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Roy Keane criticized Arsenal's performance despite their 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Premier League opening match of the 2025/26 season. He described Arsenal's victory as unconvincing and highlighted issues with some key players, singling out Martin Odegaard as "shocking" and lamenting that at least two others "didn’t turn up" during the match at Old Trafford. Keane emphasized that Arsenal must improve their attacking cohesion and be more clinical if they want to challenge seriously for the title, pointing out that securing just one goal is insufficient and that teams must push for a second or third goal to control games effectively[1][2].

Keane also contrasted Arsenal’s performance with their defensive solidity, acknowledging the well-organized defense which kept Manchester United from scoring despite United being the better side for large spells. Nonetheless, Arsenal's midfield and forward players lacked rhythm and sharpness, which Keane believes must be remedied for sustained success[1][2].

Meanwhile, football pundit Gary Neville expressed that Arsenal have made signings addressing last season's weaknesses, especially in midfield, and that the Gunners should pose a strong challenge to Liverpool in the title race this season. However, Neville also noted Arsenal's historical discipline problems from the prior year, hoping those issues are being resolved[4][5].

Keane’s critique revealed a skepticism about Arsenal's current title credentials, emphasizing that while results matter, the manner in which a team plays and the contributions from key players will ultimately dictate their chances. His comments suggest Arsenal have defensive stability but must develop attacking fluency and consistency, especially against top rivals like Liverpool and Manchester City[1][2].

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