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Keane: Gunners too weak for title
Simon Rushworth6 Oct 2008
Sunderland boss Roy Keane has written off the Gunners' chances of wresting the Premier League title from his former club Manchester United.
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.”
Reader views (6)
I do agree with you well spoken.I think it's the same excuses time after time we are just refusing to move with the times.Aw had the chance to build a team that could better cope with the way team play against but pride would not let him do that.Wake up Aw teams have moved on
- Mavwe, Toronto, Canada, 06/10/2008 21:37
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“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.
Funny that's exactly what Ramos is saying just up the road.
- Nick, LOS ANGELES, 06/10/2008 20:14
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Some of us are getting tired of Wenger moaning when Arsenal fail to win.This week it was sunderland playing with ten men behind the ball, so what? For teams like Sunderland its all about Surviving in the premiership.They play exactly the same against United and Chelsea, its up to these teams to break them down. After all we are forever hearing about what a wonderful attacking side Arsenal are. The final straw for me was Wenger claiming that Hull City played defensive football. Hull City played wonderful attacking football against Arsenal, in fact they played so well the Arsenal fans applauded them off the pitch. For once in his life Wenger should have given a team the credit they deserved.
- James Hennessy, london england, 06/10/2008 20:01
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I want to see Diaby come back in the midfield with Cesc and see him and Nasri get a run in the team. Bendtner and Vela need a run also and with Eduardo returning soon i think we will get stronger. Don't think the prem is our trophy this year, but next season yes! The likes of Djourou, Ramsey, Denilson, Song, Bischoff, Wilshere, Vela all more experienced and start the season with a fit Eduardo. Buy one strong, strong central defender and we should be set with a great squad.
- Paul Newman, Milton Keynes/UK, 06/10/2008 17:08
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I think Wenger has a problem with player selection.Why did he change the formation he played against Porto.Infact Van Persie is not good on the left flank,why did he put him there.Why did he leave Nasri on the bench? I am not a prophet of doom but if Wenger fails to change his tactic,my darling club Arsenal would go trophiless for four seasons.
- Simon, Cape Coast,Ghana, 06/10/2008 15:53
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Wenger is chatting nonsense, how about try saving the shots for a change and get your players to shoot from outside the box, how long are we gonna keep on this "walk the ball in the net" rubbish, all EPL teams know this is the only way arsenal play so they have adjusted their game, whereas arsenal never change tactics to suit the opposition of the day, all Wenger's fault. Oh and BTW please get rid of Adebayor ASAP, contender for worst (and wasteful) striker i have ever seen, and im an arsenal fan.
- Norbert, london, 06/10/2008 14:06
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