MX23RW : Thursday, November 14 16:21:42| >> :60:2001:2001:

Roy Keane: 'Arsenal lack characters, leaders'

Roy Keane: 'Arsenal lack characters'
© Offside
Roy Keane describes the soon-to-be-vacant Arsenal job as an enticing prospect for whoever takes over from Arsene Wenger following years of decline.

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane has claimed that Arsenal are no longer feared by opponents due to a lack of leaders and characters in their squad.

The Gunners are a fading force in the English game, facing back-to-back seasons outside of the top four following another disappointing domestic campaign this time around.

A failure to challenge for the Premier League title has cost Arsene Wenger his job, leaving Arsenal on the search for a new manager ahead of the 2018-19 season.

Keane believes that it is clear to see why the North Londoners are not the force of old, but has backed the next manager - whoever it may be - to come on board and sort out the problems.

"There are problems at Arsenal but it is still a great job and a lot of managers would love to manage Arsenal and get them back competing for league titles," he told ITV Sport. "In my time, we knew they were going to be the toughest games of the season.

"The Arsenal teams had a lot of power, pace, character, leaders and lots of quality. They were producing brilliant, winning football. You look at the Arsenal teams over the last few years, still a lot of pace but no characters or leaders so they are missing out on the top prizes."

Luis Enrique has emerged as the favourite to replace Wenger in the summer following praise from the Frenchman earlier this week.

ID:324422: cacheID:324422:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2387:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A shirt paying tribute to Arsene Wenger held by a supporter during the Premier League game between Arsenal and West Ham United on April 22, 2018
Read Next:
Vieira 'honoured' to be linked with Arsenal
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!