Arsenal Fans Need To Do BETTER & City Celebrations Too MUCH?

20 Apr 2026 · 30 min · 14 chapters

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In short

Premier League title-race fallout after Manchester City beat Arsenal, plus brief discussion of Everton 1–2 Liverpool and derby/club culture.

Guests

Wayne Rooney (former England/Man United striker; BBC pundit) and Kay (co-host; discusses Arsenal/City/Liverpool from a fan/pundit perspective).

Key claims

Arsenal fans “need to be better” (booing/players announced departures before season end). City’s celebrations were “too much,” but the title race remains open because City still have six games and Arsenal five. Arsenal lacked composure in big moments; Rice/Zubimendi “went missing” while Bernardo Silva, Rodri, and especially Haaland made decisive impacts. Arteta’s decision not to start striker Viktor Gyokeres/Jokeres (referred to as “Djokovic” in transcript) was questioned.

Notable examples

Haaland winning goal; Gabriel lucky not to be sent off; Haaland’s “I’ll never go down unless I’m hurt” comment; Arsenal’s recent late-game inconsistency; Everton’s ruled-out goal and late header; Salah scoring for Liverpool.

Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.

Chapters

Tap a time to open that second in VO

Arsenal Fans Need to Step Up

1:41 to 4:19

Wayne discusses the response of Arsenal fans and the team's performance.

“What I will say is I think the Arsenal fans need to be better.”

City vs Arsenal Match Breakdown

4:19 to 7:02

Analysis of the City vs Arsenal match and its implications for the title race.

“But I just think psychologically this showed a lot.”

Referee Decisions and Player Reactions

7:02 to 10:12

Discussion on refereeing inconsistencies and player behavior during the match.

“But yeah, I thought that as they had a good game.”

Bernardo Silva's Impact and Future

10:12 to 12:34

Exploring Bernardo Silva's performance and the future of players at Manchester City.

“Just a word on Bernardo Silva as well because, I mean, plug for my interview again, the football interview that I did with him went out again this weekend.”

Title Race Predictions and Insights

12:34 to 14:01

Final thoughts on the title race and predictions for Arsenal and City.

“But did he deserve man of the match today, Bernardo Silva?”

Arsenal's Recent Form and Mental State

14:01 to 15:14

Discussing Arsenal's struggles and potential for recovery in the title race.

“I think with Pep, you can see that calmness he sort of transcends through to the team and he's got a bit more experience and know-how at this time of the year to be like, we'll get there.”

Psychology of Title Races

15:40 to 20:55

Analyzing the psychological impact of pressure on Arsenal and their fans.

“Save big money on everything you need at Menards.”

The Role of Arsenal Fans

20:55 to 23:14

Examining how fan behavior affects player morale and team performance.

“it was Gabriel to hold off the defender.”

Entitlement and Expectations Among Fans

23:14 to 25:58

Discussing the entitlement of Arsenal fans and the need for perspective.

“but I think they need to understand And they've got a role to play.”

Everton vs Liverpool Derby Reactions

25:58 to 28:05

Sharing thoughts on the recent Everton vs Liverpool Derby and its implications.

“I never thought we'd be doing Wayne's rallying call to the Arsenal fans on this podcast.”
Show all 14 chapters

Reflecting on the Derby Loss

28:05 to 29:11

Wayne discusses the impact of losing the derby and the team's performance.

“and Liverpool fans come out from everywhere.”

Salah's Derby Legacy

29:11 to 30:25

Wayne shares his respect for Mohamed Salah and his scoring record.

“so we're glad to get them back there Do you think you'll still make a European spot?”

Leadership and Player Interviews

30:25 to 31:41

Wayne reflects on player interviews after losses and leadership roles.

“Going back to what you said about him and Van Dijk and you said more so Salah, I think, about doing interviews when they win and maybe not when they lose.”

Previewing Match of the Day

31:41 to 32:06

Discussion on previewing the upcoming Match of the Day episode.

