The Sunderland manager admits he is still angry at the way his side flopped at Bolton, turning in a poor performance and losing 2-0 in the Black Cats' first game after securing safety.

And he is looking for them to respond against the Gunners in the final game of the season on Sunday in front of a full house at the Stadium of Light.

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He said: "You're only as good as your last game, and last weekend's game certainly wasn't good enough.

"Was I was too critical of the players last week? Maybe I was, but I've defended them enough times this season.

"The performance at Bolton was not good enough.

"And the feelings I had straight after the game still haven't left me. I'm still pretty angry about it.

"But now we have to get refocused for the game on Sunday. It's another game and another challenge against a brilliant Arsenal team.

"Fortunately, we're not depending on getting a result for survival!

"But let's try and finish the season strongly, because if you finish the season poorly it puts you in bad form for the summer."

During his days as skipper at Manchester United, the titanic battles against the Gunners used to be among the highlights of the season for Keane.

His tussles with Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira, in particular, were the stuff of legend.

But Keane has nothing but respect for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

He said: "I've never had any personal battles with Arsene Wenger - but I've had a few battles with his players!

"When we were down there earlier in the season, Arsene and his assistant Pat Rice were absolutely brilliant to us and treated us fantastically well, which was very pleasing.

"But then managers always do treat you well when they've beaten you!"

Wenger consistently produces sides that play some of the very best football in the Premiership and his youthful squad topped the table for a long time this season before falling away in the final weeks.

They were also knocked out of the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the semi-finals of the Carling Cup and the fifth round of the FA Cup, meaning that for a third year running there is no silverware for the Gunners.

Keane reflected: "Arsenal play some outstanding football, without a doubt, but it's a balancing act because I'm sure Arsene Wenger will want to be winning more trophies, as he has done over the years.

"They are an absolutely brilliant team to watch, but at the level they are at they want to be adding trophies too.

"We're looking forward to the challenge of playing Arsenal on Sunday.

"As a player I used to love playing against them, and I feel no different as a manager."

Keane is without Dickson Etuhu and Phil Bardsley, who are both recovering from knee operations, but otherwise has a full squad to pick from.

Jonny Evans missed a few days' training earlier in the week with an ankle problem, but was back in action on Wednesday and is expected to be fit.

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