Arsenal have cemented their place at the top of the Premier League, with Wayne Rooney warning Mikel Arteta he could get the chop if he doesn’t bring the title to the table from here.
Wayne Rooney has admitted that if Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were to relinquish the Premier League title given their current position, “there would probably be a change of manager”.
The Gunners extended their lead at the top of the table with victory over Crystal Palace at the weekend, but their rivals were left stranded elsewhere. The win at Emirates was their fourth win on the bounce and cemented their place in the top spot for the first time in nine games.
They bounced back from some early criticism and looked to be champions in name only, thanks to their overall quality, defensive solidity and set-piece ability. Elsewhere, Liverpool have lost four on the spin, with Manchester City unable to find the consistency they need.
Arteta has been in the job since the end of 2019 and the FA Cup is the only place to show his efforts. He spent millions of dollars and received support again in the summer. All of this means there is pressure on him to get the job done, and with the team at the top of the table, Rooney insists that if he can’t get the job done, changes need to be made.
He said on his podcast: “They have a good team and good players. Mikel Arteta was waiting and they came very close. They have accumulated very good points in some seasons and in any other year it would have been enough to win the title.”
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“Arteta has now got a team that is really expected to win the league. They keep producing, they’re physical, they have attacking players and they’re very solid at the back. They’re favorites to win. They’ve been at the top before, but they haven’t won it. That’s the pressure. Can they get to the top of the league and stay there?”
“I think they can do it. I think the team is good enough now and has had the experience to come close to it, but I think they’re ready for it and I think they’re ready for it. There’s no excuses now, no excuses. If we don’t win now, we’ll probably see a change of manager.”
Arteta’s doubters are often quick to point out his trophy haul and the minimal return on the huge investment he has made. Despite being serial challengers, Arsenal have struggled to get over the line, finishing second for the third year in a row.
They were top of the table in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, but City came back late on both occasions.
Arsenal have not won the Premier League title since their invincible season over 20 years ago, but many are suggesting they may finally end their wait.
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