Roy Keane Still Backs Arsenal for Title After City Loss
Even after losing 2-1 at the Etihad, Roy Keane hasn’t budged — he still thinks Arsenal will win the Premier League. The former United captain doubled down on his preseason pick despite City now breathing down their necks with a game in hand. That’s confidence. Or stubbornness. Maybe both.
What Actually Happened in Manchester
Arsenal didn’t roll over. They went toe-to-toe with City in a proper title six-pointer. Rayan Cherki opened the scoring with slick footwork in the 18th minute. Kai Havertz leveled it soon after, capitalizing on a Donnarumma error. Then Haaland did what Haaland does — buried one from close range after 60 minutes. Game over? Not quite. Arsenal pushed hard late. Havertz even had a golden header in stoppage time — sent it over the bar. Ouch.
City now sit just three points behind with a match in hand. Win against Burnley midweek and they go top. Momentum’s shifted. Pressure’s mounting. But Keane? Unmoved.
Why Keane Won’t Change His Mind
Keane told Sky Sports: “I don’t care. I’m sticking with Arsenal.” He admitted belief inside the Arsenal camp might’ve taken a hit, but he’s holding firm because he called it back in August. There’s something almost nostalgic about that — picking your horse and riding it to the end, even when the track gets muddy. He’s not reacting to form or momentum. He’s betting on identity, culture, resilience — whatever you want to call it.
It’s worth noting: Keane’s not alone in thinking Arsenal can still do this. Plenty of pundits see their squad depth, discipline, and Arteta’s tactical flexibility as real advantages over the final stretch. City have more quality individually, sure. But Arsenal have been more consistent week-to-week. Until Sunday, anyway.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
They don’t get long to lick their wounds. Saturday, Newcastle come to the Emirates. No time to dwell. Win that, keep pace. Lose it? The title race could unravel fast. Here’s what Arsenal need to nail:
- Defensive focus — Donnarumma’s mistake can’t become a trend. One lapse cost them dearly.
- Clinical finishing — Havertz had the chance to save a point. He blew it. Someone needs to step up in those moments.
- Mental reset — Losing to City hurts, but letting it bleed into the next game is fatal.
Arteta’s post-match comments hinted they’re already focused on Newcastle. Good. Dwelling on Haaland’s winner won’t help. Fixing set-piece marking and tightening transitions will.
Can Arsenal Really Still Win It?
Math says yes. Mentally? That’s trickier. Three points isn’t a gap — it’s a stumble. But City controlling their own destiny changes the psychology. Arsenal now need help — either City to drop points, or to win every remaining game and hope. Their schedule isn’t brutal, but it’s not easy either:
- Newcastle (H) — physical, direct, nothing to lose.
- Brighton (A) — tricky, unpredictable, De Zerbi’s boys love chaos.
- Wolves (H) — underrated, well-drilled, dangerous on counters.
- Villa (A) — massive. If City are still ahead by then, this becomes must-win.
Meanwhile, City face Burnley, Forest, Spurs, and West Ham. All winnable — but Spurs at home won’t be a walkover. Anything can happen.
Key Takeaways
- Roy Keane hasn’t changed his Premier League prediction — still backing Arsenal despite their loss to City.
- Arsenal remain in the hunt but no longer control their destiny — City go top if they beat Burnley.
- Mental toughness and clinical finishing will decide whether Arsenal collapse or regroup.
- Upcoming fixtures are manageable but require maximum focus — no room for dropped points.
- Keane’s loyalty to his preseason pick reflects punditry’s human side — sometimes it’s about conviction, not cold stats.
— Editorial Team
