Wayne Rooney reckons Mikel Arteta ‘panicked’ during Arsenal’s 3-2 home loss to Manchester United on Sunday.
Lisandro Martinez’s own goal gave Arsenal the lead, but goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu put them behind. Just before the hour mark, Arteta made four changes in an attempt to turn the tide of the match.
However, Matheus Cunha’s spectacular goal in the final moments gave United the three points despite Mikel Merino’s late equalizer.
According to ESPN, former United and England forward Rooney criticized Arteta’s decision to make numerous changes in the second half as well as Arsenal’s tactics in the loss.
What Rooney Said
“I think there was a panic,” Rooney began.
“I think Arteta is brilliant and I’ve praised him a lot but I think he panicked after Man United went 2-1 up and to make four changes at once.
“Think he’s panicked and rushed those changes, rather than let Arsenal try and get back into the game with the players they had on the pitch, and it didn’t pay off.
See Also: Amad Shades Arsenal With ‘Only Hope’ Dig Following Man United Win
“You can see the closer it gets to the end of the season, it’s going to be a challenge, a real challenge, Arsenal in my opinion are still favourites to win the league but I don’t think they’re going to have it all their own way.”
Arsenal added forward talents like Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke in the summer, but Rooney doesn’t think Arteta’s top players have performed well enough this season.
“Any team who’s top of the Premier League or trying to win the league, we used to have it at United, teams will sit back on you all the time, and make it difficult for you,” he said.
“That’s why your star players, they are the players who need to find space and these pockets of space and know how to play in those tight areas which I think Arsenal have struggled this season a little bit.
“Yes they have scored from a set-piece [against Man United] but that’s still part of the game, a big part of the game, I don’t think that’s an issue for them.”
COMMENTS