Roy Keane has slammed ‘very slow’ Arsenal defender Rob Holding and feels he is the weak link for the Gunners.
Holding, 27, has played the last two games in 4-1 victories over Crystal Palace and Leeds United in place of injured centre-back William Saliba.
But with the Gunners taking on a bigger challenge as they face Liverpool at Anfield, Keane feels Jurgen Klopp’s men will target the Englishman.
Arsenal headed into the game eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table as they look to win their first title since 2004.
‘Rob Holding doesn’t play regularly and there’s a reason for that,’ Keane told Sky Sports. ‘There are better players in his position at the club.
‘I’m not his biggest fan, there’s no doubt he’s an honest pro but I worry at this level about his real lack of pace.
‘Sometimes he gets too tight to people so if you’re Liverpool, you’ll be looking at that area thinking they’re vulnerable. On the turn, he’s very slow.
‘In terms of quick play around his feet, he is short at this level.’
Keane does, however, feel Arsenal will go on to win the league if they can leave Anfield with all three points.
‘If Arsenal won today it would make them outstanding favourites to go on and win the title,’ Keane added.
‘But it’s a big ‘if’. As poor as Liverpool have been, this is still a hard place to come and get a victory, particularly with Arsenal’s record here over the last few years.
‘It would be another huge statement. Arsenal have been outstanding all season, you want them to come with the same mindset – to win football matches – and if they can get a win it would be a huge three points for them.
‘This is where the season starts, over Easter weekend. This is crunch time coming up now. This is the test for Arsenal – the mental challenge. Can they deal with it?
‘Any question that’s been thrown at Arsenal they have dealt with it. They’ve had one or two setbacks, as you’d expect, but they’ve bounced back well. If they can get a victory today it would be a huge statement.’
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