The Prince of Wales was a happy man after watching Arsenal lose to Aston Villa.
His Royal Highness Prince William is a massive Villa fan, and his club produced a great performance to beat the Premier League leaders on Saturday.
Matty Cash scored the opener in the first half, but Leandro Trossard levelled the game after the break. It looked like it was going to end 1-1, but Emiliano Buendia scored with the last kick of the match to end Arsenal’s 18-game unbeaten run.
Martin Keown was tasked with awarding the Man of the Match award, and his pick – Martin Odegaard – did not go down well.
Who was Arsenal’s most disappointing player vs Aston Villa?
Unai Emery ends Arsenal's 18-game unbeaten run!
Martin Keown apologises to The Prince of Wales after Arsenal lose to Aston Villa
Arsenal were nowhere near the level required against Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Gunners were terrible in the first half and were lucky that they only conceded one goal before the break.
Mikel Arteta’s men were the better side in the first seven minutes of the second half – until Trossard scored – but their level dropped soon after and Villa took control.
Since the game seemed like it was headed for a draw, Keown decided to announce his Man of the Match on TNT Sports a few minutes before, and he named Odegaard.
Just moments later, Buendia scored the winner, and Prince William claimed on X that the Argentine deserved the Man of the Match award.
“Surely Emi Buendia for man of the match @footballontnt?! An incredible game! UTV! W,” he tweeted.
Keown then issued an apology live on air. He said: “I’m really sorry that I’ve upset royalty, but I actually gave it out – can you believe it? – in the 89th minute. I was a bit early.
“We can unofficially do it [give Buendia the MOTM award]. I don’t want to be court-martialled.”
Martin Keown thinks Martin Odegaard proved many people wrong
Odegaard was one of Arsenal’s better players against Aston Villa.
The Gunners’ captain has had a torrid season due to injuries, and in his absence, many questioned if he could ever come back and displace Eberechi Eze in the number 10 role.
Keown feels Odegaard proved those people wrong on Saturday, which is why he chose him as the Man of the Match in the 89th minute.
Eberechi Eze or Martin Odegaard? 😳
Should Eberechi Eze be Arsenal’s first choice ahead of Martin Odegaard? Comment to share your opinion!
He said on TNT: “He was out for ages but came in and controlled things in midfield today. He also had two or three really good efforts where he could’ve scored.
“A lot of people were saying he shouldn’t get back in the Arsenal team with Eze’s form, but he’s proved them wrong.”
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
