Gunners should take Keane as role model

CALL IT petulant. Call it a tantrum if you like. But the sight of Robbie Keane throwing a hissy fit after being substituted by Tottenham manager Juande Ramos against Manchester City did more to restore faith in the Premier League footballer than any amount of publicity initiatives.

The disbelief on his face, the frustration in his stride, the anger as he tore off his captain’s armband and threw down his tracksuit top as he took his seat in the Eastlands stand all conveyed one thing. Here was a player who cared – truly, deeply. And, yes, perhaps a little madly too. But in a world in which barely a day goes by without headlines of football players picking up fortunes for questionable amounts of effort, how reassuring was that?

Of course, lots of players demonstrate their displeasure on seeing their number flash up on the substitutes’ board, especially at crucial points in the most vital matches.