Roy Keane and Micah Richards in heated Arsenal exchange over William Saliba and Gabriel debate

Roy Keane and Micah Richards didn't exactly see eye-to-eye following Arsenal's clash against Manchester City at the weekend. After John Stones netted an equaliser for the reigning Premier League champions in stoppage time, attention quickly turned to Arsenal's centre-backs.

Despite being down to 10-men from the second half onwards due to Leandro Trossard's dismissal right before half time, the Gunners managed to hold their ground for much of the game. Gabriel Magalhaes looked as though he'd waltz away victorious, with his header from Bukayo Saka's corner helping Arsenal turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead.

He and William Saliba were also part of a deep-sitting backline, with Mikel Arteta adding an extra defender in an effort to protect his side's narrow advantage. While Keane suggested that conceding twice negated the Arsenal duo's earlier performances, Richards was quick to sing the praises of the pair.

The former Manchester City defender extolled both Gabriel and Saliba's virtues in his analysis on Sky Sports. As quoted by the Mirror, he said: "Man City will be disappointed in the way they sort of played in that second half.

"I thought Gabriel and Saliba were unbelievable. To defend like that for 45 minutes in the second half against the best team in the league, it was just remarkable. Going and getting tight, dropping off spaces, organising, Gabriel scoring a goal.

"When Gabriel came to Arsenal [he was] making a few mistakes on the ball, but he's sort of changed his game to be reliable every single week. Whether it's set pieces defending, set pieces attacking, his overall play, I just thought he was remarkable."

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Keane's response was a simple one. The former Manchester United midfielder replied: "They conceded two goals. They can't have defended that well."

However, this didn't go down too well with Richards, who added: "Yeah, [they conceded those goals] against one of the best teams we've ever seen in Premier League history."

Keane refused to make too much of the result, though. He said: "It's like we're making out they've done something extraordinary. Listen, Arsenal did well, but City were really poor. No movement, no overlaps, no underlaps, so it was more poor play from Man City than Arsenal's brilliant defending."

Richards saw it differently, though. He argued: "We talk about Haaland, the best striker in world football. Arsenal were brave in that first half in the way they stepped up. Haaland got his opportunity.

"The goals that we've seen him score at Dortmund with that space in behind - that can happen. And then, second half, they went into a low block and defended for their lives."

Keane replied: "That's the easiest part of football." Then, wrapping up the exchange, Richards said: "I'd agree with you if it wasn't Manchester City . Man City can dissect anyone at any time, you have to stay concentrating for the full 90 minutes and I just thought [Gabriel and Saliba] did that ever so well today."