“a Liverpool banner up by the time you got home for Match of the Day tonight?”
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Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

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1:19The produce section is bursting with pineapples, mangoes, and kiwis at their juiciest. Grill up fresh seafood paired with tropical fruit marinades or grab and enjoy the spicy Hawaiian pizza, hooli hooli chicken and more. Finish with a sweet slice of mango yuzu chantilly cake. Savor the tropics and save at Whole Foods Market. What I will say is I think the Arsenal fans need to be better. I think they need to, you know, I've seen them boom the team off today. Arsenal have been brilliant all season. But again, it seems to be a threat now that players are out in the league before the end of the season.

1:54I just don't like it. You hate it, don't you? Yeah, it rarely gets to me. It's horrible when you lose the derby and the good fans come out from everywhere. What messages have you had? I haven't even looked at my phone, to be honest. All right then, Wayne, as this is your show, you can decide which of Sunday's two big games we talk about first. I can probably guess which one that you want to go with. Yeah, obviously, we're having a great day for everything. Losing the derby, it's never nice. so yeah I think let's focus on City-Arsenal what did you make of it then because this time last week we sat didn't we and we said it could potentially decide the title is it title decided I don't think so I think it was a good game I thought City were the better team Arsenal had the chances and I was just a bit at the end I was looking at it I was thinking you know Arsenal still top the league City have got to win one more game obviously than Arsenal with the game in hand so I still think it could go either way and I think the celebrations were a bit a bit much at the end obviously it's a massive game but I just thought you know City still has six games to go Arsenal five there's a long way to go I still think there'll be twists and turns and I probably still have Arsenal as slight favourites.

3:26Really? Yeah. Go on K. Why do you say that though? Because just looking at some of the players today, big moments, they went missing. Rice and Zubomendi were like missing. They didn't do anything in comparison to like Bernardo Silva and Rodri. They bossed that game. Yeah, they didn't obviously harland that as moment as well. Scoring the goal, winning goal. I think the big thing was, you know, it's a massive game obviously for both clubs in terms of the title and I think the biggest takeaway I got from it was Djokovic being on the bench in such a big game I think that will be a real blow to him being on the bench and obviously if you look at the two strikers they brought him in to try and help him win the league and I've been in real support of him this season I would have liked to seeing him start and trying to go and take the game and obviously Haaland does what he does he gets the winning goal but I just thought at the end you know it felt like obviously City are happy they've won the game and delighted they've won it but I feel like there's still quite a few games to go so just don't celebrate too much too soon Was that not also though do you think a bit psychological because Arsenal were on that pitch watching it?

4:48Yeah I think you could say that if they're playing each other again but I think it's a relief for Man City, of course it is, but then it was actually when the table came up and I was looking at it, I was thinking Arsenal are still top, City, they've obviously got the three more points in the bag, City have to go and get them points in a tough game against Crystal Palace and I was starting to think when did City how many times have City won five or six games in a row this season it's not easy to do in the Premier League so I still think there will be a twist and turn to them Kay you're a little bit more the other way aren't you I think for Arsenal to win the league these are the kind of games that they have to win they sort of have to dominate against the top six sides convincingly for me to see them as champions elect and Wayne's right listen there is there is still some time But I think, and look, Wayne's been there and done it, so I can't argue with him.

5:48But I just think psychologically this showed a lot. And I think those City players, even when they were playing, there seemed to be a bit more of assurance about them when they were playing. They seemed to be a bit more in control. Whereas I think Arsenal, there were points in a game where they started taking a bit more risks, but it was a bit more of the same that we've seen in the last few weeks. Yeah, Wayne, I was going to ask you what you made of Arsenal's performance because we kind of discussed, and I know a lot of people have been discussing in the build-up, how were they going to go there and approach it?

6:21Yeah, I thought it was a positive performance. I don't think they went there and, I thought they went and sat back and tried to come away with the point, but I think they went there and had a goal. He had chances, quite a few chances. So I think it was a positive performance other than the result. So, of course, he'd be disappointed and it'd be a hard one to take, but I think there were still positives in there for Arsenal. What did you make of Eze being subbed off? Because I thought he was probably one of their brightest spots. Yeah, he was doing well. So I think Arteta at the time was obviously trying to change something in the game and change the momentum maybe.

