Key Takeaways
- Wayne Rooney says Emirates Stadium crowds must stop booing after poor results.
- Arsenal have five matches left and are only three points ahead of Manchester City.
- Former England captain urges fans to copy Manchester United supporters who back their side during bad spells.
Wayne Rooney believes Arsenal supporters can decide the title race if they stay positive instead of jeering their own players.
The former Manchester United and England skipper watched Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at City and claims the mood around the club is turning sour too quickly. He pointed to the full-time boos that followed the 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth on 11 April.
“The fans have to help,” Rooney said on his BBC show. “Arsenal have been top all season. One bad week and they get booed. That hurts confidence.”
City can leapfrog Mikel Arteta’s side with a mid-week win over Burnley. Arsenal still control their fate, but memories of last season’s collapse remain fresh. In 2022-23 they led the table for 248 days yet finished second.
Rooney compared the situation to Old Trafford, where he believes United fans kept singing even when results dipped under Erik ten Hag. “Support can push tired legs,” he added. “Arsenal need that now.”
The Gunners visit Wolves on Saturday before hosting Chelsea and Tottenham in a testing run-in. Rooney insists the 12th man must play his part. “Back the team and they can still win it,” he said.
