Wayne Rooney warns Mikel Arteta after Man City's victory at Liverpool

Arsenal leads the Premier League by six points as the Gunners look to end their 22-year title wait, and Wayne Rooney believes Mikel Arteta will be under pressure if his players fail to get the job done

Wayne Rooney has sent a warning to Mikel Arteta(Image: Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney believes Mikel Arteta could be shown the door if he fails to secure the Premier League title this season.

Arteta's players currently hold a six-point advantage over Manchester City at the summit of the table following the latter team's win at Liverpool. The Gunners are now the bookies' top pick to clinch the club's first league title since 2004. Given Arsenal's prime position, Rooney insists there can be no excuses if the team doesn't deliver.

The England and Manchester United icon stated on 'The Wayne Rooney Show' podcast: "I think for Arteta as well, if they don't win it this year, then you know, Arsenal have backed him massively here, certainly this year as well, and given him a fantastic squad.

"So if they don't win it this year, then I think there'll be pressure on Arteta, definitely for sure."

Rooney suggests that Manchester City's exhilarating comeback victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday will have rattled Arteta.

Liverpool was leading with just 16 minutes left on the clock, only for City to stage a late rally and emerge victorious with a 2-1 scoreline.

Arteta is under pressure to end a six-year wait for a major trophy this season(Image: Getty Images)

Had Guardiola's players suffered defeat at the weekend, they would have been trailing Arsenal by nine points instead of six.

Rooney continued: "The effect it can have is huge, because I remember when we (Manchester United) were in title races, and if you played the Saturday or you played earlier and you win, and then you see the gap at nine points just by coming back to six.

"And the way it's happened as well, because obviously Liverpool go a goal up, you think, if this stays at nine points, then what a boost that is for us.

"But then City coming back, you waste energy watching it, 100 percent.

"So I'm sure Arteta will be just telling his players to focus on their job, what they have to do.

"Because you can get caught up in it and look at other people's results.

"And I don't think that's a good thing. And they (Arsenal) will be looking at the fixtures coming up, and trying to work out how many points they feel they'll win, or City will win.

"You get caught up in it all, and in the end, all that matters really is if you win your games. That's it."