Micah Richards speaks out as man, 42, arrested after Roy Keane 'headbutted' following Arsenal v Man Utd game

4 September 2023, 16:59

Micah Richards has spoken out as a 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting pundit Roy Keane following Arsenal's match against Manchester United.

Footage emerged showing Keane and Richards in a heated row with a fan inside the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. It is understood the confrontation happened as they waited for a lift at the Emirates' members only bar.

Police launched a probe into the incident after footage emerged online showing the clash.

It came after the Arsenal v Manchester United game, which saw Arsenal win 3-1.

The viral clip appeared to show Richards trying to "defuse a situation" and restrain a man Keane was allegedly assaulted by.

Now, Richards has told The Rest is Football podcast, which he hosts with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer: "Gary, I'm not allowed to talk about it. But when I'm allowed to talk about it, the Rest is Football will get it first."

His co-presenters sang the theme to Rocky as the episode began. Shearer joked: "I think the common opinion is 'don't f*** with big Mics'."

Lineker added: "We'll get the full story at some point. It is something we shouldn't trivialise, either, really, because obviously that is a serious thing if fans start attacking people."

Read more: Schools remain in dark over concrete crisis as fears grow that ‘thousands’ more could be at risk of collapse

Read more: Man arrested after cyclist and pedestrian hit by car in separate crashes die from injuries

A previous statement sent from Sky said: "We understand the police are investigating an alleged assault by a member of the public immediately preceding the footage circulating on social media. 

"In the footage seen, Micah Richards was acting to defuse a situation."

Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus fired Arsenal to a 3-1 stoppage-time victory against Manchester United during the match.

Marcus Rashford put Erik ten Hag's United ahead in the first half at the Emirates Stadium, only for Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard to level 110 seconds later.

The match looked set to end in an absorbing draw after a penalty for a foul on Kai Havertz was overturned following a pitchside review, before the VAR ruled out substitute Alejandro Garnacho's late winner for narrowly straying offside.

United's celebrations were cut short and there was still time for more drama in a jaw-dropping ending.

A deep corner found Rice to slam home his first Arsenal goal off the heel of Jonny Evans in the sixth minute of stoppage time, before substitute Jesus coolly added gloss for Mikel Arteta's men.