Unfair on Arsenal and Best Game Ever!

0:00Wayne Rooney:This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

0:30Wayne Rooney:the highest B2B return on ad spend of major ad networks. Spend$250 on your first campaign on LinkedIn ads and get$250 credit for the next one. Just go to linkedin.com slash broadcast. That's linkedin.com slash broadcast. Terms and conditions apply. It's time your hard-earned money works harder for you. With the Wealthfront Cash account, your uninvested cash can earn up to 3.95 % APY. That's a 0.65 % boost over an already high rate for three months just for being a new client. Plus free instant withdrawals to eligible accounts. Start today at Wealthfront.com. 3.3 % base APY via Program Banks as of January 30th, 2026.

1:07It is representative variable, requires no minimum, and is earned on funds swept to Program Banks. Boosted up to$150 ,000. Cash account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC member Finra SIPC, not a bank. Do you know what? I think it's the most I've enjoyed the game of football since I stopped playing. It's probably the first time I've been to a stadium and not been given any stick as well. I just hate it. I just don't like it at all. It's just taking every emotion out of goal celebrations and seeing red cards given for some things, which is crazy. Do you enjoy those set pieces, don't we? It's part of...

1:40Set pieces are part of football. No, but all the pushing and jostling and stuff. Yeah, but when David Beckham's whipping free kicks in from 20, 25 yards, it's a piece of genius. OK, so you guys are going to tell me that there was no football this weekend because Man United didn't play, but it was, of course, FA Cup weekend. Wayne, you were at Wrexham. Did you enjoy it? It looked like it was a bit wild and, I mean, what a cup tie. Do you know what? I think it's the most I've enjoyed the game of football since I stopped playing. Really? Yeah, really enjoyed it. Just the atmosphere. We had to walk through the fans quite a bit to get to pitch that and stuff and the fans were great.

2:22It's probably the first time I've been to a stadium him and not being given any stick as well. That was my next question. Were they nice to you? Yeah, that was nice. But no, just the atmosphere, the game. I thought it was a really good game. Wrexham were excellent. Unfortunate not to go through. And yeah, really enjoyed it. So Red Card changed the whole game for them, didn't it? It did. And I just don't think it's a Red Card. I think he's gone in quite quick, but he hasn't caught him high he's I just don't think it's a red card at all so I think he should have stuck with the referee decision What did you think Kay?

2:59Do you know I just think it's a bit unfair for VAR to be judging teams that don't usually play with VAR Yeah but I I don't even think it's a risk I just think it's he knows that if he doesn't make the tackle Garnaccio goes past him they're in trouble so he's made a firm tackle and made sure if he hasn't won the ball he's took the player it happens all the time we've all been there as players and it's a yellow card and I think and that's where VAR again I just hate it I just don't like it at all unfortunately doesn't look like it's gonna go anywhere but it's for me it's just taken every motion even the goal at the end I know it's a tough side and you get that right but it just takes taking every emotion out of goal celebrations and receiving red cards given for some things which is crazy and yeah unfortunately it's the consistency of it isn't it yeah they get it wrong and they get it wrong they get it right a lot of times but when they get it wrong it's it's just football is the emotion the the joy of football is for me is going year by year and you know sooner probably anytime soon they're going to end up with a robot or no referee in the middle of the pitch because that's how it's going and it's a shame.

4:22Do you think it can affect players though like if they're not used to playing it as Kay kind of mentioned there do you think if you're not used to having it what would it be like for the likes of your Wrexham fans? No I don't think as a player you're thinking about it on the pitch especially the tackle yesterday you know there was one the other day which game was where he was off-sar by a nose. The Tottenham Palace game and it's just ridiculous some of the decisions which are given. And I was speaking to... When we were speaking to the referee who was on here and the saying about the five centimetre rule, well, that guy's nose, if Sars knows, I don't think it was five centimetres.

5:06So if they're saying he's off-sar by that, then it's just ridiculous. Vert gets a goal given early on in the season and then we're seeing one's, Casemiro's one, I think, was against West Ham as well. I think there's no consistency in the decisions they're given. Word on Chelsea because Wrexham were brilliant, weren't they? I mean, they want to get promoted. They're in the playoff places in the Championship. At the moment, they look good value for kind of potentially doing it this season, if not their next season. But what about Chelsea? What did you make of them? I know they made a lot of changes.

