Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes are over and they should be more worried about securing Champions League qualification than catching Liverpool, according to Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane.
Declan Rice cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick as the Gunners came from behind to draw 1-1 with Manchester United on Sunday but the result leaves them 15 points behind the leaders.
They sit six points ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea, with Man City eight points behind in fifth. Traditionally a top-four finish secures Champions League qualification, though that could stretch to five places this term, depending on English clubs’ performances in Europe.
Arsenal dominated possession for long spells at Old Trafford but struggled to create chances before Rice’s clinical first-time finish in the 74th minute. They were then indebted to the goalkeeping heroics of David Raya for keeping them level in the closing stages.
Arsenal scored seven in their Champions League demolition of PSV Eindhoven in midweek but have only found the net once in their last three Premier League games amid injuries to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Gabriel Martinelli returned from his hamstring problem as a substitute at Old Trafford but Keane was left unimpressed by Arsenal’s mentality as they failed to take advantage of United’s struggles and get the victory.
“If you don’t have cutting edge and you’re not scoring any goals, forget about closing any gap on Liverpool,” Keane said on Sky Sports. “You should be more worried about teams coming up behind you.”
Paul Merson, sitting alongside Keane, said: “Fifth in the league are nearer to Arsenal than what Arsenal are to first. I would be saying now, ‘we’ve got to concentrate on making sure we finish in the top four’.”
“It’s starting to get a little bit tight there and Manchester City have got some nice fixtures at the moment. It wouldn’t surprise me if Man City, who I think are fifth at the moment, can catch Arsenal.”
Keane added: “Arsenal scored seven in the week but they didn’t have any swagger about them today. At the end, you’re probably thinking United are going to win it, and they’ve been dreadful.”
“I’d be looking at their mentality and thinking, ‘where was it?’ You must smell United are there for the taking, but Arsenal weren’t streetwise.”
Overall, Keane is questioning Arsenal’s mentality and ability to challenge for the Premier League title under Arteta, especially with strong competition from teams like Manchester City and Liverpool. He believes that simply bringing in a top striker may not be enough to make a significant difference in their title pursuit. Arsenal will need to show a stronger mentality and consistency if they want to compete at the highest level.