, who is without a job since leaving the Spanish national team following the World Cup, has put them on red alert after declaring his desire to manage in England.

He said: “I would like to try an experience in the Premier League. But I’d only accept an interesting project.

“I’d only join a club where I can do big, important things. I’ve received proposals from national teams — I keep all options open.”