Phil Haigh
Published January 25, 2026 7:40pm
Updated January 25, 2026 7:40pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
Arsenal suffered a painful defeat to Manchester United on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)
Roy Keane is surprised at the lack of confidence Arsenal showed in defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, saying the Premier League leaders are suffering under pressure.
The Red Devils came away from the Emirates with a 3-2 win on a dramatic afternoon in north London which saw the game take huge swings in momentum.
The home team were vastly superior for half an hour at the start of the match and went 1-0 up through a Lisandro Martinez own goal.
Michael Carrick’s side responded impressively, though, equalising through Bryan Mbeumo before the break and going ahead through a stunning Patrick Dorgu strike early in the second half.
The Gunners looked blunt but eventually forced their way level again, with Mikel Merino poking home from a corner, but again the Red Devils responded.
With 87 minutes on the clock, Matheus Cunha produced a brilliant finish from distance to win the game for the visitors.
Keane felt Arsenal showed some mental fragility as they let a brilliant position of dominance slip, suggesting pressure is already getting to them.
Get your football fix
Don't want to miss the week's biggest football stories? Metro's exclusive football newsletter, In The Mixer, is your essential guide.
From the latest transfer rumours and managerial moves to analysis of the biggest games and a lot more, our experts have you covered.
Sign up here, it's an open goal.
Arsenal faltered after taking the lead (Picture: Getty Images)
The Irishman is surprised that a team top of the Premier League and Champions League tables is seemingly lacking some confidence.
‘Do you know what that’s called? Pressure,’ Keane said on Sky Sports. ‘The pressure is on Arsenal today. They’ve seen the results and are in a great position. They’ve got everything going for them and are doing really well in all the competitions.
‘That’s pressure. They’re feeling the pressure. It’s how they deal with it over the next month or two.
Roy Keane has questioned Arsenal’s mentality (Picture: Sky Sports)
‘That’s what has cost them over the last couple of years when they’ve got themselves in good positions. The signs now over the last few weeks…going back to the Liverpool game, the Forest game, and today losing that momentum.
‘If they look at it you have to have step back, reset and say “we’re still in a great position”. They have to find a way to get that momentum back and a bit of confidence.
‘I can’t believe they don’t have that confidence as a team with where they are in the league and what they’re doing in the other competitions. You’d be in the dressing room going “what’s up with everybody?”
WOW! INCREDIBLE from Matheus Cunha! 💥 pic.twitter.com/MVRNaPCOcR
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 25, 2026
‘Play the game, they’re obviously playing the occasion…They’ve got to back to basics and start embracing this challenge rather than being frightened by it.’
The defeat means Arsenal are winless in three Premier League games, after draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
However, they remain four points clear at the top of the table and in a very good position.
As for Manchester United, they climb to fourth thanks to back-to-back victories under Carrick over Manchester City and Arsenal.
Michael Carrick has had the dream start to his spell in charge (Picture: Getty Images)
Keane, though, is still going to take some convincing that the interim boss is the right man for the job on a permanent basis.
More Trending
-
Arsenal 2-3 Man Utd: Dorgu and Cunha screamers harm Gunners title charge
Channel: Football Football 6 hours ago By Phil Haigh - Viktor Gyokeres replacement? Arsenal make contact over move for £82m superstar
- Chelsea make Cole Palmer transfer decision after Man Utd and Man City links
- Arsene Wenger says two Arsenal players were 'nervous' in Man Utd defeat
‘No, you’re being silly now. Two great performances, but anybody can win two games,’ said Keane.
‘It’s what he does till the end of the season. Even if they do get into fourth I’d still wouldn’t be convinced he’s the man for the job, absolutely not.
‘I still think they need a bigger and better manager. But he’s got the opportunity, what a chance it is for him and do you know what? He’s taken it. So fair play to him.’
Arrow MORE: Rio Ferdinand criticises Mikel Arteta and Arsenal forward after Man Utd defeat
Arrow MORE: Wayne Rooney makes Premier League title claim after Manchester United stun Arsenal
Arrow MORE: Patrick Vieira names two Arsenal stars who ‘didn’t produce enough’ against Manchester United
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source Football Newsletter – In The MixerPunchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro's football experts, sent straight to your inbox every week.
Team Expand Options ? Select All Select All Arsenal Arsenal Aston Villa Aston Villa Bournemouth Bournemouth Brighton Brighton Burnley Burnley Chelsea Chelsea Crystal Palace Crystal Palace Everton Everton Fulham Fulham Leeds United Leeds United Liverpool Liverpool Manchester City Manchester City Manchester United Manchester United Newcastle Newcastle Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest Sunderland Sunderland Tottenham Tottenham West Ham West Ham Wolves Wolves Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy