Roy Keane wanted to see more from Arsenal in their 1-0 FA Cup fourth round defeat to Manchester City on Friday night.
The former Manchester United captain admitted that he was ‘expecting a bit more’ from the side five points clear at the top of the Premier League, as they came unstuck in their first meeting against City this season.
Nathan Ake’s fantastic finish in the second half condemned the Gunners to defeat, despite the efforts of Leandro Trossard on his full debut, as City drew first blood in the tussle for dominance in England.
Roy Keane admitted he was left disappointed by Arsenal after their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City
Keane felt that there was more to come from Arsenal, who had to react after going a goal down to City, but were unable to draw level again and force the replay at the Emirates.
‘They’ve set such high standards over the last few months,’ Keane began. ‘I thought we’d get more from Arsenal tonight, I’m disappointed.
‘We saw the experience of the last few years, how to win games. One lapse from Arsenal and they were punished.
Mikel Arteta made six changes to his starting line-up as well as five substitutions in the game
‘There is more to come from City but it’s about getting the job done in the cup.’
The Gunners had created opportunities in the opening period, with Trossard, Eddie Nketiah and Takehiro Tomiyasu all coming close.
But they struggled to make inroads against a resolute City defence in the second half as they chased the game.
Mikel Arteta had made six changes to the starting XI, and continued to tinker with his side throughout the game as he made all five changes available to him.
Keane suggested that Arsenal needed more if they were to beat Man City in their back yard
Leandro Trossard impressed on his full debut
Having left several of his stars on the bench, Arteta called upon Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko in the second half.
Yet his side were unable to create chances with the free-flowing regularity that they have showed at times this season.
‘They had to react, they were going out the cup,’ the former Irish international continued. ‘We were expecting a bit more, but they showed glimpses.
‘Brilliant defending, a little bit of luck, but you need more than that to beat Man City.’
Arsenal will have a chance to inflict some revenge on City, though, with the two sides set to face off in the league on February 15, with the Gunners five points clear of City in the race for the title.
Nathan Ake scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal were defeated away at the Etihad