The Arsenal and England international Jack Wilshere has seen at first hand over the last couple of weeks just how much of a threat the England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney can be to Arsenal when Louis van Gaal brings his squad, or the ones left standing anyway, to the Emirates on Saturday.
And that is why Wilshere has warned his Gunners team mates that stopping Rooney is the key to Arsenal recording a rare and vital victory over the Red Devils. In an ESPN report, Wilshere praises his international team mate and captain highly, but all the same things that are good news for England, are bad news for the Gunners if we fail to deal with them properly at the weekend.
Jack said, “He looks sharp and in form. We’ll have to look at how to deal with that on Saturday because he’s going to be a problem for us, especially if he plays in the No.10 role. Or even if he plays up front.
“He’s got a few goals this international break and I’m sure he’ll be looking to continue that so we’ll have to stop him.
“The main thing about ‘Wazza’ is his love for the game. He still has that hunger. He’s been playing now for 12 years at the top level and to still have that hunger and the quality that matters, he’s still one of our best players if not the best.
“You can see that when we go into games, we’re looking to him to get the goals and he’s still delivering.
“He loves training. He’s always the first out for training. He’s just a proper footballer. He’s never in the gym, he just wants to play the game because he loves it. He just wants the ball at his feet and long may that continue for England.”
But we should not forget that although Rooney scored in both of the England games and was a key figure, it was our midfielder that was voted Man of the Match both times and it was Jack’s control of the midfield and his passing and bursting forward that allowed Rooney to flourish. And Danny Welbeck scored another two of England’s goals, with Chamberlain getting the third, so there is plenty of quality in the Arsenal side.
And apart from Rooney, United’s attacking players are not in great form, even assuming that Di Maria recovers from his knock and can start. Mata, van Persie, Januzaj and Fellaini are all struggling for form and confidence at the minute, while their manager is struggling to find a system or even 11 players that will work for him.
So Jack is right to identify Rooney as the key to winning this game for Arsenal. And as Wilshere knows him so well from the England set up, surely he should start in the centre of midfield and be detailed to snuff out any danger from the United forward. What do you think Gooners?
Stop every United player from scoring.
I fear di Maria, Mata and Falcao and RVP more than Rooney. Our defense needs to play well.
Debuchy (or Bellerin)= RB
Mertsacker and Chambers = CBs
Gibbs = LB
It would be awesome if Rooney and Rvp did not score and we got a clean sheet and Welbeck scored a hattrick…..lol
You do realise that Debuchy and Falcao are injured?
I’m certainly not convinced that “[h]e’s [Rooney] never in the gym” is a positive attribute at all. That’s all.
knew a kid from my estate called wazza….he was a tw*t
focus on stopping Rooney and forget there are other 10 dangerous players around ……..also focus on rooney and forget u have vulnerable back-Line to shield and protect
Nice to see Wilshere obeying his master
Lot of talk going on that Wilshere should play as our Dm, very funny indeed. Maybe there is another Arsenal i watch these days. Honestly i dont see wilshere and Ramsey striking fear into the opposition, completely not.I think some fans want to see Arsenal drop to the level of Aston Villa. These players are meant to play for such teams
Rooney is not the only danger to worry about, there are other players that could cause problems like mata, januzaj, rvp, and fellaini who could pose a danger from corners!
I just want us to beat man u “so bad” and send them back to old trafford with their tails tuck between their legs! Come on gunners!
Whatever strategy u use, winning is what I need, wenger can top strike, bold may keep. It has been long we beat United!
Come on gunners lets give em hell at the emirates on saturday! Coyg!
Is there gonna be a WENGER OUT protest or all is forgiven now?
You are forgiven for doubting
Welbeck, Alexis, Walcott. High press us United, I dare you.
Im dreaming of our fierce front line with matic next to ramsey/Wiltshire and kompany atnrhe back with chambers, damn the bubbles burst! Per will be exposed again this weekend just hope monreal or chambers play out of their skin to protect him. Welbeck, Walcott and sanchez will have to work hard this weekend closing down quickly and turning into attack swiftly will be key. I think giroud and even poldi late on will have a say in this game! Workrate and dynamism are the key for sat. Coyg!!