Wayne Rooney has revealed his prediction for the ‘Premier League title decider’ between Manchester City and Arsenal next weekend.
The Gunners, chasing a first league title since 2004, missed the chance to go 12 points clear at the top of the table on Saturday, losing 2-1 at home to Bournemouth.
That was Arsenal’s third defeat in four games following a Carabao Cup final loss to Man City and a shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Southampton.
A disappointing weekend for Arsenal got even worse on Sunday as Man City thumped Chelsea 3-0 to move to within just six points of Mikel Arteta’s side.
With a game in hand and a home match against Arsenal next Sunday, the Premier League title is essentially in Manchester City’s hands.
Manchester United and England legend Rooney views that fixture as a ‘title decider’ and has backed Man City to beat Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
Asked whether the game was indeed a title decider, Rooney said on his BBC podcast: ‘Yeah, I think it will be.
‘It’s an important game and if City win if I make them favourites to win the league and if Arsenal win it it’s there’s for the taking. It probably is a title decider.’
Pressed for his prediction, Rooney added: ‘I think Man City will win, 1-0. It still won’t be done if that happens but it slightly gives City the advantage.’
Arsenal suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season either side of the international break.
They appeared to stop the rot in the Champions League, beating Sporting 1-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final tie, but suffered another blow against Bournemouth.
Asked why he believes Arsenal are struggling to get over the line, Rooney said: ‘I think it’s just the pressure of trying to win the Premier League.
‘We know how important experience is at this stage of the season and they’ve got quite a few players who haven’t won titles so that pressure does build up.
‘You have a couple of bad results and you start searching for answers and now they’re struggling to get out of it.
‘I still think Arsenal have a great chance to win the league but they’re starting to show signs that they’re cracking a little bit and Man City know how to win league titles.’
Gabriel Martinelli scored an injury-time equaliser as Arsenal drew 1-1 with Manchester City in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium back in September.
But the Carabao Cup final between the Premier League title rivals ended up being a one-sided affair, with Man City winning 2-0 to win the first trophy of the season.
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