Wayne Rooney has accused ‘people connected to Arsenal’ of ‘killing’ the club’s Premier League title charge.
Arsenal are bidding to win the league title for the primary time since 2004 but have seen their lead over second-placed Manchester City cut to only 4 points in recent weeks.
Rooney, who won five Premier Leagues at Manchester United, still believes Arsenal will lift the trophy but believes their title charge is being harmed by ‘people connected to the club’.
Speaking after Man City’s incredible comeback win at Liverpool earlier this month, Arsenal legend Martin Keown claimed it may very well be ‘higher’ for his former club now to have such a commanding lead within the title race.
‘I used to be fascinated by the sport the opposite day and you understand if Arsenal’s lead goes to nine points the narrative can be that their champions,’ the three-time title winner said on talkSPORT.
‘I actually thought to myself, possibly it’s higher if Man City win this game just to maintain you real. I feel six points as an alternative of nine is healthier since the narrative of Arsenal not being strong enough.
‘In the event that they go nine points clear, it’s theirs to lose again and we get all that propaganda to try to keep this story alive.’
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Rooney was baffled by Keown’s title comments, nonetheless, and says the Arsenal legend is displaying ‘nerves’ that would harm the club’s title charge.
‘For me, what’s happening is the Arsenal fans and the ex-players coming out are literally killing them,’ Rooney said on The Overlap. ‘They need to stay silent and let everyone else talk.
‘I heard Martin Keown on talkSPORT saying having a six-point lead is healthier than nine. What are you talking about?!
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‘That’s an experienced [former] player who’s getting nervous. I actually think Mikel Arteta is handling it brilliantly with the best way he’s speaking with the media.
‘It’s other people connected to the club who are literally having more of an effect.’
Arsenal were near boasting a nine-point lead over Man City but are only 4 points clear with 12 games remaining.
Rooney believes the Gunners will go on to secure their first Premier League title in 22 years despite lacking a ‘superstar’ player.
‘They’ve a lot quality, Arsenal,’ Rooney added. ‘I don’t think they’ve that superstar but they’ll win games and so they’ve shown that over the past three years.
‘Arsenal haven’t got a completely world-class player, a superstar that they pin all the pieces on, but what we’ve seen is that they know easy methods to win games.
‘In fact Man City can still win it. There’s still a 3rd of the season left to go so anything can occur, but I feel Arsenal will win it.
‘I feel they’re too strong and powerful. I feel they win it due to Mikel Arteta, he’s shown the pressure in previous years but he’s handling it spot on this season.
‘Man City will run them close but I just can’t see them winning every game and Arsenal dropping that many points.’
Arsenal dropped points at Brentford of their last league game before thrashing Wigan Athletic 4-0 within the FA Cup on the weekend.
Arteta’s side return to Premier League motion on Wednesday night against basement boys Wolves before an enormous north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.
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