September 3rd 2023.
Roy Keane has cast doubts on Arsenal's title credentials, poking fun at Mikel Arteta's comments about the multitude of 'different structures' the Gunners line up in.
The Gunners dropped two points at home to 10-man Fulham last time out and have already lost ground on defending champions Manchester City, who have started the season with a 100 per cent record.
Arteta has brushed off criticism of his set-up during his most recent press conference before facing Manchester United on Sunday, saying: "I think we discuss formations in a different way. In the other game, there were 36 different formations in the match, against Manchester City there were 43."
However, Keane believes Arteta is over-complicating the game and, despite a big summer outlay, feels the Gunners are still short of overthrowing City.
Asked if he was convinced by Arsenal's credentials, Keane told Sky Sports: "No, not really. Obviously they've strengthened the squad, they were brilliant last season - particularly at the start of the season. But we were here [at the Emirates] towards the end of last season where they ran out of steam physically and mentally."
The pundit went on to say that all the other teams are playing catch-up with Manchester City and Arsenal were the best of the rest last year. However, he still thinks they are short and don't have enough to touch City.
Keane concluded by saying that Arteta's comments about formations and tactics are a bit over the top and that sometimes it is best to simplify things as they have a lot of good players. He believes the Gunners came up short last year and will do so again this year.
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