Former England captain Wayne Rooney believes Manchester City have a mental edge over Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
League leaders Arsenal are currently nine points ahead, though they have played two more matches. They are set to face City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Speaking on his show, Rooney said City’s experience in winning titles and the presence of manager Pep Guardiola give them an advantage.
He said City’s players are more used to handling pressure and can stay calmer in crucial moments compared to Arsenal’s squad.
Rooney also warned that losing a few matches can affect a team’s confidence, creating doubts about scoring goals and winning games, which can impact overall performance.
City boosted their chances with a 3-0 win over Chelsea, while Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth.
According to Rooney, the outcome of Sunday’s clash could play a key role in deciding the title, with the winner likely to become favourites.
He added that a draw would still be a positive result for Arsenal, but suggested they may need to adopt a more defensive and disciplined approach under manager Mikel Arteta.
Rooney said Arsenal must remain compact, avoid leaving gaps and look to hit City on the counter-attack, stressing that they need to be resilient to stop City from scoring.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have dropped into the relegation zone after a defeat to Sunderland and a win for West Ham over Wolves.
Rooney described Spurs’ recent performance as lacking intensity, saying they failed to benefit from a fresh start under new coach Roberto De Zerbi.
He said the team appeared uncertain in their approach and needs quick improvement.
Rooney warned that relegation would be a major setback for the club, adding that some players might consider leaving if that happens.
He also cautioned that failing to return to the Premier League immediately would create serious long-term problems.
Tottenham are still searching for their first league win of 2026 and will face Brighton at home next.
Rooney said ending their winless run is crucial to rebuilding confidence, as continued poor results will make the situation even more difficult.
Source: BBC