Roy Keane has suggested that he will only truly respect Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side when they have won the Premier League title.
The Gunners take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon knowing they need a result. City have claimed the last four Premier League titles and six of the last seven, with Pep Guardiola completely dominating the division in recent years.
Arsenal came up two points short last season after drawing 0-0 at City following a four-point gap in the 2022/23 campaign. Arteta has overseen a sustained period of improvement at Arsenal since taking over in late 2019, but the league title remains the ultimate goal for a club who haven’t lifted the trophy since their famous Invincibles side did it in 2003/04.
City boast a 47-game unbeaten record at home in all competitions – a run that stretches back nearly two years – and Keane has challenged Arsenal to show their mettle on Sunday. "We're four, five games into the season, it's a chance to put a marker down against one of your nearest rivals,” he said on Sky Sports.
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“Arsenal have had a lot of praise but still won nothing. Can they get a result and a big win? It will be very difficult but it's obviously a very important game." Arsenal’s 0-0 draw last season was the only point they have taken in their last nine visits to City.
Their last win at the Etihad Stadium came nine years ago when Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla netted in a 2-0 victory and legendary Gunners midfielder Patrick Vieira told Sky Sports: "I think the pressure is on Arsenal. I think City are quite comfortable with what they've achieved in the last years.
“And everyone is expecting Arsenal to takeover and try to win the game today, so the pressure will be on their shoulders. What is exciting is the way the Arsenal team has been built and the way they have been progressing. They are ready to challenge for the title."
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Another former Arsenal star, Paul Merson, added: "Arsenal have to do more than they did against Tottenham. Kyle Walker has come into the team to stop that counter-attacking threat. Arsenal need more. If they don't, it's going to be relentless. Last season, City didn't have too many chances, Arsenal were very good. But if they get to a five-point [gap], that will be it. It will be an uphill battle."
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