Roy Keane warns Arsenal that their Community Shield win over Man City will have ‘no bearing going forward’ in their Premier League title challenge
- Arsenal beat Man City 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Wembley
- Mikel Arteta’s side finished second in the Premier League last season behind City
- Ex-Manchester United captain Keane believes Arsenal are not yet City’s equals
Roy Keane played down Arsenal’s victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield, dismissing the season-opening fixture as a ‘friendly match’.
City hunted down the Gunners last season to win a third consecutive Premier League title, and looked set to overcome Mikel Arteta’s side again at Wembley when Cole Palmer gave them a 77th-minute lead.
However, a Leandro Trossard equaliser in the 11th minute of second half stoppage time levelled the game before penalty misses from Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri handed Arsenal the win.
The Arsenal players, including record signing Declan Rice, celebrated on the Wembley turf afterwards, but Manchester United legend Keane was not overly impressed by the achievement.
He told ITV: ‘When you play matches you want to get into the habit of winning matches but remember it’s a friendly match.
Arsenal won their first silverware since 2020 following the penalty shootout victory against Manchester City at Wembley
The Arsenal players, including summer siging Declan Rice (middle), celebrated on the Wembley pitch after the match
‘City will react. Arsenal will have good energy and happy people in the dressing room, and go into Forest next week [in the Premier League] in a better place.
‘[The win is] More important for Arsenal than City but this will have no bearing going forward.’
The victory is Arsenal’s first silverware since they beat Liverpool on penalties to win the Community Shield in 2020, and they have spent more than £200m in the summer transfer window to try and close the gap on treble-winners City.
However, Keane, who won seven Premier Leagues whilst playing for United, believes they have more to prove before they can be considered regular contenders for the league title.
Before the game, he said: ‘A lot of people talk a good game, talk about where they need to improve, but the proof’s in the pudding.
‘Last year they got themselves in a great position and came up short physically and mentally.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes Arsenal still have more to prove before they can be considered equal to City
‘The next step for Arsenal is the biggest step.’
When Chelsea women’s boss Emma Hayes suggested that Arsenal were ‘closer than ever’ to winning the Premier League, Keane’s response was typically blunt.
‘Close is not good enough,’ he said.
‘Just because they finished second last year and they’ve strengthened the squad with very good signings, doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to take the next step.’
