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Wayne Rooney won five Premier Leagues at Man Utd (Picture: Getty)
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 first time since 2004 but have seen their lead over second-placed Manchester City cut to just four 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 could be ‘better’ for his former club now to have such a commanding lead in the title race.
‘I was thinking about the game the other day and you know if Arsenal’s lead goes to nine points the narrative will be that their champions,’ the three-time title winner said on talkSPORT.
‘I actually thought to myself, maybe it’s better if Man City win this game just to keep you real. I think six points instead of nine is healthier because the narrative of Arsenal not being strong enough.
‘If they go nine points clear, it’s theirs to lose again and we get all that propaganda to try and keep this story alive.’
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Arsenal legend Martin Keown (Picture: Getty)
Rooney was baffled by Keown’s title comments, however, and says the Arsenal legend is displaying ‘nerves’ that could harm the club’s title charge.
‘For me, what’s happening is the Arsenal fans and the ex-players coming out are actually killing them,’ Rooney said on The Overlap. ‘They should stay silent and let everyone else talk.
‘I heard Martin Keown on talkSPORT saying having a six-point lead is better 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 way he’s speaking with the media.
‘It’s other people connected to the club who are actually having more of an effect.’
Arsenal were close to boasting a nine-point lead over Man City but are just four 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 have so much quality, Arsenal,’ Rooney added. ‘I don’t think they have that superstar but they can win games and they’ve shown that over the last three years.
‘Arsenal haven’t got an absolutely world-class player, a superstar that they pin everything on, but what we’ve seen is they know how to win games.
‘Of course Man City can still win it. There’s still a third of the season left to go so anything can happen, but I think Arsenal will win it.
‘I think they’re too strong and powerful. I think they win it because of 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 in their last league game before thrashing Wigan Athletic 4-0 in the FA Cup at the weekend.
Arteta’s side return to Premier League action on Wednesday night against basement boys Wolves before a huge north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.
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