5:37Yeah, again, I just don't think in the FA Cup I know they've got Champions League midweek and and they've got a lot of players but the quality of players they played they should be winning that game but I still don't agree with the amount of changes which teams not just Chelsea but teams are making in the FA Cup and I thought they'd done really well to get through that side last night because Wrexham were at it the fans were at it and I've been there I've played in games like that where you know it's very difficult to get through them that tie in both for them to get through it um i'm sure it'll be a big relief for garnacho had a game of his life didn't he at chelsea garnacho play well he did against astan villa as well um i think with garnacho it's just the end product um could he deliver a bit more um assist and goals but yeah i think for chelsea i think that's just a big relief um and i don't think you will you could see he didn't want to bring joe pedro on um after they get the equalizer but then he brings him on and he gets the winning goal.

6:38He's in great form at the minute. So I think it'll just be relief for Chelsea getting through last night. Wayne, you see when you're playing a lower league side sometimes as a Premier League side, why does it become so hard? Is it literally just the atmosphere and stuff? Because a lot of the time fans are expecting you to steamroll a team. No, it could be everything. It could be the atmosphere. It could be the pitch. You know, the fans are close, closer to you. The dress rooms aren't great and you can make excuses and we've seen it many times and I think a lot of the foreign players found that difficult.

7:11The good players, the players you play in, of course they're not playing to your level but they're good players and they're giving everything to try and beat you, to try and cause an upset so and I think that's why the FA Cup is the best cup in the world and when I'm seeing teams resting players all the time and especially teams around you know in Europe and and they don't need to and it's an opportunity we've seen it last year at Crystal Palace going to win the FA Cup the FA Cup in 95 giving me my best moment as a fan I just think it's a shame and maybe again maybe that's foreign managers as well and the pressure on managers now losing their jobs with every game which goes by so it's difficult but I still think the FA Cup for me you play your strongest team regardless.

8:02Yeah, I felt like that a bit today, like watching the likes of Fulham. Missed opportunities for teams that are safe in the Premier League. Yeah, and once you're safe in the Premier League, you see Sunderland gain the rest of the few players and Sunderland's had a fantastic season, but why not try and make it even better and why not try and go to the next level and to the quarterfinal, then potentially a semi-final and you don't know anything can happen from there. So why not try and give the fans something different and something a bit extra? And for me, that's where it's just disappointing the teams, rest players, and don't really take it that serious.

8:39Also, does it not affect your momentum as a team, Wayne? So say if you're on a good run in a league and then you make so many changes and then you lose, does it not affect your form afterwards as well? Do heads not drop? 100 and you know it can affect many things because if you bring players into the team and they don't do well and you're getting knocked out then that affects that player individually and his mindset then how is he around the training ground that was he as being a teammate going back to the bench and so the mood of and the atmosphere around saying ground it so there's many different things in which it can affect you resting players and and of course momentum if you've got good momentum going into it, then it takes that right out the window.

9:22So, yeah, I think it's in many different ways it can affect you. But for me, the FA Cup is still one of my greatest memories as a player as well, lifting the FA Cup and doing it as captain as well. I just think it's undervalued at the minute. Just a quick word as well on Joao Pedro, because we always speak to you about various strikers, but he's very much probably one of the most informed strikers in the league at the moment, would you say? What have you noticed that's changed about him under Liam Rossini? I think he's just settling into his position, isn't he? And, you know, he come on yesterday, he was outstanding, I thought.

9:59He was out left for Chelsea when he was under pressure. He was taking the ball, he was calm, always seemed to have time on the ball and then scores a great goal. And, yeah, I think we've seen, obviously, before Brighton, he's a good player. but I think there's just a consistency now over the last few weeks in playing playing in the right position and scoring goals obviously has given him confidence so yeah I think he's probably is the most informed forward in the Ligue 1 I'm doing the highlights tonight that's why I'm if you are watching this on YouTube you may notice that I'm in a seat that Wayne's often in when he's doing match of the day I'm doing it this evening I'm with Glenn Murray and he's obviously someone that's watched a lot of Joao Pedro and we were kind of discussing what his best position is because he's played out wide and he's played as a number nine but I'm wondering if his position now kind of a bit more like a 10 is he?

