Roy Keane reveals why Arsenal still look short of Premier League title contenders

Feargal Brennan

Roy Keane reveals why Arsenal still look short of Premier League title contenders image

Arsenal secured a winning start to their 2025/26 Premier League season as Mikel Arteta's side scrapped out a 1-0 victory at Manchester United.

The Gunners needed to be at their gritty best on the road at Old Trafford as the off-key visitors dragged themselves over the finishing line.

United goal keeper Altay Bayındır's mistake from a corner allowed Riccardo Calafiori to bundle home a 13th minute opener for the away side.

The hosts enjoyed the better of the contest after the restart, as Arsenal dug in, and keeper David Raya produced several key saves to keep the win safe.

Calafiori's goal proved to be enough for Arteta who handed starting Premier League debuts to summer signings Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres.

Gyokeres endured a game to forget, failing to register a single shot, despite his impressive debut records for Coventry City and Sporting CP.

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The Swedish international was brought into add much-needed ruthlessness to Arsenal's attack and former United captain Roy Keane believes old habits still exist with Arteta's team.

Riccardo Calafiori heads Arsenal in front against Manchester United

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"You wonder why Arsenal are still coming up short - it's because they are still happy to sit back at 1-0," as per Sky Sports via BBC Sport.

"And then you think, is that the reason you drew so many games last year?

"You compare that to Man City and Liverpool. They are always looking to go on and get the second or the third. Even on a bad day they can score two or three goals."

Up next for Arsenal is a home clash with newly-promoted Leeds United on August 23.

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Feargal Brennan

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.