7:02But yeah, I thought that as they had a good game. Going back to what you said before about Jokeres will have been disappointed. He was their big summer kind of signing, wasn't he? In terms of the striker that they wanted. Did you understand what Mikel Arteta was trying to do by not starting him? I think these decisions, if he comes on and gets the equalised or he comes on to go to a winning goal, obviously it's the right decision.

7:30But yeah, I thought with him not starting, I thought Arsenal would have tried to sit in there. But yeah, I think it was a strange one, him not starting, because you bring a number nine in, which they've been looking for all season. And I actually think he's done okay. And to not start him in such a big game, I think that might affect him. Kind of feels like a tale of two teams with very different star centre forwards, doesn't it really? Erling Haaland made for games like today and the battle that he had with Gabriel, I imagine that kind of took you back to your playing days and some of the battles.

8:04You would have relished that, wouldn't you? Yeah, you don't seem to see them that much nowadays. And I remember I used to have a few with John Terry with Vinton Company. I used to have some good battles. Sometimes you come out on top, sometimes they do. Obviously, Erling Haaland had the last laugh, obviously scoring the winning goal, but yeah they've had a few over the last couple of years so it's nice to see that Gabriel was lucky not to get sent off though I mean it's like I mean I think if he'd have pulled his hair he might have got a red card for that but yeah I thought that he's had a little a little go and he's pushed his head and I think he's lucky he's missed him but yeah I thought he was really lucky actually did you like what Harlan said post-match because actually he said yeah maybe it should have been a red but and they said it in comms Harlan probably helped him by not going down.

8:58And Harlan said, I'll never go down unless I'm hurt. Did you kind of respect that, that Harlan didn't make more of it? Yeah, you do, but then you...

9:08It shouldn't take a player to go down, because all players are different. Some players will feel a finger in the face and go down, and some players are a bit more resilient than that, and maybe Harlan is. I reckon if they were if they were losing the game he'd have probably have started rolling around on the floor bro yeah so no but listen I think head to head's fine but then he has he's very lucky not to get red because he has told his head so I think he's really lucky actually yeah that's what you thought wasn't it Kare it was one of the first things yeah I just think we just need to see a bit of consistency in refereeing you know you've got I mean I'm a Man United fan so I'm always going to bring it up but when Leicester got a red card the other day for pulling on someone's hair and you could go and headbutt somebody and it's only a yellow it just shows like refereeing in this country is becoming a bit of a joke yeah there's too many rules now as well I think you know just let the players go and play and obviously if it gets out of hand the referees come in but there's too many rules and I think everyone gets caught up okay I'm going to try and divert us away from refereeing and VAR because I hate it when we get caught up on that I know it's prevalent at this moment but let's try and talk about the football because it was a brilliant game.

10:22Just a word on Bernardo Silva as well because, I mean, plug for my interview again, the football interview that I did with him went out again this weekend. There's been so much talk about him and obviously it's the end of his City career. And I mean, there was that, was it Havers that was through? And Silva had no right to get there. Was it Havers? Yeah, I think it was, yeah. Like, what a player and what a performance, Wayne. Yeah, no, listen, he's been brilliant for Man City over the nine or 10 years, is he? And I thought today again, he was fantastic. And he's adjusted his game a bit. A few years back, he was a tricky winger.

10:56And now he's more of a midfielder, getting all around the pitch. And he's been fantastic for the Premier League. But again, it seems to be a trend now, the players announcing the leaving before the end of the season. I just don't like it. You hate it, don't you? Yeah, it really gets to me. And seeing today at the end of the derby, Liverpool players pushing Andy Robertson to the fans and pushing Mo Salah to the fans. and it becomes bad that player or them players rather than the team. And all them players deserve massive send-offs from their respective clubs. But yeah, I just don't like it. I think it's the end of the season.

