19/08/2025

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Keane takes aim at Arteta Former United skipper questions Gunners’ cautious approach E X-MANCHESTER UNITED skipper Roy Keane has questioned Arsenal’s mental ity after their narrow victory over his for mer side at Old Trafford, pondering whether the Gunners’ cautious approach will ultimately cost them. short – it’s because they are still happy to sit back at 1-0,” Keane declared on Sky Sports . “And then you think, is that the reason you drew so many games last year?. block, they are very difficult to break down. “Then you add in the set-pieces and they are a good team. I would just like to see them be a little more brave.”

the team.” Former Crystal Palace and Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live , thinks the qualities Arsenal showed could be a sign of a season of success. He said: “That’s the sign of champions when you don’t play well and still get the three points. “The difference was goalkeepers. David Raya was outstanding, and Altay Bayindir made a huge mistake. “Viktor Gyokeres fed on scraps. It is difficult for him. There’s still a lot more to come from him.” Former Manchester United player and Sky pundit Gary Neville added: “Arsenal really dug in and showed a lot of resilience. “Arsenal were never at their best but to come here to Old Trafford, or over to Manchester City, and get three points is big.” – Express Newspapers/Agencies

Arsenal manager Arteta harboured no illu sions regarding his side’s performance quality but remained satisfied with the outcome. “We came here away and won which is a big result,” the Spaniard said. “We were clearly not at our best. We attacked the box and we reacted well to unusual mistakes. The team reacted time after time in an incredible way. “Very proud of that because that is why we got the opportunity to win the game. We showed a resilience and a will to win. “They put you on the ropes here, you will have to have moments when you suffer. To find a way to win at this ground, I’m very happy with

“You compare that to Man City and Liverpool. They are always looking to go on and get the sec ond or the third. Even on a bad day they can score two or three goals.” Keane’s observation references the 14 draws Arsenal accumulated in the League last season, finishing 10 points adrift of Liverpool despite suf fering an identical number of defeats. Fellow pundit Micah Richards praised Arsenal’s defensive resilience though but sug gested a bolder attacking philosophy might elimi nate the necessity to be so defensive at times. “It’s how much you can dig deep,” Richards said. “What has helped Arsenal stay in title races in recent years is that when they get into that low

Despite securing victory through Riccardo Calafiori’s header from close range, Keane believes Arsenal’s tendency to defend slender advantages could prove their undoing once again this season. The previous campaign saw Mikel Arteta’s men squander crucial points from winning posi tions, leading in seven of their final eight fixtures yet claiming victory in just three. Arsenal surrendered leads against Everton, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth dur ing that costly period. “You wonder why Arsenal are still coming up

Forest ease Nuno’s fears by sweeping aside Brentford

Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye (left) scores their second goal during the English Premier League match against Brentford yesterday. – AFPPIC

NOTTINGHAM FOREST made a mockery of Nuno Espirito Santo’s pre-match worries as they beat Brentford 3-1 in their open ing game of the Premier League season. Nuno expressed his “con cern” for the campaign ahead of the match, citing a lack of options in his squad, but he will feel bet ter after a rampant display at the City Ground on Sunday. After new signings Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee were unveiled before kickoff, their new teammates put on a show as Chris Wood’s double and a debut goal for Dan Ndoye put them 3-0 up at the break. With more signings to come and a Europa League journey to look forward to after last season’s seventh-place finish, Forest fans may have more optimism than their manager after this opener.

“It was a good start to the game

and a good start to the season. I’m really pleased, I think we played really well,” Nuno

told Forest TV .

“The boys were on fire in the way they started the game. We got the first goal to settle every thing down then we had the energy from the fans and every thing started to flow. It’s almost impossible to ask for a better start. “Just before our second goal, Brentford had a good chance, but for the rest of the half we were in control of the game, with and without the ball, pressing, con trolling the movements of Brentford and their players.” – The Independent/Agencies

Eze a Palace player: Glasner Ű BY ROBERT O’CONNOR

Howe leaves Isak fine issue to club Ű BY JONATHAN VEAL

Isak was after the window closes. “I think it’s been my wish to get a striker when we needed to replace Callum Wilson,” he added. “I can’t say that enough. It’s not like we’re looking at any other area. “We’ve been looking to recruit a striker to replace Callum. And Callum is a big miss, not just his playing ability, but his personality, so that’s what we’re looking to do.” Aston Villa did well to take a point after having to play the final 30 minutes with 10 men following Ezri Konsa’s red card. Debutant goalkeeper Marco Bizot did well, standing in for the suspended Emiliano Martinez. Villa boss Unai Emery said: “Fantastic, because it was his debut at home, against Newcastle. There are a lot of tactical ways we needed to do with the goalkeeper … He took some risk and played with confidence. “His first save gave him confidence to play and feel strong in our structure. I am so happy because we need our players, and we will need him.” – The Independent

beat Manchester City to lift the FA Cup at Wembley in May, in light of which he was not expected to feature in west London. The 27-year-old’s contract included a £68 million (RM394m) release clause that expired on Friday, with neither Spurs nor Arsenal reportedly willing to go that high. “As much as I know, Eze has a contract with Crystal Palace, he’s a Crystal Palace player and he showed it today,” said Glasner. “As long as he is a Palace player and performs like this he will play for us. Nobody has told me something else. “He was picked because he’s a Crystal Palace player and he’s a very good player. He trained the whole week so there was no reason not to pick him. “The players are giving their answer (to press speculation) week by week. Last week winning against Liverpool on penalties (in the Community Shield) and here against the club world champions. “Don’t always believe what you read, especially on the internet. And here it’s the same. Who knows that this is the truth, what is written? You’ve got rumours, so many rumours. “I watch the players every day. If most of the things that are written about them are true, they couldn’t perform like this, they couldn’t be together like this, couldn’t be committed like this.” – The Independent

NEWCASTLE boss Eddie Howe said it was up to other people at the club as to whether wantaway forward Alexander Isak would be fined. The Sweden striker, who was the subject of a rejected bid from Liverpool, has been trying to force a move away from St. James’ Park and has been training alone after refusing to play in some pre-season matches. He was not involved as Newcastle kicked off their Premier League campaign with a goalless draw at Aston Villa, where they failed to score against 10 men. Asked whether Isak was facing a fine, Howe said: “Other people are dealing with that issue. I’m concentrating on the team and our next game.” The saga surrounding Isak’s future has exacerbated a difficult transfer window, which has seen the Magpies miss out on a number of targets, including Benjamin Sesko. Howe reiterated the club’s desire to sign a new striker, regardless of where

CRYSTAL PALACE manager Oliver Glasner said Eberechi Eze will play for as long as he remains at the club and urged fans not to believe “rumours” the England international is about to be sold. Amid reports of an imminent move, Eze was a surprise inclusion as Palace began their Premier League campaign with a goalless draw against a lacklustre Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He looked to have delivered a potential parting gift to supporters with a brilliant first-half freekick before VAR intervened controversially to disallow the goal. Referee Darren England initially allowed Eze’s bullet finish after 15 minutes to stand, but a rarely-invoked rule stating an attacking player may not stand within a yard of the defensive wall at a free-kick meant the presence of Marc Guehi – another surprise starter amid interest from Liverpool – next to Moises Caicedo constituted a foul. “We know the rule that you have to be one yard away from the wall,” said Glasner. “At the beginning we were, maybe we stepped too early because you have to wait until the kicker kicks the ball. If this was the case then maybe it’s right.” Palace have had talks with Tottenham over Eze and Arsenal are also reported to be keen to sign the midfielder, who scored the winner when the Eagles