Roy Keane calls for more from Arsenal in big games

Roy Keane called on Arsenal to ‘show a little bit more’ in big games after watching Mikel Arteta’s side draw 2-2 at Arsenal on Sunday.

Arsenal played the entire second half with 10 men after Leandro Trossard was sent off just before the interval.

The Gunners had been leading 2-1, slightly against the run of play, when Trossard went off – after strikes from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel had followed Erling Haaland’s 100th City goal.

But City eventually equalised in the 98th minute when John Stones bundled home following a short corner routine.

Arsenal had just 22 per cent of possession on Sunday, having had 36 per cent in each of their previous two Premier League games – last weekend’s 1-0 win at Tottenham and August’s 1-1 draw against Brighton, during which Declan Rice was sent off.

Leandro Trossard was sent off in the first half when Arsenal were 2-1 up against the run of play

Arteta received widespread praise for his side’s defensive organisation and resilience at Spurs.

While Keane recognised that the Gunners were again solid at the back for most of Sunday’s trip to Manchester, he was a little disappointed by their lack of ambition and composure with the ball.

Speaking during Sky Sports’ post-game analysis, former Man United captain Keane said: ‘I think even when Arsenal had 10 men, I know they get credit for sitting in and defending, but they still need to do a little bit more in possession.

‘Ultimately, okay the goal came late, but you always felt it was going to come.

‘You just need to do a bit more. You’re talking about Arsenal Football Club, going to win league titles. They did this as well against Brighton a few weeks ago. In the last 10 minutes they were almost time-wasting and settling for a draw.

‘I just wanted to see another side to Arsenal and I didn’t quite see it today. But ultimately before the game they would have taken a draw and both teams would be satisfied with that.’

Roy Keane was underwhelmed by Arsenal and wanted to see them ‘show a little bit more’ 

Former Man United captain Keane was joined on Sky Sports’ panel of pundits by Theo Walcott (centre), Micah Richards (second right) and Paul Merson (right) at the Etihad Stadium

Former City defender Micah Richards then asked Keane about the difficulties midfielders can face when playing in a team that has gone down to 10 men. 

Keane replied: ‘Obviously, it’s difficult against Man City. It’s difficult when you have 11 players.

‘But I think you just need a couple more passes, or players to win you a free-kick and get you up the pitch, because the stats are there, that pressure, that pressure. Ultimately, it wasn’t really a lack of quality that cost them. It was just the pressure was building.

‘I just think from Arsenal, show a little bit more quality or composure, better decision-making in possession.

‘I know it’s hard when we’re up here and we’re having cups of tea and you’re eating loads of chocolate and stuff, and it’s easy to judge them.

‘But I just think that they need to show a little bit more in these games.’