Winning the Premier League Might Be Now or Never for Arteta – Rooney

Wayne Rooney believes Mikel Arteta is running out of time to turn Arsenal’s progress into silverware, insisting the Spaniard will be expected to finally deliver the Premier League this season.

Speaking after Arsenal’s narrow 1–0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, the former Manchester United striker suggested that the pressure has shifted from the club to the manager himself.

“Maybe not for Arsenal as a whole, but for Arteta, yes,” Rooney explained on The Wayne Rooney Show. “He’s had the backing, he’s signed the players he wanted, and the club has spent heavily. 

At some point, the fans and the board will demand more than just progress. This feels like the year where he has to prove it.”

Is Liverpool still the benchmark

While praising Arteta’s work at Arsenal, Rooney was quick to remind listeners that Liverpool remain the team to beat. He pointed to their ability to grind out results even when not at their best, a trait he feels sets them apart.

“Liverpool know how to win,” he said. “They’ve lifted the league before, and you can see that experience in the way they handle tight games. That’s what champions do, stay in the game and take their chance when it comes.”

Sunday’s match was settled by a brilliant free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai, but Rooney felt Arsenal had themselves to blame. According to him, Arteta’s side lacked courage at Anfield and missed an opportunity to make a statement.

“If Arsenal had been a little braver, taken the game to Liverpool more, they could have won it,” he added. “Instead, they seemed focused on not losing. That’s a chance wasted.”

It is  a personal Anfield connection

Rooney’s comments also carried the weight of personal experience. Born in Liverpool and raised as an Everton fan, he admitted that stepping into Anfield always brought out strong emotions during his playing career.

“I hated going there,” he said. “The fear of losing at Anfield was horrible, it got to me emotionally. Sir Alex Ferguson even left me out of some games there because he knew how much it affected me.”

Despite those struggles, Rooney admitted that victories over Liverpool always felt extra special. “I never liked them as an Everton fan, and then as a United player. Beating them was one of the best feelings in football.”

Since taking charge in 2019, Arteta has transformed Arsenal into serious contenders again, leading them back into the Champions League and instilling belief in a young squad. But Rooney’s assessment is clear: this season could define his reign.

“He’s done a lot of good things,” Rooney concluded. “But now it’s about winning. Arsenal fans won’t settle for nearly anymore. For Arteta, this might be the season where it’s now or never.