11:33Do you understand in a way though, Wayne, when there's so much speculation, maybe the club as well just want to put a line under it? No, you don't. I was trying to play devil's advocate. No, but the club and the player will know what the situation is. But is it not for the fans and the media to stop all the speculation? That's what I'm saying. Not really, because I suppose the speculation is going to get even more, isn't it? So now, who's Mo Salah going to sign for? Is he going off to Saudi? What teams are they going to be playing for next season? So I don't think it stops any speculation. It's just, I don't know.

12:11I'm not putting this purely in the players. I don't know if it's the players or the clubs doing it. and now today. But I just don't... When you're in a team game, it's about the team and then at the end of the season, especially Mo Salah deserves all applauded in the world for what he's done for Liverpool. But let's just get on with the game and the rest of the season. But did he deserve man of the match today, Bernardo Silva?

12:40I don't know. I would give it Haaland, even being honest. I just think... forwards bias? No, I just think big moments, big games. He scores the winning goal, so I would have given a hand. There was a few good performances today, weren't there? I think O 'Reilly was really good as well. Yeah. Yeah, he was. And Docky as well, I thought. He's always a handful. So, yeah, you couldn't have given anyone, but I think when you're getting the winning goal in such a big game, then I would have given a hand. So where does this leave everything then, Wayne? You think, well, in fact, Pep actually said it, didn't he?

13:11He said losing the title race is over. They haven't lost, so the title race continues. That's what you're saying, basically. Yeah, I think if Arsenal were the one, then, yeah, I think it would have been done. I think with City winning, it keeps it alive. Obviously, Arsenal's still top by three points. And it makes it really interesting. Six games for City, five for Arsenal. I think both teams will drop points in the running. So it's very difficult to call. because with the way, I still have City game. Arsenal just like favourites. Do you still? Yeah. That's interesting because I think for a lot of those players in our Arsenal dressing room, we've seen this happen in the last couple of years and I think they don't have the experience to get them over the line.

13:59No, I just don't think they've got the experience to get them over the line. I think with Pep, you can see that calmness he sort of transcends through to the team and he's got a bit more experience and know-how at this time of the year to be like, we'll get there. I mean, there was a stat I saw that Arsenal have lost seven games in their last 55. In the first 49 matches, they lost three. In the last six matches, they've lost four. Yeah. Those things are telling. Yeah, they've been consistent, haven't they, throughout the season? And unfortunately for them, they've hit a bad run of form. I think, I think the Man City game today has been there and will have been at the back of their minds and they will have been thinking about that game over the last couple of weeks and i think now that game's gone um it's a chance for them to refocus regroup themselves and say right we've got five games left five games to to try and win if they win five games i think they'll win the league um so they don't have to worry about man city anymore they have to focus on themselves and in and i'm sure that's where our set will We'll be going over the next few days to try and get them back on track.

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16:21I'm actually bored myself this season with how many times I've asked about the psychology involved in this title race. But I'm going to ask again because City obviously playing midweek before Arsenal play again. will that alter anything because obviously the gap I'm not no disrespect to Burnley but on form you'd expect Man City to win that so the gap is going to be closed again yeah well if City win it'll be what they'll be level on points yeah so yeah it's and then it's a shootout isn't it so I just think what I said before about the celebrations I think I just felt City went a little bit over the top and Arsenal were actually going a bit the other way.

17:03They looked too down with it. I think if you would have said to Arsenal at the beginning of the season, this is the position they'd be in, I think they would have accepted that. So I think Arsenal need to get themselves back together and Man City, and maybe where I said for Arsenal, we're looking at the City game, maybe City are looking at this Arsenal game. And you've got to respect the other teams in the league. There's a tough game still to come for both teams. but Wayne do you see you see where you said like the Arsenal heads dropped after the game and you said you think it's a bit too much don't you think that's where the experience is important where somebody like yourself if that had that experience in that team goes guys come on it's not over and they actually believe them because I feel like there's nobody those players actually believe right now when they say it's not over yeah I think you don't know what what they do and don't believe him.

