Gary Lineker responds to Roy Keane after Erling Haaland 'League Two player' jibe

Gary Lineker has to come to Erling Haaland's defence following Roy Keane's scathing 'League Two player' putdown of the striker - though admitted his fellow pundit did make him chuckle.

Last season's golden boot winner was kept uncharacteristically quiet by the Gunners, who limited City to only one shot on target throughout the 0-0 stalemate. Haaland himself could only snatch at the half-chances he was afforded.

It prompted a brutal response from ex-Manchester United midfielder Keane, who attacked Haaland's determination without the ball to aid his team-mates.

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"In front of goal, he’s the best in the world but for his general play for such a player, it is so poor. Not just today," he told Sky Sports. "He has to improve that. He’s almost like a League Two player - that’s the way I look at him. His general play has to improve."

Such a comparison for a player that scored 52 goals over the course of his maiden campaign in England has generated plenty of response, starting with The Rest is Football podcast.

"I know Roy’s being Roy, but it was a tad much," Lineker began. "It made me laugh. I imagine he wasn’t taken completely seriously?"

Former City defender Micah Richards, who was also sat alongside Keane yesterday afternoon, responded: "He [Haaland] seemed a little frustrated. Arsenal were going man-to-man, Ortega had a good game playing up to Haaland, but he didn’t get hold of the ball for someone his size. I wouldn’t go as bad as League Two player but..."

At this stage Lineker cut back in to come to Haaland's defence with some expert