RK: United Will Win The League
Times: Arsenal yesterday reclaimed top spot in the Barclays Premier League from Manchester United - giving the top of the division a distinctly pre-José Mourinho feel – but Roy Keane, the Sunderland manager, has a hunch the positions will be reversed come the end of the season. Having trailed 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, Keane’s side recovered to 2-2 before losing to a winning goal in the 80th minute from Robin van Persie.
While Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, hailed a “good lesson” for his young team, Keane is backing United, his former club, to dismiss Arsenal’s challenge and collect consecutive championships. “It’s shaping up to be the same old title race, but I’d still take United at the end of it,” the Irishman said. “I think they’ll have the edge, but that’s just my opinion. It’s nothing to do with the results over the weekend, I just think United are a touch ahead.”
At times yesterday, Arsenal were scintillating. They have mustered ten victories in succession, eclipsing their nine-game winning streak during the “Invincibles” season of 2003-04 – when they completed the campaign unbeaten – and Wenger believes they will be stronger for withstanding Sunderland’s rugged and impressive comeback. “After going through that experience, I hope when we are 2-0 up again they will remember it,” he said.
Leading 2-0 through Van Persie and Philippe Senderos, Arsenal had a perfectly good goal from Abou Diaby ruled offside – “I don’t know how you could disallow that,” Wenger said – and slipped into complacency. “Part or our mental focus went and when that happens you pay for it,” the manager said. “There was less urgency in our decision-making. But we’re maturing.”
Sunderland have won only once in their past eight league matches, but Keane found solace in the resilience of his players. “When you start poorly like that you’re not wondering who’s going to win, but how many it’s going to be,” he said, “but I’m not shocked and surprised that we came back and fought. You’re judged by your actions and the players keep doing it.
“I’ve been saying for months that getting promoted was the easy part. The next step, turning performances into results, will be the biggest one. It’s my job to make sure we’re competitive, hold our own and try to build this club.”
Paul McShane, the Sunderland and Ireland defender, was dismissed in the 90th minute for a lunge on Alexander Hleb. “The referee was quick to get his card out, but I’m not disputing the decision and Paul will be disciplined if he’s out of order,” Keane said. “We’ll judge it when we look at the video.”