17:59I think... I just think with getting the City game out of the way, and of course, obviously, they've lost it, but I think it's an opportunity to refocus now and for Arteta as coaches and maybe the captains in the team to say, right, lad, come on, let's get back on track, let's get back together and focus on this running because they'll know themselves. they haven't been good enough for over the last month and for them it'd be a shame if they let this slip because I think this is a massive opportunity for them. As neutrals though the goal difference is one, this is this result K if anything has just made it better hasn't it for us Yeah but I don't want to see anybody winning a title based on goal difference I've been there as a fan and we lost it on goal difference I wasn't going to mention that again Yeah it's a horrible feeling I just think look, I'd rather somebody wins it on points decisively even if it's a point but it's much better than goal difference and I don't think anybody wants to see another shootout or like a playoff with these two yeah no listen whoever whether it's goal difference or by points whoever wins the league at the end of the season deserve it because they've racked up the most amount of points or the goal difference is better than the opposition so I don't think how you win it I think I think there will be points dropped by both teams and if it's goal difference so be it that could go either way what is it the goal difference that would one what is it that could go either way so it's not nice of being there also imagine being Burnley in midweek knowing that there's goal difference of one City are going to go there and want to kind of really I'm not saying again I wouldn't want to be Scott Parker right now no but that's what makes it better we used to do that with Alex Ferguson he used to always say to us with 2 or 3-0 go on tight and score again keep time to score as many goals as you can because it might be decided on goal difference and at the time you're thinking yeah it's never going to go to goal difference but obviously it did that one time so it would be interesting now to see because Arsenal have been a bit trying to just nick the wins and nick them 1-0 wins but they changed that mindset to try and go and really go and get at teams and try and win by 3 or 4 goals because that might be a major factor Arteta said post-match that there was actually similarities to the cup final, had two massive chances to go ahead and we didn't.

20:29And he spoke about composure as well and they didn't have composure in the big moments. Do you agree? And is that, if they do lose this title race, is that why they'll lose it? Yeah, maybe at times. Zuhabert at the end had a great chance with his header. And just moments and that's where the best players come alive and that's what Harlan done. Great goal, great strength to hold off, it was Gabriel to hold off the defender. And a really good finish, and that's what the best players do. Arsenal just didn't have that in the end, and they had opportunities. They've had opportunities in the co-final as well against City.

21:10They didn't take them and normally the best team's punishing, and that's what City's done today. Yeah, Arteta's still saying they've got the belief, so he'll be pleased to hear you, Wayne, saying that you think it's still open, because there's a lot of people like Kay saying it's not. Yeah, you can get carried away, and that's what I was saying about... You're not getting carried away, okay? I'm not getting carried away, but I just love seeing Arsenal fans lose their head. I mean, look, can we just mention Paddy to Paddy and how accurate his comments were the other day, by the way? Ah, Paddy to Paddy.

21:36No, but do you know what? What I will say is, I think the Arsenal fans need to be better. I think they need to... I've seen them boon the team off the other day. Arsenal have been brilliant all season. and they've got to be a little bad on the form. And they need to understand how much the fan support means to the players and how much they can help you. And when you're getting booed off, them players will have put so much work in, day in, day out, the time pitch, to be in the position they're in now. So when you lose a game and you get booed off, that can affect players as well. So I think for Arsenal to win the league, the Arsenal fans need to play their part.

22:18and I thought, I'm not saying today, but I thought the Bomber game thing was, I thought the fans let them down. I said this last year as well, in the Champions League, I thought the Arsenal fans were excellent against Real Madrid and really helped them. And I don't think they turned up against PSG and they went out. So I think they need to get behind the team a little bit more, support them, but understand that they might lose games at times. I think if you were to go by social media, a lot of Arsenal fans want Arteta out already. I've been seeing tweets left, right and centre saying if he doesn't win it this year he's got to go bring in Cesc.

