Manchester United legend Roy Keane has delivered a scathing assessment of Mikel Arteta’s tactical approach following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City. Keane believes that Arteta’s overly cautious mindset could derail Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions, comparing the Spaniard unfavorably to bold, risk-taking managers like Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough.
Keane Questions Arteta’s Mentality in Big Games
Arsenal’s latest draw against defending champions Manchester City at the Emirates has sparked renewed debate about the club’s strategy under Arteta. Despite salvaging a point through Gabriel Martinelli’s dramatic stoppage-time equalizer, critics—including Keane—have taken issue with the team’s initial setup and passive approach.
Keane suggested that Arteta’s tactical decisions, particularly in top-of-the-table clashes, reflect a reluctance to take necessary risks. “The mindset seems to be: don’t lose, rather than go out and win,” Keane said during his analysis on Sky Sports. “And that’s just not enough if you’re trying to compete with teams like City and Liverpool.”
Selection Decisions Under Scrutiny
Arteta’s team selection raised eyebrows before kickoff, echoing past decisions that have come under fire. Just as he did against Liverpool earlier in the season, the Arsenal boss opted to start Mikel Merino over more attacking options. Eberechi Eze, widely viewed as the more dynamic choice, was left out of the starting XI but introduced at halftime alongside Bukayo Saka—with Arsenal already trailing 1-0.
This reactive rather than proactive approach is what Keane believes is holding Arsenal back in their pursuit of silverware. “Why wait?” he asked. “They have the quality and depth—so what’s stopping them from going out there and taking control from the first whistle?”
The Risk-Takers vs The Pragmatist
Drawing comparisons to his own experiences under Ferguson and Clough, Keane contrasted their bold philosophies with Arteta’s more conservative methods. “The great managers I played under were gamblers. They didn’t sit back or worry too much about the opposition—they were all about winning,” he explained.
Keane suggested that while Arteta may be building a strong squad, his cautious mentality could ultimately become a barrier. “You don’t win titles by playing it safe. You win them by going for it, by setting the tempo, especially in these big games,” he added.
Pride vs Progress: Keane Calls for Higher Standards
Another area of concern for Keane is what he sees as Arteta’s tendency to settle for moral victories. “Every week he says he’s proud of his team,” said the former United captain. “That’s fine, but pride should come with trophies. When do you say, ‘We expect more’?”
Keane believes Arsenal must adopt a more ruthless mentality if they’re serious about ending their title drought. “They’ve got the squad, they’ve spent the money, now they need the belief. Being second best every season isn’t going to cut it anymore.”
Final Word: Arsenal Must Shift Gears to Reach the Summit
While Arteta has undoubtedly elevated Arsenal in recent seasons, Keane’s critique serves as a reminder that fine margins separate champions from contenders. If the Gunners want to dethrone Manchester City or outpace Liverpool, they may need to embrace a bolder, more aggressive style—starting from the touchline.
