Mikel Arteta gave a simple, one-word response to Roy Keane’s harsh criticism following Arsenal’s intense 2-2 draw with Manchester City. The match, held at the Etihad, saw Arsenal battling with 10 men for the entire second half after Leandro Trossard was sent off just before halftime for receiving a second yellow card. Despite being a man down, Arsenal was on the verge of a remarkable victory until John Stones scored in the 98th minute, earning City a late equalizer.
After the game, Arsenal faced backlash from fans and pundits, particularly for what was perceived as using ‘dark arts’ tactics to hold onto their lead. Roy Keane, a former Manchester United captain, took a particularly sharp jab at Arsenal, accusing them of playing with a ‘small team mentality.’
In his critique, Keane mocked Arsenal’s approach during the match, stating, “They were just booting it, like a small team with a small mentality.” He went on to compare Arsenal’s tactics in this match with their approach against Brighton a few weeks earlier, accusing them of time-wasting and playing negatively when under pressure.
Keane’s point was that Arsenal’s defensive mindset wasn’t only a reaction to playing against a strong team like Manchester City but had been present even in other matches, such as the one against Brighton.
Despite Keane’s harsh words, Arteta remained composed and refused to engage in a verbal spat. When asked about Keane’s comments during a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming match against Leicester City, Arteta simply replied, “no,” declining to elaborate or defend his team’s tactics. This minimal response demonstrated Arteta’s focus on the team’s upcoming challenges rather than getting caught up in external criticisms.
As it stands, Arsenal has had a solid start to the season, earning 11 points from their first five league matches. They currently sit in fourth place, just two points behind league leaders Manchester City. Arteta and his team will be looking to continue building momentum as they pursue their title ambitions in the Premier League.
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