22:54There's loads of like that kind of those kind of comments coming from Arsenal fans on social media. I mean I know that's probably not representative of the whole fan base but Wayne are you trying to say there needs to be a bit of perspective from the Arsenal fans though about how far they've come as well? Yeah no of course they want to win the league and they're desperate to win the league but I think they need to understand And they've got a role to play. So when we've won titles, if you look at Man United, for instance, when Man United over the last few years have been going through a tough time with Ten Hag and Ruben Amaran, the fans were right behind the manager and back the manager at the stadium.

23:35They were constantly singing and getting behind the team. Very rarely boot the team off when you're going through a really difficult time. Now Arsenal have been top of the league all season. in a Champions League semi-final and they lose against Bournemouth and they get booed off I think that's the fans need to be better for the players and back the players a little bit more because that will have hurt the Arsenal players 100 % Is it nerves do you think? Well I don't know because Arsenal they haven't won the league for a long time have they so That's probably why they are nervous though because they've been in strong positions Yeah everyone gets nervous before in the running players coaches fans and I don't think you you boot the team off because of nerves I think I don't know maybe it's arrogance that the fans have maybe that's why they're not very well liked around the country maybe but no I'm not saying that's not my opinion no no I completely agree with you I think it is that level of entitlement sometimes where it's like if If you haven't won a league title in 20-odd years, then you shouldn't have that level of entitlement.

24:49As Wayne said, if your team is top of the league for the whole season, you can't throw your toys out of the pram with a couple of bad results. You've got to be there through the thick and the thin. I wonder if that's also the booing. I think I might have said it on this podcast before. It feels like, I don't know, from when you were playing Wayne to now, booing seems to be a more common thing. Do you know what I mean? and fans seem to do it a lot more. Yeah, but I think you can... You accept it when it's right and it's deserved. I remember when I come off the pitch at half-time in the England game and in that first half, the final two of us was after like 10 minutes.

25:27So we didn't have a chance to get into any rhythm in the game and I said some words then, which I regret saying, but it shows that the players are hurting and it does affect them. It does affect players and Arsenal are so close to win the title. The last thing them fans should be doing is bring them off the pitch. They should be... Can you imagine? And I've been there. If you lose a game and you won't off the pitch and then the fans get right behind you even after you've lost the game as well. You feel 10 feet tall. So I think the fans have definitely got a role to play in it. I never thought we'd be doing Wayne's rallying call to the Arsenal fans on this podcast.

26:04I just don't want City to win it. okay sorry we do also have to talk about Everton 1 Liverpool 2 what did you make of it yeah I thought it was a close game tight game and yeah unfortunately obviously they put it to win in the end and it's never nice when you lose a derby so yeah you were unlucky sorry he was desperate for us to just move on he's like he's giving short answers we won't have to talk about it I feel I feel like Everton were unlucky though My youngest lad was there at the game and yeah it's never nice when you lose a derby and especially you lose it late on so it was nice to see Van Dijk and Salah actually doing the interview after the game it was nice Two friends of yours that No What do you mean by that?

26:58No I thought Canard they got thrown under the bus a little bit after the Champions League game I don't think I've ever can hardly do an interview and he really struggled in his interview so but it's easy when you that's what I've said all season in fairness to Van Dijk he does a lot of interviews he normally does a lot and we very rarely see Salah so it was nice to see them take him applauded Kay what was your point going to be about you were going to say that you thought Everton were unlucky I thought they were unlucky I thought you know got a goal ruled out. I thought they played well. I don't think Liverpool were particularly amazing.

27:39I feel like they were poor for a lot of the game. And I feel, you know, how many minutes was that added on after? It was like the hundredth minute or something like that, where they got a header. I mean, I just feel like they deserve the point at least out of that game. And I don't think Liverpool deserves all three points, but hey, that's the way it goes. I imagine that's a view that Wayne shares. Yeah, no, it's horrible when you lose the Derby and Liverpool fans come out from everywhere. What messages have you had? I haven't even looked at my phone, to be honest. But it's not nice when you lose the derby, especially at home.

