Wayne Rooney has offered his support to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, saying the criticism of Arsenal’s current playing style is “very unfair” and should not prompt any change from the Premier League leaders. Rooney, one of the most decorated forwards in English football history, said that when a team is winning matches and competing at the top of the table, it is natural for opponents, pundits, and some supporters to scrutinise every aspect of its approach.
Rooney argued that styles of play in elite football constantly evolve, and that Arsenal’s methods under Arteta reflect both modern trends and the specific strengths of their squad. He noted that teams who dominate possession, press aggressively, or look to control the tempo of games will always draw criticism from those who prefer a more direct or traditional approach. In his view, that is part of the ongoing tactical debate that shapes the Premier League, rather than a sign that anything is wrong with Arsenal’s game plan.
The former Manchester United and Everton star suggested that if rivals are struggling to cope with Arsenal’s style, that is more a compliment than a concern. Instead of backing away from aspects of their play that have brought them to the top of the table, Rooney believes Arsenal should continue to lean into those strengths. He stressed that a team with genuine title ambitions cannot afford to be swayed by external commentary whenever its approach becomes a talking point.
Rooney also highlighted the importance of consistency and identity for a club with Arsenal’s expectations. Managers, he said, are judged over time on results, development of players, and the ability to build a clear footballing philosophy. In that context, sudden tactical changes made in response to outside noise rarely help. He pointed out that successful sides across Europe often face criticism for being too patient in possession, too aggressive in pressing, or too reliant on certain patterns of play, yet they continue to trust the process that made them successful in the first place.
By publicly backing Arteta, Rooney added his voice to those who believe Arsenal’s current approach is a legitimate and effective way to compete at the top of the Premier League. His message to the club and its supporters was simple: if opponents cannot live with Arsenal’s style, the solution is not to tone it down, but to keep doing what works and refine it further as the season progresses.
