‘Small team with small mentality’ — Manchester United legend slams Arsenal for 'negative' tactics against Manchester City

Arsesenal players against Man City || imago

‘Small team with small mentality’ — Manchester United legend slams Arsenal for 'negative' tactics against Manchester City

Ayoola Kelechi 12:00 - 27.09.2024

Apparently, a draw at the Etihad against Manchester City is not enough for football fans and legends

Roy Keane has unleashed a scathing attack on Arsenal, criticising their approach in the recent 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

The Manchester United legend labelled the Gunners as a “small club with a small mentality” after their defensive tactics following Leandro Trossard’s red card.

Arsenal criticised despite draw against Manchester City

Despite coming within touching distance of becoming the first team to beat Manchester City in more than 600 days, the Gunners and manager Mikel Arteta have been widely criticised for their decision to play with their backs to the wall after going down to 10-men at the Etihad Stadium.

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After Manchester City took the lead through Erling Haaland, Arsenal replied with two goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes, before going down to ten men after a second yellow card for Leandro Trossard just before the break.

In the second half, Arsenal set up in an ultra-defensive shape, trying to see out the win, but were left heartbroken thanks to a 98th-minute equaliser from John Stones.

Keane tears into Arsenal’s defensive approach

Despite the impressive result at the reigning Champions, not everyone was pleased for Arsenal, including former Manchester United captain Keane.

Man United legend Roy Keane || Credit: Reuter

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane berated Arsenal, saying, “They were just booting it, like a small team with a small mentality.”

He compared their approach against Manchester City to their earlier performance against Brighton, where they also resorted to a defensive mindset after losing Declan Rice to a red card in a 1-1 draw.

“They were time-wasting against Brighton at home,” the Red Devils’ legend said, adding, “so forget this idea it was Man City.

“When you’ve got it, still look after it. Try and get four or five passes together. It’s not just booting it away.”

Despite almost clinching a rare victory against Manchester City before Stones' late equaliser, it still appears that the Gunners have not earned the respect of everyone in football.

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