28:20I have to get over it quickly. It was good for Mohamed Salah, though, to grab a goal. I feel like he's vindicated for a little bit, given that he's been out of the side for a while and it was a really nice finish. Yeah I would have preferred him not to be Sorry I have never heard Wayne put us off so quickly as he's trying to Move on man let's talk about something else The proper Evertonian in you came out on Tuesday with Paddy and I can see it even more I think the anticipation of the game and Everton going into it we fancied it today and him just come up a little short I was going to say it felt like on Tuesday that you actually particularly with Paddy I felt like you were in his head as well that this is probably the most belief Everton fans had going into the derby for quite some time Yeah, I think that showed in the performance as well.

29:03I thought it was a good performance. And then, yeah, obviously when you lose the game late on as well, it's always tough to take. So, yeah, we'll be back. I think what Moyes has done with the team over the last year, getting them top half of the table and pushing for the European spot and getting them closer to Liverpool where the gap has been massive over the last few years. so we're glad to get them back there Do you think you'll still make a European spot? I don't know how many spots there is nowadays I think we're getting five Champions League spots and then it's a Europa League and a Conference League spots Yeah, I think he's still got a chance Wayne, is the reason that you're a bit spicy towards Salah tonight because he's got such a good record in derbies nine goals in 15 matches against you?

30:00I've got so much respect for Mo Salah I think over his career at Liverpool he's been fantastic and one of the best players ever to play in the Premier League so we'd expect him to score goals against a lot of goals against many teams so yeah it's always hard on Derby Day when he scores but you know it is a legacy in this Premier League and for Liverpool no one will be able to deny that. Going back to what you said about him and Van Dijk and you said more so Salah, I think, about doing interviews when they win and maybe not when they lose. Does that really annoy you as a player? Did it annoy you during your career?

30:38No, normally you'll have a group of players who when you know the interviews are going to be tough and normally when you get knocked out of a cup or you have a bad result, normally you'll see a group of five or six players who go out to do, or three or four players who do the interviews, the leaders. I just thought from Liverpool, I'm not blaming Van Dijk or Salah, by the way, I'm saying from Liverpool's point of view, that might be the manager, might be the press officer to put Canate open after the PSG game. You could see the interview, his phone went off in the interview, he forgot what the question was and he really struggled with the interview, I felt, and I just thought it was poor from Liverpool's point of view to pull him up in after going out to the competition.

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31:25Normally, that's where the leaders in the team will come out. And Van Dijk does it constantly. He's the one who does come out and do interviews. So I'm not having a go with him. I just felt Kadar Tate shouldn't have been the one in the interview. Wayne, do you reckon that Colleen might have put a Liverpool banner up by the time you got home for Match of the Day tonight? No. We'll enjoy having to talk about it again live on BBC One on Match of the Day tonight. yep let's go through trying to keep that short today was about Man City times like this you must be delighted that you've taken up being a pundit and having to talk about it twice well enjoy Kay Wayne see you next week and we'll be back on Friday with another episode and of course next Sunday to a reminder you can watch the Wayne Rooney show on the BBC iPlayer or on the BBC Sport YouTube and you can listen on BBC Sounds and we'll see you next time

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From the publisher

Wayne Rooney doesn’t hold back as he reacts to Manchester City’s win over Arsenal and questions has the title race just shifted? Did Erling Haaland prove the difference again? But his biggest talking point comes off the pitch as he criticises Arsenal fans, insisting they must back the team instead of turning when pressure builds.

There’s also a very raw reaction to Liverpool’s late Merseyside derby win over Everton. Did Everton deserve more? Why do defeats like that hurt differently? Wayne also questions Van Dijk & Salah’s post-match interview, asking why Konate was left to face the cameras after Liverpool’s PSG defeat.

Wayne also takes aim at a growing trend in football - players announcing they’re leaving before the end of the season. Why does he hate it so much? Does it damage the team at the worst possible time? And what does it say about dressing room focus during a title run in?

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