Wayne Rooney says criticism of Arsenal is ‘very unfair’

FootballSports
10 Mar 2026 • 12:55 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Wayne Rooney has defended Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta against what he perceives as "very unfair" criticism regarding the Premier League leaders' playing style.
  • Arsenal, currently seven points clear at the top of the table, have faced scrutiny from figures like Alan Pardew and Fabian Hurzeler over their tactical approach and perceived time-wasting.
  • Rooney dismissed these criticisms on the Wayne Rooney Show, stating that a title-chasing team's sole focus should be winning games, regardless of how they play.
  • He argued that if opponents cannot deal with Arsenal's tactics, such as their physical approach to set pieces, the club should continue to employ them.
  • The former England captain emphasised that his defence was not due to favouritism but a belief that the criticism was unwarranted given Arsenal's success.

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