Roy Keane Declares Arsenal Favourites as Chelsea Collapse in Shock Leeds Defeat

Roy Keane fires up the debate as Arsenal title race momentum surges following Chelsea’s costly loss at Leeds United.

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has sent the Premier League world into a frenzy after declaring the title race “over” and naming Arsenal as champions-in-waiting. His explosive claim came shortly after Chelsea’s shock 3-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Leeds, a result that leaves the Blues nine points behind the league leaders.

Keane dropped the bombshell during a fiery episode of The Overlap alongside Gary Neville and Arsenal icon Ian Wright. As Neville challenged Wright to admit Arsenal must win the league this season, Keane cut in sharply: “The league is over. It’s over. The league is over.” The studio burst into laughter and disbelief, while Arsenal fans celebrated the long-awaited recognition of their dominance.

Buy Arsenal's 2025–26 Home Kit through the ArsenalTalks Shop

Click this link to buy the new 2025–26 Arsenal home kit through our ArsenalTalks Shop.

Keane’s comments arrived just hours after Arsenal’s composed 2-0 victory over Brentford, a win that restored their advantage at the top. Mikel Merino opened the scoring with a clinical 28th-minute finish, and Bukayo Saka wrapped up the points after the hour mark.

The performance highlighted Arsenal’s elite defensive structure, having conceded only seven goals all season, and their growing maturity in high-pressure fixtures. It served as yet another reminder of why the momentum in the Arsenal title race is still growing.

Chelsea Collapse at Leeds Exposes Deep Problems

While Arsenal marched forward, Chelsea suffered one of their most damaging defeats of the season. Leeds United, battling near the bottom of the table, delivered a ruthless 3-1 blow. Mateo Joseph scored twice, Wilfried Gnonto added another, and Chelsea’s defensive issues were exposed yet again.

Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez endured a nightmare evening, with glaring errors contributing to the chaos. Chelsea’s third loss in six league games dropped them to fourth place and ended their title hopes.

On Sky Sports, Neville did not hold back in his post-match assessment. “I don’t think they can win the title. They’ve got no chance,” he said. Neville outlined key weaknesses at goalkeeper, centre-back, and centre-forward—issues exacerbated by Chelsea’s inconsistency and 18 goals conceded already.

Arsenal Fans Embrace Keane’s Stunning Verdict

With Arsenal now nine points ahead of Manchester City and further clear of Liverpool and Chelsea, Keane’s emphatic endorsement has electrified the fanbase. Clips of the moment have gone viral, with Arsenal supporters embracing the pundit’s unexpected support.

Arsenal’s blend of youth and experience—Saka’s brilliance, Declan Rice’s leadership, and William Saliba’s commanding defending—has transformed Arteta’s squad into genuine frontrunners. Only the legendary Invincibles have lifted the title in the last two decades, but the mood around the Emirates suggests this season could change everything.

As the winter fixtures approach, Arsenal’s challenge is to maintain their momentum and navigate the relentless schedule. Even though Keane said the race was over, nothing in football is decided until the last whistle blows.

Want more Arsenal updates? Visit our homepage.