Former Manchester United captain and current pundit Roy Keane is known for his blunt assessments, and in his latest fiery critique, Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta were the targets of his sharp words.
Speaking after a recent Arsenal match, Keane delivered one of his harshest criticisms yet, labeling Arsenal a “small team” and accusing Arteta of employing outdated tactics reminiscent of a “dinosaur.”
Keane’s outburst came in response to Arsenal’s recent dip in form, particularly their failure to make a strong push in the title race despite a promising start to the season.
Although the Gunners have shown moments of brilliance in several games, it’s their inconsistency, lack of toughness, and mental fragility in key moments that drew Keane’s ire.
“It’s the same old Arsenal. A small team mentality,” Keane said bluntly during his post-match analysis.
“They might play some nice football here and there, but when it really matters, when the big games come, they disappear.
You can’t take them seriously as title contenders with the way they approach these crucial matches.
They don’t have the mentality or the grit needed to go all the way.”
Keane’s harsh critique of Arsenal’s “small team” mentality appeared to be rooted in their long-standing struggles to win major trophies or consistently compete at the highest level since the days of Arsène Wenger.
Despite being one of the Premier League’s so-called “big six” clubs, Arsenal’s issues in recent years have seen them miss out on regular Champions League qualification and fall short in domestic cup competitions.
However, Keane reserved his harshest criticism for Mikel Arteta himself.
The former Manchester City assistant coach, who took charge of Arsenal in December 2019, has been praised in some circles for revitalizing the team and implementing a more modern playing style.
But Keane was not convinced, suggesting that Arteta’s methods are no longer effective in today’s fast-paced world of top-level football.
“For all the talk about Arteta being a modern manager, he’s acting like a dinosaur,” Keane said. “His tactics are outdated.
He’s too cautious, too pragmatic, and it’s holding the team back.
Arsenal fans can keep telling themselves that he’s building something, but at some point, you have to ask: is he building for success or just building excuses?”
Keane’s comments have unsurprisingly sparked debate among pundits and fans alike.
Many are now questioning whether Arsenal’s approach under Arteta is indeed too cautious or if the squad simply needs more time to gel and develop under his leadership.
While some Arsenal supporters have defended their manager, citing the stability and structure he has brought to the team, others have expressed concerns about the club’s inability to consistently challenge for the title or secure a top-four finish.
Keane’s no-nonsense analysis will likely reignite conversations about Arsenal’s long-term future under Arteta and whether the club can break its cycle of underachievement.
For Arteta, it remains to be seen whether he will directly respond to Keane’s latest tirade or focus on getting results on the pitch to silence his critics.
One thing is certain: Keane’s comments will add even more pressure on Arteta and his squad as they attempt to prove their detractors wrong and establish themselves as genuine title contenders.
Whether Arsenal can rise to the occasion in the coming weeks could determine the trajectory of their season and the future of Arteta’s tenure at the club.
