Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney reckons Arsenal is finally ready to outlast Manchester City in the Premier League title race. In the last couple of seasons, Arsenal has been close to ending its Premier League title wait but hasn’t been able to get over the line.
After 25 matches, Arsenal have 56 points under their belt whereas second-placed Manchester City have 53 points but the latter has played one more game than the Gunners.
City and Arsenal will take on each other on April 18 and that match could prove to be the deciding factor in the Premier League title race.
“I think the Premier League title race was never off. I’ve been in title races where you do need to stay calm and a lot can change. I think there was one season where we were seven points clear with four games to go and lost the title that year on goal difference. We drew 4-4 in a game, then lost to Wigan, then lost to City, and then lost the title on goal difference. So a lot can happen,” Rooney said on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, which is hosted by former football manager Sam Allardyce and Natalie Pike.
“I think Arsenal look strong. Manchester City have been a bit in and out and you’ve obviously got great players, great manager. So they’re definitely still in the title race, but I think Arsenal look strong and consistent throughout the season. I think it’d be difficult to see them slipping up and Man City winning every game. So, I still think Arsenal are hot favorites,” Rooney added.
Rooney said he has been really impressed by head coach Mikel Arteta as the Spaniard has taken the onus on his shoulders and has clear communication with his players.
“I’ve been really impressed with Arteta this season. And obviously, over the last four or five seasons, they’ve added a certain level of consistency. After Arsenal lost to Manchester United recently, I was really impressed at how Arteta came out and spoke to the media and what he’d been saying to his players. I don’t think a year ago he would have come out with that calmness and almost put those losing games in the past, really. So, I think he’s learned from where they’ve been the last few years and not getting over the line, and I think this is his year to do that.
“And Arsenal players look strong too. We used to play against Arsenal and you knew you could bully them. You knew you could walk all over them at times. They’d be nice on the eye, but they wouldn’t be able to dig in, whereas now I think they’ve got that within the team. So I think it’ll be difficult to see City overtaking them this season.”
Arsenal will take on Brentford on Thursday.
