Keane: Gunners too weak for title

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Sunderland manager almost engineered a famous victory against Arsene Wenger's struggling side on Saturday, only for Cesc Fabregas to rob the Irishman of his glory with a late header.

And with Arsenal far from at their best against the spirited Black Cats, Keane is certain the title will be won by either United or Chelsea this season.

"Of course they can challenge," he said. "If Arsenal can't challenge what hope have we got? There are four teams we know which will finish in the top four. But will Arsenal finish first? I don't think so. I think Chelsea and United are stronger — that's my opinion."

Keane hinted that the lack of a physical edge will count against the Emirates club come May.

"Every team has its different characters and different dynamics," he added. "Arsenal are still a good team but different to the one I played against. There were different characters back then.

"These days there is no [Martin] Keown, [Tony] Adams or [Patrick] Vieira. You need certain characters in your team."

Fabregas prevented a second successive League defeat for Arsenal for the first time since April 2007.

Had Arsenal lost at the Stadium of Light a crisis of confidence may well have deepened but Wenger said: "We need to win every game but I think against Sunderland and against Hull we have been a bit unlucky. Every shot on goal against us at the moment seems to go in. There's nothing we can do about that.

"We have to get over a period like that, but I still believe that we have enough quality to win against the top teams."