Wayne Rooney has admitted he wants Arsenal to win the Premier League, adding that he’s a fan of manager Mikel Arteta.
Wayne Rooney has never been the biggest fan of Arsenal Football Club, and that hasn’t changed. Speaking to the BBC this week, Rooney insisted he still doesn’t like the Gunners, but he added that he wants them to win the Premier League this season.
“I don’t like Arsenal but I would much rather them win the league than Liverpool,” Rooney said.
“I like what they’re doing, they’re figuring it out, they’re finding a way. They’re being difficult to beat, they don’t concede many goals, and I just think there’s something happening.”
Rooney added that part of the reason he wants Arsenal to lift the Premier League trophy this season is for Mikel Arteta, having grown to like the Arsenal boss during one-on-one conversations.
“I really hope they do [win the league] because I really like Arteta as well,” Rooney added. “He’s a bit mad in all his methods, but I was lucky enough to have sat down and have a chat with him at times and I really like him. So I hope they do.
“This is a different Arsenal, I think their mentality is good. I think they are a strong-minded team, they’ve got good characters in there.”
Arsenal have made a good start to the season with four wins, one draw, and one defeat, but they sit second in the table behind Liverpool with five wins and one loss.
Manchester City are also lurking, bouncing back from a mixed August to win all but one of their games in September so far – the one against Arsenal.
It’s shaping up to be another tight title race, with other clubs also capable of mounting challenges.
It’s hard to say exactly how long Crystal Palace’s current form can last, but they remain unbeaten and just one point behind Arsenal at this stage, having won the FA Cup the Community Shield earlier this year.
But with Manchester United still floundering down in 14th, Rooney has evidently decided Arsenal are the best of the available realistic contenders.