Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has firmly rejected the suggestion from pundit Roy Keane that the Premier League title race is already finished, despite his side holding a commanding five-point lead at the summit.
Keane's Bold Declaration on The Overlap
The controversy began earlier this week when former Manchester United captain Roy Keane made a stark assessment of the title chase on the popular football show The Overlap. Keane stated unequivocally: 'The league is over. It's over. The league is over.' His comments came with Arsenal sitting pretty at the top of the table, having conceded a mere seven goals in their opening 14 matches.
Arteta's Grounded Reality Check
When confronted with Keane's proclamation ahead of Arsenal's tricky away fixture at Aston Villa, Arteta was quick to dismiss any notion that the job is done. 'I don't know, we know the reality,' the Gunners' boss responded. He emphasised the relentless nature of the Premier League schedule and the quality of opposition his team faces every few days.
Arteta elaborated, highlighting the constant challenge. 'We sense it three days before, the week before and that's the reality of the league,' he said, underlining his squad's day-by-day approach. The Spaniard pointed to Villa's own strong form as a perfect example of the difficulties that lie in wait, agreeing that it serves as a timely reminder.
The Long Road Ahead
Despite their impressive defensive record and points advantage over reigning champions Manchester City, Arteta stressed it is far too early for any celebrations. 'We're still very early in the season,' he cautioned, listing factors like fixture schedules, home and away matches, and the strength of various opponents. His message was clear: the only focus is on preparing for the next challenge, which is the Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Villa Park.
Arteta's final words summed up his philosophy: 'Just try to be as good as we can every day and go day by day.' This pragmatic stance directly counters Keane's decisive verdict, setting the stage for a compelling second half of the season as Arsenal aim to prove their title credentials on the pitch, not in the punditry booth.
