Manchester United icon Roy Keane still fails to envisage Arsenal winning the Premier League title despite admitting that the Gunners are currently favourites.
Mikel Arteta ’s men have enjoyed a stunning campaign so far and sit eight points clear of nearest challengers and reigning champions Manchester City - albeit having played a game more than Pep Guardiola ’s side. They could edge themselves towards their first title in nearly two decades over the next few weeks with key clashes against Liverpool and City to come before the end of the month.
Despite being full of praise for the job Arteta has done at the Emirates Stadium, Keane still does not believe that the Gunners will be toasting glory in just under two months’ time.
“They’re in a great position, wouldn’t have thought that at the start of the season but they’ve been brilliant, a lot of the young players have been very consistent, they can just focus on the league,” the Irishman said on The Overlap. “They’re definitely favourites for the title.
“I don’t think they’ll do it. I still have to fancy City but Arsenal have got themselves in a great position. You need a little bit of luck, injuries over the last few months, they’re in a great position and you have to admire them for that can’t begrudge them.”
In giving a further prediction for the title, Keane sees Man City making it three Premier League successes in a row under Guardiola due to their experience. He added: “I just think City are that brilliant.
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“The games they [Arsenal] have to go and win, these are obviously pressure games and they’ve not dealt with that over the last few years. Even last year with top four they came up short, that’s the question mark that’s just hanging over them.
“‘But again, they’ve been brilliant, if they did go on and win it you have to give them the plaudits, but this is the crunch time, when you sort the men out from the boys, who can get over the line?”
Keane’s comments are not the first time that he’s weighed-in on the Premier League title race. As far back as July, the Man Utd icon was banking on City claiming the title once more, particularly with the addition of goalscoring sensation Erling Haaland being added to their ranks.
Speaking at the time, he said: "I don’t think they will close the gap. I think they will be a bit better. They have quality and the recruitment, but you can’t look beyond Liverpool and Man City."
He added: "Brilliant players, they’ve obviously improved with an unbelievable striker [Haaland] and they’ve got one of the greatest managers ever in Pep [Guardiola]."
Keane then has clearly not changed his tune but it will be interesting to see if his opinion changes as the end of the season creeps ever closer. Man City will be aiming to cut the gap this weekend as they tackle relegation candidates Southampton, whilst Arsenal take on Liverpool.