10:50Is that what he is now? For me I play him as a nine and let him almost like what Harry Kane is doing at Bayern Munich and Totti done it for Roma many years back as well and where he's clever enough to come into position to take the ball but then the way Chelsea play now you've seen him with Neto and Garnaccio at wide they hold the wit so they hold the back line back and he can come into the spaces but then once the ball goes out wide he's in the penalty box and for me that's the default nine if you like I think that's perfect he's not really got any competition anymore in that space either I think anytime he comes on he actually announces himself and he always has a good performance and he's sort of made that position his own I think yeah yeah and I think Liam DeLapp he's struggled obviously with injuries and he hasn't challenged Chael Pedro really for that position when he's played and he's still a young lad there's still a lot to learn and a lot to improve on so from that point through but regardless of what the lap is doing Chael Pedro is making it very difficult for Rossellini to leave not the team It's so important the move you make isn't it because in the summer he was being titled by Man United and Chelsea and other big clubs as well like Newcastle I know we're in for him as well I think and now obviously I think the way it's gone and a few unlucky injuries and bad performances.

12:14His stock's sort of diminished, hasn't it? Yeah, listen, it's tough. And again, he's a young lad. He suited Ipswich the way Ipswich played in the Premier League. Direct balls up to him running into the space and using his power, holding off defenders. But I think the way Chelsea play is a bit more precise, more possession-based. And you'd have to be a bit clever at why Jaupedo was doing well. in tighter areas and get your touch right and things like that. So it's a little bit different to what he was used to at Ipswich. So hopefully he improves and he learns that. But at the minute, yeah, I think he's finding it difficult.

12:53Wayne, you said you were at a game. Are you going to be in the next Deadpool movie now? No. Well, I was in the Deadpool commercial a few years back. Been there, done that. So, yeah. did you meet the owners no I think they were sat above us I think yeah but what I will say is honestly I'll say it again the atmosphere I really enjoyed it my favourite game since I stopped playing was Barcelona into Milan in the semi-final last year and this one took over really enjoyed it wowzers Wrexham fans will absolutely love that you're going from talking about Barcelona games but he enjoyed his trip to the race course okay let's talk about some of the other big stories from the weekend then.

13:40There's so many. By the way, we also have to give massive congratulations to Port Vale beating Sunderland because that is an incredible story. But focusing on one of the games between two Premier League giants, Newcastle 1, Man City 3. What did you make of Man City, firstly, Wayne? Is this another signal that they are back to their best? Because I think Eddie Howse at one point, it was like they had them in a stranglehold. Yeah, I think they have been, City have been good over the last few weeks and efficient and getting results. Obviously, the last game in the league against Forest was a disappointment for them.

14:16But yeah, City at the best, obviously top team, very difficult to beat and play against them. I think it's probably the reaction Guardiola will have wanted after the Forest game. So yeah, I think it's no surprise with City, with the squad and the players they've got and the quality they've got that they've performed on like that. I think Newcastle, you're hoping that the fans turn up and they can make it as difficult as they can for City. But if City are not the best, then I think they can blow up any team away. And Savinho, when he came on, he was... Oh, Savinho was good. Yeah, Savinho was really good.

14:51That goal was quite funny. I don't know how much he knew about it, but it just hit him and went in. And I thought, did he mean that? I don't know, you'll have to ask him, but you need that bit of luck, don't you, at times as well. and for any attacking player when things like that happen you should always come out and say you meant to regardless but no I think it's a little bit of luck as well but yeah I think for City getting players back and players challenging other players competition for places would be key for them in this running because obviously it's opening the points and gives Arsenal a big advantage but having players back and players come into the team and do well, obviously, it's great for...

15:39The American Express Corporate Program is more than a card. It's a complete solution. Apply for the right card for your employees. From everyday spenders to frequent travelers. Issue virtual cards to suppliers or project teams for added security and flexibility. Simplify accounts payable with American Express 1AP, helping your company automate supplier payments. The American Corporate Card Program grows with you. Terms apply. Enrollment required and fees may apply, including an auto-renewing monthly platform access fee. Suppliers must be enrolled and located in the United States. We focus on the part of the internet that most people don't know about.

