Man City will have ‘psychological edge’ over Arsenal in title showdown – Rooney

By Enitan Abdultawab

Wayne Rooney has said Manchester City will hold a psychological advantage over Arsenal in the Premier League title race, citing their experience and composure in crucial moments.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s decisive clash at the Etihad Stadium, the Manchester United legend noted that City’s familiarity with winning titles under Pep Guardiola will definitely give them a mental edge. He explained that Guardiola and his players are better equipped to stay calm under pressure compared to Arsenal’s squad.

“I think City will have the edge on that, just purely the manager and players they’ve got. They will be able to stay a little calmer than the Arsenal players,” said Rooney on his The Wayne Rooney Show.

“They will be worried because when you go on a run and lose a few games, you start thinking ‘Where’s the next goal, the next win going to come from?’ That negative mindset really has an impact on your performance.”

Guardiola’s men moved closer to league leaders Arsenal after they dismantled Chelsea at Stamford Bridge by three goals to nil. They now sit second with six points adrift of Arsenal with a game in hand, which is Sunday’s home hosting of Mikel Arteta’s men.

However, recent setbacks, including their defeat to Bournemouth, have raised concerns about their momentum, especially as City continue to chase fiercely.

Rooney described Sunday’s encounter as a potential “title decider,” suggesting the winner will likely become favourites for the league. He added that even a draw could be valuable for Arsenal but stressed that Arteta’s side must adopt a disciplined and resilient approach.

“Whether the fans like that type of football or not, they have to do anything to stop City winning. They need to be resilient enough to stop City from scoring,” he said.