Rooney: Arteta must ignore 'very unfair' criticism of his Arsenal team

Wayne Rooney has urged Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to ignore the "very unfair" criticism of the Premier League leaders' style of play this season. 

Arsenal remain in contention for a potential quadruple after progressing to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last weekend with a 2-1 win over League One side Mansfield Town. 

The Gunners are also seven points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League, while a clash with Pep Guardiola's side in the EFL Cup awaits later this month. 

Arsenal are also preparing for the first leg of their last 16 tie with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, though their displays have been scrutinised this season. 

Following their 2-1 win over rivals Chelsea in their last league match, a lot was made of the way they earned the victory after relying on corner kicks to get over the line. 

Arsenal's 16 goals from corners in the Premier League this season is the joint-most by any side in a single campaign, alongside Oldham Athletic in 1992-93, West Brom in 2016-17, and the Gunners themselves in 2023-24.

Former Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew said that should Arsenal win the league, it should come with an asterisk given their style of play and time-wasting tactics, though Rooney leapt to the defence of Arteta and his team. 

"The last league title we won, we weren't great as a team, but no one is going back to that saying: 'Oh, that Man United team who won that last title weren't great," said Rooney. 

"I don't think they've been as bad as what people are saying, I really don't.

"I'm not saying this because I like Arsenal, I'm saying this because I think it's very unfair, the criticism they are receiving for being, what, seven points top of the league?

"If teams can't deal with it, do it more. That's what I'd be doing if I was Arteta.

"The focus is trying to win games in any way possible and when you're going for a title, I don't think you have to worry how anyone thinks about how you play, as long as you win."

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler also accused Arsenal of "making their own rules" following their 1-0 home defeat to Arteta's side last week.

It was Arsenal's 10th Premier League victory by a one-goal margin this season, which is their most after 30 games of a league campaign since 2011-12 (10).

They had just seven shots against Brighton, only having fewer in a game this season against Chelsea (five in February in the EFL Cup).

Indeed, the Gunners' expected goals (xG) total in that game of 0.43 was their outright lowest in a game across all competitions in 2025-26.

Rooney, when asked about Arsenal's physical approach to set pieces, added: "If the officials aren't going to do anything to stop that, and I don't even think it's a royal rumble. 

"If you're not clever enough or you haven't got the players who can deal with that, why would Arsenal not continue to do that?

"Teams are finding it difficult to stop it. It's part of the game, I love it, I think it's been great.

"I'm sure Arteta doesn't think this but they don't have to change anything because people are moaning and complaining about it."