Roy Keane has cast doubts over Arsenal’s title-winning credentials, even if it was to bolster its attack with a new striker. After two finishes as runners-up behind Manchester City and Arsenal currently trailing Liverpool by 15 points this season, the Manchester United icon remains sceptical.
Speaking to Sky Sports after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United, former midfielder Keane said: “No. Why would I? What makes you think the manager can do it? They’ve got close over the last few years, but City will be strong next year and I’m sure Liverpool will be too.
“Where is the evidence to think they can do it? Getting a striker in would help, have they got the right mentality? Has the manager? You see a different side to them when they’re losing every week, but they get all agitated when they’re losing.
“I don’t think getting a striker in who’ll score 20 goals a season will necessarily be the difference. Will City and Liverpool just stand still? They’re going to look to improve, Pep will bounce back and I think Liverpool will be stronger next season.
“We don’t know where Chelsea is, but what’s the evidence or this group of players that they can do it? It’s alright challenging, but it should be about winning titles. Liverpool will be looking at that and not thinking they’re going to be put under pressure, they’ll be thinking Arsenal have almost given up the title chase.
“There’s that striking issue, of course, but I still thought there would be that mentality of getting the job done. If anything, it was the opposite. There would’ve been frustration from the last few years Arsenal didn’t get over the line, or get a cup or whatever it might be.
(Image: PA)
“Then you saw the injuries, and the manager looks frustrated there. The title’s gone but he’d still want his club to show a good mentality and try to put pressure on Liverpool. Over the last two or three games, that’s gone now.”
“Arsenal has lost that momentum, what we saw here today was nowhere near good enough. On the one hand, you want to give some credit for the last few years but the next step is the hardest step.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was visibly upset after their draw with United, abruptly ending his post-match interview with Sky reporter Patrick Davison when questioned about Arsenal falling 15 points behind Liverpool in the title race this season.
