Rooney's Sharp Warning to Arteta: Arsenal's Title Hopes Hang in the Balance
9 February 2026
Rooney's warning to Arteta
Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United legend, believes Mikel Arteta could pay a heavy price if Arsenal fail to lift the Premier League this season.
Arsenal currently sit six points clear at the top, with Manchester City sharpening the chase. Rooney notes that the Gunners look the frontrunners to end their league title drought, which stretches back to 2004.
He warned that failure to win the trophy could trigger increased pressure from Arsenal's hierarchy on Arteta's future.
Rooney highlighted Manchester City's dramatic late comeback against Liverpool, a 2-1 win that flipped the game with 16 minutes to go, illustrating how quickly momentum can swing in a title race.
He argued that such swings complicate Arteta's task and will amplify expectations if City close the gap.
Rooney added that focusing on one's own results is essential; "the only thing that matters is winning your matches," not obsessing over rivals' scores.
Rooney closed by saying Arsenal's players will be watching upcoming fixtures and calculating potential points, but the core message remains: win games.
Punchline 1: If Arteta cannot win the title, perhaps Rooney should be hired as a motivational speaker; he is known for delivering warning shots with a smile.
Punchline 2: And remember, in football as in life, chasing the table too hard can leave you with a trophy shaped stress ball rather than a trophy.
