Vain players derail Arsenal
ARSENAL are not capable of winning the Premier League title this season because they have too many players interested in selfies and six packs instead of winning football matches, according to former Manchester United captain Roy Keane.
Keane, a fire and brimstone midfielder, won seven Premier League titles as a player and enjoyed particularly competitive relationship with Arsenal and their similarly combative captain Patrick Viera.
The current Ireland assistant manager, however, said he saw little in the current Gunners side to convince him that they are poised for a first league title since their Viera-led ‘Invincibles’ team in 2004.
“Arsenal have some really good players – some good characters who roll their sleeves up.
“But they also have one or two players who are more interested in selfies and sixpacks.
“Instead of focusing on the Premier League, it’s all about how their bodies look, how their hair is, more so than winning football matches.”
Arsenal, under manager Arsene Wenger, have become one of the most dazzling attacking sides in Europe but a perceived lack of leadership has undermined their ability to make a sustained title challenge for a number of years.
Back-to-back FA Cup triumphs ended their nine-year trophy drought but for too long the north Londoners have not been relevant during the intense 38-game toil of a Premier League season.
Last season, under Jose Mourinho, Chelsea – built around a strong spine of hardworking, physical players – stifled their closest rivals to canter to the league title. Keane said the Stamford Bridge side remained the benchmark in the upcoming season.
“For me, Chelsea remains the team to beat. If they have the same hunger, they did last year, they’ll win the league.” — Reuters