Roy Keane: Arsenal ‘have run out of steam’ after 3-0 home defeat to Brighton effectively ends title hopes

Arsenal lose 3-0 at home to Brighton to see their Premier League title hopes effectively ended; Gunners four points behind leaders Manchester City, who need one win to claim title; Roy Keane told Sky Sports: “Arsenal just look like they have run out of steam, physically and mentally”

Roy Keane believes Arsenal “have run out of steam, physically and mentally” as their Premier League title hopes were effectively ended after a 3-0 home defeat to Brighton.

The damaging loss leaves leaders Manchester City just one win from lifting the title, which they can do next Sunday if they beat Chelsea at home, live on Sky Sports.

The Gunners had been eight points clear of City at the top after 18 games but just two wins in their last seven matches has allowed City to open up a four-point lead over Mikel Arteta’s side.

Following the 3-0 defeat to Brighton, seven-time Premier League winner Keane told Sky Sports: “Arsenal just look like they have run out of steam, physically and mentally.

“But we cannot be too hard on Arsenal. It has been a very good season. They have just come up short.

We are talking about top-level football here. You have to remind people it is so hard to win.

“What happened to Arsenal today was brutal. But it was brilliant. Watching a team just come up short and there is no hiding place. That is why we love the game. There is no hiding place and they were found out today.

I think we saw a team today that was physically and mentally shot. It really was. As soon as Brighton started flexing their muscles, passing and moving, looking sharp, they looked quicker and sharper.

“We have been saying for a few months that if they have a few injuries they will struggle and certainly they do not have the strength in depth of City. They have the experience and the depth in quality. Arsenal have just come up short. It is as simple as that.

“I think when you look at some of the games over the last five or six weeks, the West Ham game [2-2 away draw] particularly stands out for me. The West Ham and Southampton [3-3 home draw] games.

I know they have dropped points at Liverpool [2-2 away draw], losing at City [4-1 defeat]. That can happen.

“They have won 25 league games which is fantastic. But I think the points lost against West Ham and Southampton definitely knocked them back a bit.”

The former Manchester United midfielder believes Arsenal need to strengthen their squad this summer because their side “weakens” when they make changes.

“They will need four or five players,” he said. “It is easy to roll off your tongue and say a team need players. Manchester United need players. Manchester City need players.

It is getting the right players and the right characters so that if they ever get into this position again and have a few injuries, they have quality to come in.

“We talk about Manchester City making changes today but they brought in pure quality. The team did not weaken. When Arsenal make changes, the team weakens.