Piers Morgan savages Arsenal over ‘choking’ in title race as Roy Keane admits: ‘It was brilliant’

Roy Keane claims Arsenal have simply run out of steam in the title race after reflecting on their 3-0 home defeat to Brighton – but their performance has seen TV personality Piers Morgan launch into a furious tirade.

The Gunners have enjoyed an excellent campaign, leading the way for most of the season. Having performed massively over expectations, they had a nine-point lead in mid-February as belief began to grow that their 19-year drought would end.

However, Manchester City are a relentless machine and refused to leave Arsenal’s coattails. And two wins over the Gunners in the closing stages of the season set the tone for Pep Guardiola’s side to overhaul them in the race.

After City recorded a 3-0 win at Everton earlier on Sunday, it was left for Arsenal to respond at home to Roberto De Zerbi’s side. However, a stunning 3-0 home loss caught everyone off guard and left City just one win from retaining their crown.

After the game, Mikel Arteta admitted he found their title surrender hard to take. However, plans for next season are already underway with the Gunners at least sealing a place back in the Champions League for the first time since 2017.

Perhaps surprisingly, their defeat to Brighton – and the way they crumbled late in the season – earned some sympathy from Roy Keane.

And the Manchester United icon, speaking to Sky Sports, claims what has happened to Arsenal is ‘brutal’.

However, the pundit is admits there is no hiding place and it was just a classic case of Arsenal coming up short.

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Roy Keane on Arsenal title collapse

Following the 3-0 home hammering, Keane stated:  “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.”

Piers Morgan goes in hard on Arsenal

While Keane offered a honest appraisal on their season, the same could not be said for Morgan.

The TV personality and journalist absolutely savaged the Gunners for the way their season has crumbled.

And offering his thoughts on social media immediately after the 3-0 defeat, Morgan did not hold back.

Reflecting on their title crumbling he stated: “All over. Totally outplayed by a team that just lost 1-5 to Everton.

“A horribly lacklustre, passion-devoid, spiritless, pathetic performance that cements an inexplicably dismal run-in to a season which promised so much. Bottom line: we choked. #afc”

Arsenal’s loss earned some kinder words from club icon Patrick Vieira.

“I’m really sorry to say that but I think it’ll be impossible for City to let that go now,” the Frenchman said. “It was a must-win game for Arsenal and today they didn’t play the game that we were waiting.

“There was a lack of energy and it looked like the result of City killed their legs because today they didn’t do enough to win the game.”

Micah Richards added: “Obviously it’s a good feeling for Manchester City. We talked before about putting on the pressure. City applied that pressure and Arsenal had to turn up, and they didn’t turn up on the day. We talked about nerves, we talked about running, and I was disappointed in Arsenal today because from minute one it was like it was a pre-season friendly.

“Credit to Brighton, they was outstanding, they got their tactics spot on today in terms of stopping the flow of what Arsenal wanted to do. From City’s point of view obviously very happy. But for Arsenal, I thought they could have given a little bit more today.”

Arsenal’s season ends with a trip to Nottingham Forest next weekend before a home date with Wolves on Sunday May 28.

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