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 track suit 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.
Reading's Shane Long did so too truculently at Anfield on Saturday, ripping off and throwing down his club shirt and he was deservedly reprimanded by manager Steve Coppell.
Keane's action was different. And here's why.
First he did not disrespect the club shirt or his manager in the manner of Long.
Second, his reaction was one of incredulity and frustration after having scored his side's goal, rather than spite, and was remarkable mainly because it came in a match which ostensibly was meaningless to Tottenham.
The club have already secured their place in Europe next season by winning the Carling Cup. They lie in mid-table security in the Premier League, with no relegation worries and no hope either of a top-six finish.
And yet, rather than go through the motions, for Keane clearly it mattered as much as every match does for Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, who demonstrates week in and week out that even sublime skill must be accompanied by buckets of sweat and vast dollops of passion.
Others such as Chelsea's John Terry and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard are also standard bearers for Premier League industry, players whose philosophy should be pinned to the dressing room walls at places such as Newcastle.
And, if truth be told, perhaps at Arsenal too.
There has been much hand-wringing over Arsenal's faltering league form recently, at a time when they have been so imperious in Europe. How can they beat AC Milan so ruthlessly in the San Siro and then stutter to a goalless draw at Wigan and need a desperate late equaliser to earn a point at home against Middlesbrough?
"It is in the head" is Arsenal captain William Gallas' explanation, adding: "Sometimes after a huge game in the Champions League it's difficult to find the same level of motivation for the following game."
In other words it is down to professional desire and pride. Down to mental toughness.
Arsenal score highly in most areas, eye-pleasing football being the most obvious, but if there is one area they fall down when compared with United and Chelsea in the Premier League it is mental fortitude.
As evidence you only have to recall Gallas' extraordinary sit-in recently against Birmingham, tears in his eyes.
Arsenal have no problem with passion and motivation for the big games. It is the bread-and-butter action against those clubs whose only weapon is superior desire where the cracks appear.
That must be a worry for manager Arsene Wenger as the title denouement approaches and he needs every player to demonstrate in every match how much they care.
Truly and deeply, if not always as madly as Robbie Keane.