16:15It's called the dark web.

16:16Wayne Rooney:Undercover in the furthest corners of the dark web, U.S. special agents are on a mission to locate and rescue children from abuse. Move in now. From the BBC World Service, World of Secrets, the darkest web follows their shocking investigations. Listen on bbc.com or wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Bye, The Aller.

16:48Did you see Pep on the touchline? Obviously, he got a yellow card and he's going to be missing from the touchline for a couple of games. and I wonder if that is maybe a reflection of a difficult week for Man City and everything. Yeah, that'll be just emotion. He will have been raging after the Forrest game, obviously, to get back to within touching distance of Arsenal and then let that lead slip against Forrest. He will have been raging and that's just an emotion which he's been holding in for the last few days and all that's come out. But I've seen you the other day, Rob Edwards, against Liverpool when he ran down.

17:22Did he not get booked? I don't think I don't know he did it twice didn't he he did it two games in a row I don't think he got booked at the end and then I'm just going back to the David Moyes one when Moyes got booked Rob Edwards runs down the whole length of the touchline boots the ball into the crowd and celebrates which I think is great and I'm not saying I want him booked oh come on let them off they've had an awful season yeah no but I'm not saying I want him booked but I'm just saying again the consistency why did David Moyes get booked and banned it's like kicking a man when he's down there isn't it yeah no I hope he gets away with it but I'm just again he's going to get retrospective yellow because of the Wayne Rooney show no he won't but no it's more for the fact that when Moisey just went onto the pitch slightly he gets booked yeah I think with the Guardiola thing it sort of reminded me a little of that year when United went out at a champion when Nani got a red card and Fergie came like running down because he was so angry of it because he in his head knew he was leaving and I feel like there might be an element of that where I feel like Guardiola wants to win something before he leaves.

18:31Maybe I'm imagining things, right? But I feel like he does want to win something. If the league is out of reach, he still does want to win a trophy. No, I don't think the league's out of reach just yet and I think they're still obviously well within that title race. Yeah, for me, it's more of a frustration which he's had over the last couple of days. he'll be scratching his head of how they didn't beat Forrest and that will have been eating him inside. And yeah, sometimes it boils over and you get a yellow card. That's football. Just a quick word where that leaves the title race. Because, I don't know, Arsenal have gone through.

19:06We knew Arsenal were probably going to go through, although Mansfield were brilliant as well. Yeah, no, well, again, for Arsenal, I've heard over the last week a lot of people talking about Arsenal and how they're playing. I think Arsenal have been brilliant. Football is played in different ways. You can have Man City a few years ago where they were absolutely incredible. Or United when I played there, or 1999 where we were relentless and ruthless and devastating. And Arsenal have got a good mix of different players who score goals. They're hard to play against, they keep clean sheets. And I actually enjoy watching them play.

19:45So I think they're very efficient. Do you enjoy those set pieces though, Wayne? It's part of, set pieces is part of football. No, of course, of course. No, but like all the pushing and jostling and stuff. Yeah, but when David Beckham's whipping free kicks in from 20, 25 yards, it's a piece of genius. But when Arsenal have done something which they've clearly worked on and the old teams find difficult to defend against, why would you not use it? Yeah, but a Royal Rumble in the 18-yard box isn't exactly... If the officials are not going to do anything to stop that, and I don't even think it is a Royal Rumble, I think they put bodies in there and they're putting the ball to the back post most of the time and then getting them knocked down and scoring goals.

20:27So if you're not clever enough or you haven't got the players who can deal with that, why would Arsenal not continue to do that? If you see a weakness. I'm playing devil's advocate because if my team did it and we win, I'd be like, whatever, we got a result. Before games, we used to look at two or three players maybe and say, this is how the opposition can hurt you. so if we stop this we stop a big chance of them scoring or winning the game against you so surely every team is looking saying right this is what Arsenal do but from Arsenal's point of view teams are finding it difficult to to stop it and Chelsea I think Chelsea have only scored one or two goals less on set pieces than Arsenal no one's talking about them are they?

