Arsenal slipped to a late 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday but former Red Devils star Roy Keane suggested he could see the defeat coming
Roy Keane claimed he could ‘smell’ Arsenal’s shock defeat to Manchester United before kick-off. The Premier League leaders slipped to a 3-2 loss at the Emirates on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s side had initially taken the lead in North London after Lisandro Martinez put through his own net. Bryan Mbeumo then equalised, with Patrick Dorgu completing the turnaround.
Mikel Merino seemingly rescued a point for the Gunners late on, only for Matheus Cunha to steal victory for Michael Carrick’s men with just three minutes remaining. The loss represented just Arsenal’s third of the campaign and first at home all season but United icon Keane suggested he could see it coming.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “United was a dangerous game for them today. I smelt it before the game.”
Asked where Mikel Arteta’s side went wrong, Keane added: “Pressure was on Arsenal today. They saw the other results; they have everything going for them in all competitions. That is pressure; they are feeling the pressure.
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“It is how they deal with it. That’s what has cost them over the last few years when they have got themselves in good positions.
“The sign over the last few weeks. The Liverpool game, the Forest game and today. Losing that momentum.
“I can’t believe they don’t look like a confident team. Play the game, they are obviously playing the occasion. They have to get back to basics and embrace this challenge instead of being frightened of it.”
What went wrong for Arsenal vs Man United? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Keane was not the only one to send Arsenal a message over their mentality. Former Gunners star Patrick Vieira also questioned whether they would have the mental fortitude to hold on and secure the Premier League title.
He said: “They’re still four points clear. But there’s still questions about the mental strength of the the team. It’s not just that they lost the game, it’s the way they lost the game. Saka and Trossard didn’t produce enough to worry United.
“They need a leader to lift the spirit of the team. They need to understand when they are on the pitch they have to play with more energy and more risks. They have the quality. They didn’t play with the freedom to express themselves.”
Arsenal take a break from their Premier League commitments as they take on Kairat in the Champions League in midweek ahead of a trip to Leeds.
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