Manchester United legend Roy Keane has voiced strong criticism against three Arsenal stars, claiming they failed to deliver during their 1-0 Premier League victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. Keane insisted that despite Arsenal securing all three points, several of their key players failed to “show up” in what was expected to be a crucial performance. According to him, Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Declan Rice were far from their usual standards and looked ineffective against the Red Devils. The Gunners managed to grab the win after Riccardo Calafiori’s decisive first-half header separated both sides, but Keane argued that the display was far from convincing. Speaking during an analysis session on Sky Sports, Keane highlighted that multiple Arsenal players were off their rhythm. He explained: “This was an Arsenal side where at least four of their main players did not turn up. Rice, who has been consistent, looked off. [Gary] Neville praised Ødegaard, but I honestly thought Ødegaard was poor, and [Bukayo] Saka offered very little impact. Even those who came off the bench didn’t change the game. This was a below-par, disappointing Arsenal performance.” Despite the setback, Manchester United will now look to bounce back in their upcoming fixture against Fulham, hoping to reverse their recent poor form and regain momentum.
Former Arsenal legend Tony Adams has publicly urged current head coach Mikel Arteta to consider making a bold leadership change by appointing Declan Rice as the club’s new captain for the ongoing season. At present, Martin Odegaard holds the prestigious captaincy role at the Premier League giants. The Norwegian international was handed the armband in 2022, following the departure of Alexandre Lacazette from the Emirates Stadium. Arteta’s choice at the time was praised for selecting a technically gifted and composed leader to guide the North London side through a crucial stage of their development. Since taking on the captaincy, Odegaard has had a significant impact. He captained Arsenal to a Community Shield victory in 2023 and played a central role in helping the Gunners secure second place finishes in three consecutive Premier League campaigns. His leadership on and off the pitch has been instrumental in Arsenal’s resurgence as title contenders. However, Adams believes that a change in leadership could benefit both the team and Odegaard’s personal game. Speaking to Tribal Football, the former Arsenal captain explained that shifting the armband to Rice could unleash Odegaard’s creativity without the additional weight of leadership responsibilities. “He [Arteta] has got a really big call to make this year,” Adams stated. “The call is to make Declan Rice the captain. I think Declan is my kind of captain, and it might free Odegaard up to play with a bit more freedom.” Adams’ suggestion stems from his view of Rice’s commanding presence and natural leadership qualities, both on and off the pitch. Since joining Arsenal from West Ham United, the England international has impressed with his tactical awareness, determination, and ability to inspire teammates during high-pressure moments. While no official decision has been announced, the debate over Arsenal’s captaincy could become a key talking point among fans and pundits as the season progresses. Whether Arteta sticks with Odegaard or makes the switch to Rice, the choice could influence Arsenal’s momentum in their quest for silverware.
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Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has suggested that Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz could both feature in the same lineup, potentially offering the Gunners greater attacking depth and flexibility. Gyökeres, who joined Arsenal during the summer transfer window from Portuguese side Sporting CP, has already begun making his mark during pre-season preparations. In contrast, Havertz — who has been deployed in the centre-forward position for much of the past two seasons — remains a key figure in Arsenal’s attacking setup. In the club’s recent pre-season matches, Arteta experimented with different attacking combinations. The Swedish striker started both of Arsenal’s latest friendlies — first against Villarreal, and then against Athletic Bilbao. In the second match, Havertz came on as a substitute for Gyökeres, showing how the manager is testing various options ahead of the new season. Both forwards found the back of the net in Arsenal’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Emirates Cup final on Saturday. Their scoring contributions highlighted the depth and variety Arteta now has in his attacking arsenal — no pun intended. Speaking after the game, Arteta confirmed that he sees no reason why the two cannot play together: “They can play together. It elevates the quality in the squad, the goal threat in the team, and the options we have to change and cause the opposition a lot of problems. It’s great to see both of them scoring. It’s a good problem to have.” The Arsenal manager’s comments suggest that fans might see Gyökeres and Havertz sharing the pitch in competitive fixtures soon, adding another dimension to the club’s attacking strategy as they prepare for the Premier League season.
