Roy Keane has tipped Arsenal to win the Premier League this season, arguing that Mikel Arteta finally has the depth and decisiveness to outlast their rivals. Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s home clash with Manchester City, the former Manchester United captain said the Gunners now look like Liverpool’s closest challengers and have the quality to win the decisive head-to-head encounters.
Keane pointed to Arsenal’s transfer window as the foundation for his view. Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres have slotted straight into the starting XI, offering creativity, control, width and a natural centre-forward presence that was previously missing.
The reinforcements extend beyond the first team. Christian Nørgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Piero Hincapié strengthen the spine, while 15-year-old Max Dowman is now eligible after being sidelined by age restrictions last season. Keane believes this dual upgrade in the starting line-up and rotation options makes Arsenal better equipped for a marathon title race.
Also Read: Fifa World Cup Host Cities Gear Up With Major Infrastructure Upgrades
The timing of Keane’s remarks highlights the stakes of Arsenal’s next test. After a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Liverpool, they host City in a meeting he described as a credibility check. He argued that both sides feel the pressure because Liverpool “keep winning football matches,” and that a draw would be a setback for Arsenal given the urgency of closing ground on City early.
Unlike previous seasons, Keane said Arsenal now have the players to seize such defining moments, no longer handicapped by the absence of a reliable striker. “They certainly have the players capable of winning the league,” Keane said, framing Arsenal as the side most likely to push Liverpool all the way.
Keane also challenged the assumption that City remain inevitable champions. He warned that Liverpool’s consistency leaves little room for error at the top, noting that their low loss tally last season left rivals chasing shadows. If City reach three defeats before the end of September, he suggested, the mathematics of catching Liverpool becomes much tougher.
Although fellow pundit Micah Richards cautioned against dismissing City’s chances, Keane insisted that early setbacks could cost Pep Guardiola’s side dearly.
Also Read: Kylian Mbappe disrupts Liverpool as Salah replacement urged to join Madrid
What makes this year different
For Keane, Arsenal’s improvements tick every box that previously undermined their challenges. With a clinical striker, added invention in attack, a sturdier midfield and dependable defensive depth, Arteta’s side have more balance across the pitch.
The rebuild allows them to handle congested weeks and break through low defensive blocks that cost vital points in past campaigns.
Keane concluded that Arsenal now look like genuine title contenders, armed with the squad and mindset to finally convert near-misses into silverware.
