Roy Keane cannot see Arsenal getting anything at Manchester City
Roy Keane is adamant Arsenal will suffer a major blow to their Premier League hopes by losing to title rivals Manchester City.
The Gunners sit top of the table – level on points with Liverpool and one above Man City – with ten games of the 2023-24 campaign remaining.
Arsenal will move four points clear of the defending champions with victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but a home win would see Pep Guardiola’s side overtake the Gunners as they chase a fourth successive league title.
The Gunners, hoping to becoming English champions for the first time since 2004, were thumped 4-1 in this fixture last season but did beat Manchester City at home earlier in the year.
Despite Arsenal’s impressive form – Mikel Arteta’s side have won 20 of their 28 league games this term – Keane cannot see them getting anything at the Etihad against a Man City side who have their sights set on back-to-back trebles.
‘This is big boy stuff now,’ the former Manchester United captain said on The Overlap. ‘Arsenal are not winning there. Arsenal are not winning at Man City.
‘I’m going 2-1 City. Arsenal aren’t winning there. You’re all getting kidded, I’m telling you.’
The Premier League leaders travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday
Keane revealed his prediction for the Premier League title showdown next to Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who is much more optimistic about his former club’s chances.
‘We’re going to beat them,’ Wright said. ‘You know why I’m saying that? Because we have to beat them.
‘Why should I not think we can win when we’ve got a great defensive record and we’re scoring goals? Why should I now go negative on our chances?
‘I think Arsenal will win. We have to beat them, we have to go for it.’
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Liverpool sit between Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League table and are looking to win the title in Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Anfield.
A draw at the Etihad would arguably be the best result from Liverpool’s point of view but Jamie Carragher also sees positives in a Man City or Arsenal win.
Asked if he wants Arsenal to win to dent Man City’s hopes, the Liverpool hero said: ‘Yes, but I think even if Man City lose that game on Sunday, they can still win the league. They can still win the league if they lose.
‘I think if Arsenal get beat, I don’t see how they win the league. For Liverpool, surely you want City to lose but I actually think they could still win the league after that.
‘I don’t see Arsenal winning the league if they get beat. From Liverpool’s point of view then you’re only fighting against one team for the title.
‘I know points-wise it won’t make much of a difference but I just think psychologically it would really affect Arsenal if City jump above them, especially as you’d expect Liverpool to beat Brighton at home and then they’re above Arsenal too.
‘I think it would be tough for Arsenal to come back from that.’
While all eyes will be on the Etihad on Sunday afternoon, Liverpool return to action earlier in the day against Brighton.
Bruno Fernandes lead the praise for Manchester United wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo after his impressive England debut.
Just days after his late call-up to the senior squad, 18-year-old Mainoo made his Three Lions bow in the 1-0 friendly loss to Brazil on Saturday night.
The midfielder came on in the 75th minute, replacing Conor Gallagher, and though England would go onto concede the decisive goal just minutes later, he made a great impression.
He showed great composure, completing all 20 of his passes, and slotted into Gareth Southgate’s midfield nicely, with many fans and pundits hopeful he’ll go to Euro 2024.
After the game, Mainoo posted on Instagram: ‘Special feeling making my senior England debut at Wembley and in front of my family.
‘A moment I will never forget. Now we bounce back and refocus for Tuesday.’
Mainoo’s call-up comes after a brilliant few months for United, with club captain Fernandes among those to hail the teenager, with the Portugal star replying to Mainoo’s post with: ‘First of many.’
United and England defenders Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire added: ‘What a player’ and ‘deserved mate.’
Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are nailed on starters for England, and there is hope that Mainoo could be the missing piece in Southgate’s midfield.
The Arsenal star also replied to the post with: ‘Many more to come! Congrats bro.’
As for the Three Lions boss himself, Southgate said of Mainoo’s cameo: ‘Kobbie was a chance to dip his toes.
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‘We needed to refresh some of the team because we’ve got to manage their minutes a little bit, so that’s a strange situation when it’s a game of that size but that’s where we are.
‘To get Kobbie on the pitch was a brilliant moment for him and his family. You saw a couple of turns and a couple of really composed moments that is a bit of an indication of what he might become.’
Mainoo will be hoping to win his second cap on Tuesday night, when England take on Belgium in what is the final game before Southgate selects his 23-man squad for the Euros.
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