Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has given a candid reaction to Theo Walcott’s comparisons to Arsenal as the two retired footballers discussed Mikel Arteta’s side inside the San Siro.
Wayne Rooney left Theo Walcott speechless (Image: )
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has hit out at former Arsenal star Theo Walcott, insisting that United’s 2008 team would “beat” Mikel Arteta’s current ability. The Gunners currently sit at the top of the Premier League, seven points behind nearest rivals Manchester City, and are also top of the Champions League.
Arsenal are currently regarded as the best team in English football and have been favorites to win the top flight title for two decades. The Gunners are also one of the favorites to win the Champions League trophy and are unbeaten in Europe so far this season.
However, Arteta’s side are yet to win anything this season, despite still being able to produce an impressive quadruple.
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Rooney’s United team won the Premier League title, Community Shield and Champions League in 2007-2008.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored an incredible 42 goals in all competitions, 31 of which came in the Premier League.
Former Gunners star Walcott admitted United were the best team he had played against in his career, but asked Rooney how they compared.
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Walcott told Amazon Prime: “It kind of flipped, right? Would your team in 2008 compete – well, you would compete with this team (Arsenal) – but how would it compare to your team in 2008, which was probably the best team I’ve ever played against?”
“Compared to that team, this team is.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Image: (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
Rooney brutally replied, “Oh, we’ll beat them.” To Walcott’s stunned reaction, Rooney added: “I think it will happen. I have to be honest.”
Rooney himself played 39 games in all competitions for United that season, scoring an astonishing 18 goals.
As for Arteta, he made his demands clear to his players ahead of the match against Inter Milan and knew he needed to make the most of the opportunity his team had in Italy.
His players clearly listened to him as they won 3-1. Gabriel Jesus’ brace and Victor Gokeres’ third ensured Arsenal would finish in the top two.
