Wayne Rooney, a five-time Premier League champion with Manchester United, has voiced a surprising critique of Arsenal’s current title challenge. He believes the pressure isn’t coming from the opposing teams, but from within the club itself.
Rooney was particularly baffled by comments made by Arsenal legend Martin Keown, who suggested a six-point lead was preferable to a nine-point advantage. He described Keown’s statement as a sign of “nerves” – a fragility that could ultimately derail Arsenal’s pursuit of their first Premier League title in over two decades.
“For me, what’s happening is the Arsenal fans and the ex-players coming out are actually killing them,” Rooney asserted. He argued that a silence from those connected to the club would be far more beneficial, allowing the team to focus without the weight of external expectations.
The Gunners, once poised with a seemingly comfortable nine-point lead, now find themselves just four points ahead of Manchester City with twelve games remaining. This narrowing gap has seemingly amplified anxieties amongst those associated with the club, a phenomenon Rooney finds counterproductive.
Despite the increased pressure and lack of a singular “superstar” player, Rooney remains confident in Arsenal’s ability to secure the championship. He points to their consistent performance over the past three years and their demonstrated capacity to win games, even without relying on one dominant individual.
“Arsenal haven’t got an absolutely world-class player, a superstar that they pin everything on, but what we’ve seen is they know how to win games,” Rooney explained. He believes their collective strength and tactical approach, guided by Mikel Arteta, will prove decisive.
Rooney specifically praised Arteta’s composure in handling media scrutiny, contrasting it with the apparent anxieties of figures like Keown. He believes Arteta is navigating the pressure brilliantly, while others connected to the club are inadvertently adding to it.
While acknowledging Manchester City’s continued threat, Rooney predicts Arsenal will ultimately prevail. He anticipates a close race, but believes Arsenal’s strength and Arteta’s leadership will be enough to see them through, preventing City from winning every remaining game and Arsenal from dropping crucial points.
Arsenal will quickly return to league action, facing Wolves before a pivotal north London derby against Tottenham. The coming weeks will undoubtedly test their resilience and Arteta’s ability to shield his team from the mounting pressure.
