March 5th 2025.
In anticipation of Arsenal's highly anticipated Champions League match against PSV, Wayne Rooney sat down to discuss the Gunners' current state with manager Mikel Arteta at the helm. Rooney, who had a storied career with Manchester United and the English national team, revealed what he believed to be the biggest mistake made by Arteta during his time as Arsenal manager.
It's been a tough few years for Arsenal, as they have failed to secure a trophy under Arteta's leadership. Despite challenging for the Premier League title in the past, they have fallen short, finishing just behind Manchester City's record-breaking squad. This season looks to be no different, with Arsenal currently sitting 13 points behind league champions Liverpool.
Many have pointed to Arsenal's lack of a top striker as the reason for their struggles, particularly after they failed to make a signing during the January transfer window. However, Rooney believes that the biggest mistake was actually made last summer, when they also failed to secure a top striker. He explained that it's always difficult to make signings in January, and the priority position for Arsenal should have been a No. 9 striker.
Rooney's sentiments were echoed by Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer, who questioned the decision-makers at Arsenal and their failure to secure a striker last summer. He believes that a top striker could have made all the difference in their title pursuits. This lack of firepower has been evident in recent weeks, with Arsenal suffering losses to West Ham and dropping points to Nottingham Forest.
However, their performance in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against PSV was a different story. Arsenal dominated the match, coming out on top with an impressive 7-1 victory. Shearer described it as a night that doesn't come around often in Champions League football, and former Premier League striker Chris Sutton labeled it as "excellence in Eindhoven."
The victory has given Arsenal a great boost of confidence, and it seems that the second leg will be a mere formality for them. They just need to show up and get the job done. This will undoubtedly give them the momentum they need for the rest of the season. Overall, it seems that Arsenal's failure to secure a top striker has been their downfall, but it's not too late for them to turn things around and make a strong finish.
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