- Martin Keown told Arsenal players to retire the experienced defender
- Rio Ferdinand defended the experienced Porto star by labeling Keown a ‘bully’
- England squad coming…who’s the wildcard pick? It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Rio Ferdinand jokingly reprimanded Martin Keown for being ‘out of commission’ after the Arsenal legend told his old team the 41-year-old wanted to ‘retire’.
The veteran defender continued his remarkable career by starting Porto’s Champions League match against Arsenal on Tuesday night as the visitor caused a stir in London.
Pepe is the fifth oldest player to ever play in the Champions League, but is also the oldest outfield player to ever feature, and has played an integral role in Porto’s domestic and European campaigns this season.
However, Keown believes Arsenal’s youthful team must exploit the legendary centre-back and demanded Mikel Arteta’s side target the defender in the Emirates.
Keown told TNT Sports: “Pepe, 41 years old, you have to get in and around him. You have to test it. You have to make him want to retire after this match. He’s had a great career.
Rio Ferdinand jokingly reprimanded Martin Keown for being ‘off duty’ before Arsenal’s match against Porto
Keown claimed Arsenal should ‘retire’ Pepe, 41, after Tuesday’s match
“But look, someone really needs to dig into him and embarrass him because it’s a big boy’s game. You are 41 years old.
‘Can you still survive? It seems he can do it. But I think we should question him.’
Former Man United star Ferdinand responded to his fellow pundits’ comments, saying: ‘You’re out of order, he’s 41.
“Give him a break, out of order, you’re a bully, a bully.”
Pepe started Porto’s round of 16 Champions League match against Arsenal at the Emirates
The 41-year-old is the fifth oldest player to ever play in the Champions League
A brash Keown dismissed Ferdinand’s complaints and hit back: “I don’t care how old he is if you have to come after him.”
Pepe previously shared a touching moment with the pair in Portugal after Porto’s 1-0 first leg win against Arsenal.
The former Real Madrid star celebrated his 41st birthday in February but will struggle to become the oldest player to ever compete in Europe’s top club competition.
Italian goalkeeper Marco Ballotta currently holds that record after playing for Lazio against Real Madrid in 2007, aged 43 years and 252 days.
