Arsenal must be extra nervous about ending within the prime 4 than catching Liverpool, says Roy Keane

Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes are over and they need to be extra nervous about securing Champions League qualification than catching Liverpool, in response to Sky Sports activities pundit Roy Keane.

Declan Rice cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick because the Gunners got here from behind to attract 1-1 with Manchester United on Sunday however the outcome leaves them 15 factors behind the leaders.

They sit six factors forward of fourth-placed Chelsea, with Man Metropolis eight factors behind in fifth. Historically a top-four end secures Champions League qualification, although that would stretch to 5 locations this time period, relying on English golf equipment’ performances in Europe.

Arsenal dominated possession for lengthy spells at Outdated Trafford however struggled to create possibilities earlier than Rice’s medical first-time end within the 74th minute. They had been then indebted to the goalkeeping heroics of David Raya for retaining them stage within the closing phases.

Arsenal scored seven of their Champions League demolition of PSV Eindhoven in midweek however have solely discovered the online as soon as of their final three Premier League video games amid accidents to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Gabriel Martinelli returned from his hamstring drawback instead at Outdated Trafford however Keane was left unimpressed by Arsenal’s mentality as they didn’t make the most of United’s struggles and get the victory.

“If you don’t have cutting edge and you’re not scoring any goals, forget about closing any gap on Liverpool,” Keane mentioned on Sky Sports activities. “You should be more worried about teams coming up behind you.”

Paul Merson, sitting alongside Keane, mentioned: “Fifth in the league are nearer to Arsenal than what Arsenal are to first. I would be saying now, ‘we’ve got to concentrate on making sure we finish in the top four’.

“It is beginning to get slightly bit tight there and Manchester Metropolis have gotten some good fixtures in the mean time. It would not shock me if Man Metropolis, who I believe are fifth in the mean time, if they’ll catch Arsenal.”

Keane added: “Arsenal scored seven within the week however they did not have any swagger about them immediately. On the finish, you are most likely considering United are going to win it, they usually’ve been dreadful.

“I might be their mentality and considering, ‘the place was it?’ You will need to scent United are there for the taking, however Arsenal weren’t streetwise. They had been open and Man Utd might’ve received it on the finish.

“Arsenal have done well and made progress over the last few years, but the next step is the hardest one. If you’re Arsenal, what good is second to you? You want to be winning titles.

“I have never seen an Arsenal aspect who’re machine-like, who knew Man Utd had been there for the taking. I wasn’t proud of their mindset. Neglect about Liverpool, fear in regards to the groups behind them.

“Liverpool will be looking at that and not thinking they’re going to be put under pressure, they’ll be thinking Arsenal have almost given up the title chase.

“There’s that putting concern, after all, however I nonetheless thought there can be that mentality of getting the job executed. If something, it was the other.”

Keane added that he doubts Arsenal’s potential to win the Premier League title under Arteta following back-to-back second-placed finishes, particularly as he expects Liverpool and Manchester City to be stronger next season.

“What makes you assume the supervisor can do it?” he said. “They have shut over the previous couple of years, however Metropolis might be robust subsequent yr and I am positive Liverpool might be too.

“Where is the evidence to think they can do it? Getting a striker in would help, have they got the right mentality? Has the manager? You see a different side to them when they’re losing every week, but they get all agitated when they’re losing.

“I do not assume getting a striker in who’ll rating 20 targets a season will essentially be the distinction.

“Will City and Liverpool just stand still? They’re going to look to improve, Pep will bounce back and I think Liverpool will be stronger next season. We don’t know where Chelsea are, but what’s the evidence from this group of players that they can do it?

“It is alright difficult, but it surely must be about profitable titles.”

Redknapp: Striker signing can get Arsenal challenging again

Jamie Redknapp disagreed with Keane’s assertion that signing a striker wouldn’t flip Arsenal into title winners, however admitted they must herald the suitable participant having misplaced the “joy” to their play this season.

“There’s been a real focus on set pieces this season and that’s not working for them at the moment,” mentioned Redknapp on Sky Sports activities.

“There’s not been a joy in Arsenal’s play this season compared to last, the year before and the year before that with [Granit] Xhaka in midfield.

“I simply do not see it. Even with Bukayo Saka, there have been video games at dwelling the place they could not end groups off. They have not completed groups off in the identical means.”

He added: “I am assured in the event that they signal an elite striker they’re going to problem for the title. However how laborious are they to search out?

“They always get spoken about with [Alexander] Isak, he’s obviously elite with the goals he’s got and how he plays. But would Arsenal be the only ones in for him if he does leave?

“[Benjamin] Sesko as effectively, they have been talked about with him, but it surely’s only a case of a striker. Though Kai Havertz has executed effectively, they signed him as a No 8.

“Then you ask him to be a killer in the box – is he going to get 20 a season? That’s Salah numbers. That’s what they’ve got to try to find, and if they do with their defensive stability they’ll certainly go close next season.”

Neville: Lack of striker has price them

Gary Neville underlined the importance of the membership’s failure to signal a striker, saying Arteta and his gamers are entitled to really feel “let down” by the membership for not appearing sooner.

Arsenal once more used Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker at Outdated Trafford however the Spain worldwide, a pure midfielder, was unable to make an affect.

“I think these players can be let down. I think the manager can feel let down,” he added on The Gary Neville Podcast. “I think they should have been supplied over the last year or so with a striker.

“I am speaking a couple of striker, and Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus. For me, they’ve left themselves woefully in need of attacking gamers. They’ve had accidents however you have to plan for that.

“You need to be able to call upon people and rely upon your bench and your squad and it was more evident in that first half than ever.

“They lack a focus up prime who can do the job for them. Liverpool have higher attacking choices.”