Manchester United legend Roy Keane delivered a critical assessment of Arsenal's performance despite their 1-0 victory at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025. Keane recognized Arsenal’s win but pointed out their cautious approach after taking the lead. He described Arsenal as being "happy enough to sit in at 1-0," implying they prioritized maintaining their narrow advantage over pushing further offensively.

Keane criticized Arsenal’s overall attitude and lack of aggressive intent throughout the match. While Arsenal managed to secure the three points through Riccardo Calafiori's goal, which came from a corner where Manchester United’s goalkeeper Matt Turner was at fault, Keane conveyed that the Gunners showed a limited performance level with much room for improvement.

Despite the victory, Keane’s remarks suggested he believes Arsenal did not fully capitalize on the opportunity against a Manchester United team he branded as "weak and soft," particularly at the half-time stage. He also urged for more intensity and “violence” in United’s approach, singling out certain players to raise their competitive edge.

Keane’s analysis implied that while securing three points is important, Arsenal cannot be complacent considering their performance quality. He foresees "a lot more to come" from Arsenal in future matches but was not impressed by their pragmatic tactics and performance level during this specific game.

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In summary, Keane’s comments reflect a nuanced view — he acknowledges Arsenal’s win but highlights their conservative play and underwhelming display, suggesting both teams have significant issues to address despite the narrow scoreline.


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