Wayne Rooney is known as one of Manchester United’s all-time leading scorers, but at the same time, he is also someone who always appears in various discussions because of his candid opinions.
As the Premier League enters its final phase, where every detail counts, the former footballer has made his usual high-profile opinion. If Arsenal want to beat Manchester City in a crucial title showdown this Sunday, April 19, they must be prepared to go beyond their usual style.
Rooney suggests ‘dirty play’
Arsenal lead the table with 70 points, followed by City with 61 points, but there are still games in hand. A win for the Gunners would seal the league title, while a win for City would see the race restart for good.
In this regard, ahead of Sunday’s match at the Etihad Stadium, the former England striker analyzed the challenges facing the London side in comments to The Wayne Rooney Show, saying that Pep Guardiola’s side have a “psychological advantage”.
“I think City have the advantage in that respect, purely just the manager and the players they have. They’ll be a little more calm than the Arsenal players. They’ll be anxious, because when you go up and lose a few games, you start thinking, ‘Where’s the next goal, where’s the next win?’ That negative mindset has a big impact on performance,” Rooney said.
The former Everton player suggested Mikel Arteta’s side may need to “play dirty” as Manchester City have repeatedly proven their ability to cope with pressure.
Rooney wasn’t referring to cheating, but rather making decisions on the field, such as disrupting the opponent’s rhythm, controlling the pace of the game, and competing with greater physical intensity. In other words, life will be difficult for the City.
“Regardless of whether the fans like that type of football or not, we have to do whatever it takes to stop City from winning. We need to be resilient enough to stop City from scoring,” he added.
The message is clear. To chase the title, Arsenal will not only need to rely on their talent, but will also need to draw on their adaptability and further individuality.
The match between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday 19th April will kick off at 11:30am ET at the Etihad Stadium and will be a crucial match that will decide the top spot in the Premier League.
