Arsenal may have kicked off their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a crucial win at Old Trafford, but the performance left much to be desired—especially in the eyes of former Manchester United captain Roy Keane. Despite securing a 1-0 victory over the Red Devils, Keane didn’t hold back in his post-match assessment, singling out several Arsenal players for a lackluster display that, he believes, exposed familiar weaknesses.
Gunners Grab the Win—but Not the Momentum
Arsenal joined title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool with three points on opening weekend, courtesy of a narrow 1-0 victory away to Manchester United. The decisive moment came early, with Riccardo Calafiori heading home from a Declan Rice corner after United’s backup goalkeeper Altay Bayındır failed to command his area.
Despite the scoreline favoring Mikel Arteta’s side, the performance painted a different picture. Manchester United were the more dominant team for much of the match, creating better chances and controlling the tempo, though they lacked the cutting edge to find an equalizer.
Roy Keane Blasts Key Arsenal Trio
Speaking on Sky Sports, Roy Keane offered a harsh evaluation of Arsenal’s display, describing it as “below par” and criticizing the lack of impact from several key figures.
“This was an Arsenal team where four or five of their players didn’t turn up,” Keane said. “Neville praised Odegaard, but I thought Odegaard was shocking. Saka didn’t do too much, and the players off the bench offered very little.”
Keane acknowledged the importance of grinding out results, especially when not playing at full strength, but stressed that Arsenal’s lack of attacking intent could be a concern in the long run.
A Familiar Pattern and a Stark Warning
Keane’s concerns extended beyond individual performances. He suggested that Arsenal’s reluctance to push for a second goal after taking the lead mirrored the conservative approach that cost them points last season.
“In the second half, they had chances to really go at United, but they seemed hesitant,” Keane added. “Liverpool and City keep pushing—Arsenal seem content to hold the lead.”
He warned that such a mindset could once again derail their title hopes, as it did in 2024/25 when the Gunners drew too many winnable matches.
Arsenal Take the Points, But Questions Remain
While Arsenal fans will be pleased with three points at a tough venue, the performance leaves room for improvement. Mikel Arteta’s side displayed resilience in defense, but their lack of rhythm in attack and reliance on narrow margins could become problematic as the season progresses.
Keane’s blunt analysis serves as a reminder that in the high-stakes battle for the Premier League crown, simply winning isn’t always enough—it’s how you win that often determines long-term success.
