Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has defended Arsenal and Mikel Arteta as the Gunners face increased criticism in their Premier League title push.

Wayne Rooney has urged Mikel Arteta to ignore criticism directed at Arsenal’s playing style. The former England striker believes the scrutiny is unfair given the club’s strong position in the Premier League title race.

Arsenal remain in contention for the quadruple this season and recently progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over Mansfield Town F.C. At the same time, the Gunners sit seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table ahead of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand.

Despite their success, Arsenal’s tactical approach has been criticised by several figures in football. Former manager Alan Pardew recently described their performances as functional and suggested that accusations of time-wasting could place an asterisk next to any potential league title.

Rooney, however, dismissed those criticisms during an appearance on the BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show. He argued that teams competing for a title should focus solely on winning matches rather than worrying about external opinions regarding their style of play.

The former Manchester United striker pointed out that even championship-winning teams are not always remembered for spectacular performances. In his view, Arsenal’s current position at the top of the table proves their approach is working effectively.

Criticism has also come from Fabian Hürzeler, whose side Brighton & Hove Albion recently lost 1-0 to Arsenal. Hürzeler suggested that the Gunners sometimes appear to be “making their own rules” during matches.

Rooney also defended Arsenal’s physical approach at set pieces, insisting it remains part of the game. He argued that if opponents and referees cannot stop those tactics, there is no reason for Arteta’s team to change a strategy that continues to deliver results.