Arsenal secured a 2-1 win over Southampton on the final day of the season and were praised by Roy Keane, despite finishing 17 points behind Premier League champions Liverpool
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Roy Keane
Roy Keane spoke about Arsenal and Liverpool ahead of the final Premier League weekend
(Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Roy Keane was vindicated for praising Arsenal's mentality at the end of the season after they rounded off their campaign with a comeback victory over Southampton. The Gunners concluded the season on a high note with a 2-1 win, courtesy of Martin Odegaard's decisive strike.
Despite Arsenal wrapping up their third consecutive runner-up finish in the league and making it to the Champions League semi-finals, their accomplishments were somewhat eclipsed by a 17-point deficit behind Premier League winners Liverpool. However, Keane admitted to being impressed by the Gunners refusing to let their heads drop as the season came to a close.
Before the final matchday, former Manchester United star Keane lauded Arsenal's dogged determination, demonstrated by their dramatic comeback in their 2-2 draw with Liverpool earlier this month. However, the ex-United captain was not as complimentary about Liverpool's approach after becoming Premier League champions with a few games to spare.
"Credit to Arsenal, everyone is criticising them towards the end of the season, but they came back against Liverpool," Keane said on the Stick to Football podcast. "They're showing a bit of a fight and spirit.
"Liverpool have switched off – they're irritating me. It doesn't matter [that they've won the league], but the fringe players and the B team are coming in – what kind of message is that?
"I'm thinking come on – show a bit of class. Salah scores a goal and he's taking pictures [against Tottenham Hotspur] – the game's still on. Liven up a little bit!"
Martin Odegaard celebrates scoring for Arsenal
Martin Odegaard scored a late winner for Arsenal(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Keane's critical comments were proven right as Liverpool wrapped up their season with a 1-1 draw against FA Cup champions Crystal Palace. Mohamed Salah's late equaliser offset Ismaila Sarr's earlier score, sparing the Reds from a final day defeat at Anfield.
After securing the league title with a thumping 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last month, Liverpool's form dipped towards the finish line. The champions managed only two draws and suffered away defeats to Chelsea and Brighton in their final four matches. Manager Arne Slot opted for some squad rotation in these closing games, giving lesser-used players a chance to shine.
Liverpool's lukewarm conclusion to the campaign failed to put a damper on the festivities at Anfield on Sunday. Meanwhile, Arsenal capped off their season with a win, achieving an upbeat end to the campaign with a hard-fought draw with Liverpool and victories over Newcastle United and Southampton.
Reflecting on the win over Southampton and Arsenal's season overall, Arteta said: "I'm very happy to finish winning the match. We wanted to leave that dressing room at the end of the season with a positive energy, with a good vibe. We had to say goodbye as well to a few players that won't be with us next season, and that was quite emotional as well. I think they deserved their appreciation and a good vibe around it.
Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reflected on the season
"We've done it and now we're going to have plenty of time to think, to analyse what happened in the season, to learn from it for sure. To take all the incredible positive things that the team has done regarding the circumstances and think, 'Okay, how can we now go into that little percentage that is missing to get where we want?'"
As Arsenal turn their attention towards next season, Liverpool have already made early moves in the transfer market. The Merseyside club have agreed a deal for Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong and are in discussions over his teammate Florian Wirtz. Despite clinching the league title in his first year in charge, Liverpool boss Slot is anticipating a difficult battle to retain the Premier League trophy next season.
"We know it's going to be tough again, it was already very tough this season," Slot said. "It's going to be probably just as tough or even tougher next season because the clubs that we've competed with this season have always, in every window, always invested a lot of money and they're probably going to do so this summer as well."
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