ROY KEANE HAS never been one to hold back on saying what he feels, and after Arsenal’s second Champions League group defeat in as many games, was critical of their recent performances.
The North London outfit lost 3-2 at home to last year’s Greek double-winners Olympiacos, a defeat which has sent them to the foot of the Group F table. Arsene Wenger’s decision to leave Petr Cech on the bench due to ‘slight calf problem’ backfired with David Ospina guilty of a howler that contributed to the loss.
Keane was speaking in his role as a pundit on the ITV highlights show and was clearly not impressed with the manner in which the Gunners lost.
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He claimed the side lack “characters, leaders and winners” with the reverse now leaving Wenger and co. with a huge task if they want to qualify for the lucrative knockout stages of the tournament.
“Listen, they’re soft. Arsenal are soft. They’re weak. The goals they give away… you’ve got no chance of winning any big game if you defend like that.
“I think there’s certainly a weakness to the group, they look like they lack characters, leaders and winners.
“I enjoy watching Arsenal, I think they’re great to watch, particularly going forward. But part of football is, unfortunately, is defending. And mentally, they’re weak.”
This week’s result, coupled with their opening day loss at Dinamo Zagreb, leaves Arsenal in a rough state as they head into back-to-back fixtures against Bayern Munich, but manager Wenger is still sure his side can progress to the last 16.
“It leaves us in a bad position but we are still in it, we have to get a result in our next game against Bayern Munich,” he says.
Arsenal have reached the knockout stage of Europe’s premier competition in the past 15 seasons, but Roy Keane doesn’t give them much hope this time around. It wouldn’t be the first time he vented his frustration at Arsenal either.
Roy Keane accuses Arsenal of being 'mentally weak'
ROY KEANE HAS never been one to hold back on saying what he feels, and after Arsenal’s second Champions League group defeat in as many games, was critical of their recent performances.
The North London outfit lost 3-2 at home to last year’s Greek double-winners Olympiacos, a defeat which has sent them to the foot of the Group F table. Arsene Wenger’s decision to leave Petr Cech on the bench due to ‘slight calf problem’ backfired with David Ospina guilty of a howler that contributed to the loss.
Keane was speaking in his role as a pundit on the ITV highlights show and was clearly not impressed with the manner in which the Gunners lost.
He claimed the side lack “characters, leaders and winners” with the reverse now leaving Wenger and co. with a huge task if they want to qualify for the lucrative knockout stages of the tournament.
“Listen, they’re soft. Arsenal are soft. They’re weak. The goals they give away… you’ve got no chance of winning any big game if you defend like that.
“I enjoy watching Arsenal, I think they’re great to watch, particularly going forward. But part of football is, unfortunately, is defending. And mentally, they’re weak.”
This week’s result, coupled with their opening day loss at Dinamo Zagreb, leaves Arsenal in a rough state as they head into back-to-back fixtures against Bayern Munich, but manager Wenger is still sure his side can progress to the last 16.
“It leaves us in a bad position but we are still in it, we have to get a result in our next game against Bayern Munich,” he says.
Arsenal have reached the knockout stage of Europe’s premier competition in the past 15 seasons, but Roy Keane doesn’t give them much hope this time around. It wouldn’t be the first time he vented his frustration at Arsenal either.
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Arsenal Arsene Wenger Bayern Munich Champions League david ospina Dinamo Zagreb group stage ITV No Holding Back Olympiacos Petr Cech pundit Roy Keane