Roy Keane's verdict on Mikel Arteta's Arsenal has been proven wrong, 16 months after his infamous debate with former Everton player Tim Cahill.
The Gunners have won five of their last six Premier League outings, sitting fourth in the table, three points clear of Tottenham Hotspur, who have also played an extra match in the league. Arteta 's side have begun to look the part in recent months, looking much more accomplished at both ends of the field since their switch to a 4-3-3 system that deploys Thomas Partey as the deepest midfielder.
The Spanish coach has proved a lot of doubters wrong, with Manchester United legend Keane being one of them. After the north London outfit secured a 1-0 win against United back in November 2019, the Irishman had a heated debate with Everton hero Cahill, who was full of praise for his former teammate.
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"Mikel (Arteta) deserves a lot of praise," Cahill told Sky Sports after the aforementioned clash at Old Trafford. "I agree with you on the (lack of) leadership (in the United squad), these players are playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world and they shouldn't need motivation."
"Can I ask you one question," Keane replied. "How many games have Arsenal lost this season?" Cahill then responded to the former Sunderland boss, saying: "They've lost a few games but they know why they've lost. There's three (losses) but they know why they've lost. They finish the game and they're learning, they're progressing."
However, Keane was quick to dismiss the former Australian international. He added: "I know why they lost They won 1-0 against a poor United team and all of a sudden Arsenal are the new Bayern Munich? Do me a favour."
Cahill's assessment on Arteta has since been proven right, with the former Toffees frontman claiming that the Gunners were learning from defeats and improving as they went.
