Roy Keane reveals why he is 'worried about Arsenal's mentality'

Roy Keane has explained that he is 'worried about Arsenal's mentality' after the Gunners twice blew a lead against Liverpool in a thrilling clash at the Emirates.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring with a wonderfully composed finish but a defensive lapse during a corner allowed a Virgil van Dijk header to draw Arne Slot's side level.

Summer signing Mikel Merino then restored the Gunners' lead with just minutes of a pulsating first-half remaining, emphatically heading home a pinpoint Declan Rice cross.

But once again Mikel Arteta's men let Liverpool back into the contest, sitting back after Gabriel and Jakub Kiwior trudged off injured, and Darwin Nunez eventually found enough space to play Mohamed Salah in before the Egyptian gleefully slotted home. 

The result leaves Arsenal five points behind leaders Manchester City but a typically outspoken Keane believes the Gunners' problems run deeper than their deficit to Pep Guardiola's side.

He told Sky Sports: 'What came across in [Bukayo Saka's] interview was, he's disappointed, but I'm starting to worry about Arsenal's mentality now.

'When they get themselves in front, they sit back, instead of going after the third goal. Liverpool were there for the taking if they wanted it.

'You're watching them today and they're 2-1 up - whatever the circumstances or injuries. Can you go and, not take silly gambles, but take the initiative? 

'I really worry for their medical staff. Every time an Arsenal player is tackled they're going down, they're rolling around. They're time wasting.

'You're the home team you're 2-1 up, take the initiative, use the fans behind you because the fans were doing their best to get them over the line today.

'I just worry about that belief and mentality. Do they really have that belief and conviction that they're a top team and they can really challenge Man City? I still don't see it.' 

Keane also responded to former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott's remarks that a draw was not a bad result for the home side, given the second-half injuries to Gabriel and Kiwior.

'I think all the great managers are gamblers. They do want to go on and win games and sacrifice losing the odd game but I'm seeing with this Arsenal group there's still that element of, "we'll take the draw today" instead of sitting there and going, "we were 2-1 up".

'Too many draws won't win you any title. You're comparing them to a brilliant Man City team.'

The Irishman added that Arteta's outfit 'didn't believe in themselves' as they sacrificed three points at the hands of one of their main title rivals.

One of the game's key turning points occurred when centre-back Gabriel slumped to the ground in pain, in a scene ressembling many Arsenal fans' worst nightmare.

Much to their initial relief, the Brazilian was soon back on his feet after responding well to on-field treatment and was called into action as Liverpool ramped up the pressure. 

He was soon on his haunches once again, however, and this time there was no prospect of him continuing, and the defender was forced to walk dejectedly down the tunnel after he was replaced by Kiwior.

The knock appeared to come after a collision with Darwin Nunez seemed to jar Gabriel's left knee.

Gabriel was later spotted by the TV cameras on the substitutes bench with his knee heavily iced up.

To make matters worse, full-back Timber also went down with what appeared to be cramp leaving supporters at the Emirates shaking their heads in disbelief.

The Dutchman was a doubt before the game and, after twice slumping to the floor in agony, joined Gabriel in heading down the tunnel.

To show the extent of the crisis, 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly was called into action for the ultimate test of facing Mohamed Salah down the Liverpool right-hand side.

As a result, Arsenal gradually assumed a more defensive structure inviting pressure from Liverpool, who eventually reaped the rewards through the Egyptian's smart finish. 

The Gunners have dropped nine points already this season, finding themselves in third after nine matches, with a number of these from winning positions.

But today's stalemate marks the first time the north London side have dropped points this season without having a man sent off. 

Ahead just before half-time against Man City, a Leandro Trossard red card forced Arsenal to sit back for the second-half. Their resistance was finally broken in stoppage time by a John Stones equaliser.

They experienced similar frustrations against Brighton earlier in the campaign when a Rice sending off halted their momentum and allowed the Seagulls a way back into the game and eventually a leveller.