Martin Keown, a legendary Arsenal defender, departed the club in 1986 due to a pay dispute. However, he later returned and became one of the club’s finest defenders in 1993.
Martin Keown has disclosed that Arsenal’s refusal to grant him a £50 salary increase resulted in his departure in a state of rage.
Nowadays, Keown is considered one of the most exceptional center backs in Arsenal’s extensive and prosperous history. He was initially signed by the north Londoners on a juvenile contract in 1980 and remained with the club for more than a decade, spanning two separate periods.
He was the recipient of three Premier League trophies, including the ‘Invincibles’ season in 2003/04, three FA Cups, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. But despite his current status as a Gunners legend, Keown departed the club in 1986 under acrimonious circumstances, only to return in 1993.
During the 1985/86 season, the 19-year-old pacey defender received his significant break while playing alongside another youthful prodigy, Tony Adams. After his initial contract expired, he anticipated a substantial pay increase as a result of his impressive performances in the first team. However, he was taken aback when Arsenal only offered him £300, rather than the £350 he had requested.
On the Rest Is Football podcast, the 58-year-old disclosed that he believed he was being treated unjustly and disrespectfully, which led him to resign from his childhood club. He elaborated, “Don Howe was the manager, and he recommended that I not sign the previous contract.”
“I was essentially offered £250 for the first year and £300 for the second.” Don stated, “Martin, this £300 will not be £300; it will be significantly more if you are selected for the first team.” So, please enroll for the year. Therefore, I did [at first only secure a one-year contract].
“I played 21 games in the first team and was offered £300 per week for the following season. However, I was reminded that Don had since left the club, and no one seemed to recognize me in the building.”
“We faced Everton, which was managed by Gary [Lineker], at the conclusion of that season. I was informed that I was one of the two most talented young central defenders in the country, along with Tony Adams.” At the negotiating table a few months later, I referred to that.
“I stated, ‘I am not seeking a fortune; I am merely requesting an additional £100 per week, not £50.'” and they replied, “It is impossible.” Consequently, the entire situation became a matter of principle. George Graham, my new manager, was striking his watch on the day I met him, which was quite surreal.
Keown’s meeting with the Scot was brief, and they did not discuss his contract. Consequently, the defender stated, “I am departing; I am uncertain of my destination, but I am not remaining here, as you are not treating me with the respect I deserve.”
“I jumped off the mountain at that point because it was so challenging to be accepted into the first team, as I had climbed a mountain to get there.” He immediately regretted his decision to join Aston Villa, a team that was in the midst of a relegation battle.
Keown recollected, “I went on vacation, woke up, and thought, ‘What have I done?'” I have always aspired to be a member of the Arsenal team. He was instructed by his father to adhere to his word, despite his desire to abandon his plan.
The ferocious defender acknowledged that on his initial day at the Villa training ground, he gazed around the structure and pondered, “What am I here for?” He also stated that he “never gave Villa a chance.” Before the defender assisted Villa in their return to the top tier the following season, Keown criticized the team’s lack of professionalism and quality, which resulted in their relegation.
Everton acquired Keown in 1989, and he participated in 126 matches over the course of three and a half seasons. The Toffees accepted a £2 million offer in February 1993, which resulted in his return to Arsenal.
He subsequently played a significant position in one of the most renowned defenses in the annals of English football, alongside Adams, Steve Bould, Lee Dixon, and Nigel Winterburn. He appeared in 422 matches across all competitions under Graham and later Arsene Wenger until his departure in 2004.