21:07it's part of the game I love it I think it's been they've been they've been great and you know they shouldn't think I'm sure Arteta doesn't think this but they have to change anything because people are moaning and complaining about it. Would you be happy playing the position that you used to play, Wayne, playing in that Arsenal team at the moment or would it frustrate you? Or would you just be happy because you're winning? Well, I think Arsenal take the ball and they take the ball off the opposition. They play, they get players in good positions and maybe haven't scored as many goals from open players as they'd like, but they've made up for it in different ways.

21:41The last league title we won, we went great as a team. we won the league title but no one is going back to that now saying oh that Man United team won that last title weren't great I think I think for for Arsenal they had the years where they played incredible football one touch passing and all that yeah and won nothing yeah and they didn't win anything exactly and I think for them it's just important to get over the land this season I don't think they've been as bad as what people are saying I really don't how can they they clearly haven't been bad no they haven't been as bad but yeah no I feel But I'm saying, I feel like this year is a sort of win by any means necessary.

22:17You look at Greece, when Greece won Euro 2004, no one cares how they won trophies. Chelsea under Mourinho were very defensive and played on the counter-attack, won titles. No one says anything about that. So I think, I'm not saying this because I like Arsenal, I'm saying this because I think it's very unfair which the criticism, which they are receiving for being, what are these, seven points top at the minute? Seven points top of the league. And if teams can't deal, they're doing more. That's what I'd be doing if I was Arteta. It kind of does feel like at the moment that he's using that as a bit of kind of fuel to keep his team going.

22:55Some of his comments post-match against Mansfield, I just get the feeling maybe they're kind of enjoying winding people up. I don't know. They're probably just enjoying being seven points clear, aren't they, really? Yeah, I think their focus is just trying to win games in any way possible. And when you're going for the title, I don't think the last 10 games, I don't think you have to worry about what anyone thinks about how you play, as long as you win. Yeah, no. And like you said, no one's going to be talking about it if they do lift that Premier League title in May. Back to that Newcastle-Man City game, I just also was intrigued as to what you thought about Newcastle.

23:29Yeah, for Newcastle, it's very difficult now, isn't it, to use the funds and spend the money, which I think we all probably know they can do. It's difficult for them to do that. Where City, Chelsea and United, obviously, over years have been able to do that. Newcastle are not able to do that and they're trying to find different ways. So for them to bridge that gap is going to be difficult over the next few years again, but I think they just have to be patient with them. They've got a great fan base. They're not going to get instant success, but I think they're on the right path. I think last summer's transfer window was an opportunity missed there and I think the fact that they didn't have a proper sporting director in place at the time has really affected their season right now.

24:13Yeah, the Isak one was difficult for Newcastle Werner because obviously they had to know what money was coming in to what they can spend basically and that dragging on and then I think they were in for Sesko and then Boomer as well and didn't get them to and it feels like they were forced really into some signings and maybe not the number one targets. But yeah, listen, I think Newcastle have got a great manager in Eddie Howe. I think he's really impressed with everything he does. How much do you think, I know the ISAC thing dragged on last summer and obviously they've lost a great amount of goals from that team, but how do you think that has affected them even now because they haven't, Volta Marder's scored in fits and spurts, hasn't he?

24:58But they haven't got that out-and-out goal scorer. Do you think that kind of puts pressure throughout the rest of the team? Yeah, well, they haven't. Volta Marder looks like he's happy to play deeper in more of a midfield role, number 10. And Wissett hasn't really got going at all for Newcastle. So I think they've been missing an out-and-out number nine, if I'm honest. Anthony Gordon has done well when he's gone in there, especially in the Champions League. But yeah, I think for Newcastle, a priority this year is obviously the Champions League now. It's hard to go through in that and qualify again for the Champions League next season.

25:36I think that's got to be a priority for them because if they miss out on the Champions League for next season, then I think that's another step back and puts their plans back another year. It feels like Tuesday is just huge. I mean, I don't know if they can win the Champions League, but they look like they're in a slightly tough position in the league, given the teams around them too. Yeah, I think it will be tough. And I think anyone who's left in the Champions League can win it. They're all good teams. But it's got to be very difficult for them to win the Champions League. So, yeah, I think for Newcastle now, they have to just, again, what I was saying before, when everyone's fit, who's trying to play the strongest team in every game, and pick up as many points as they can and hope the other teams drop points to try and get back in that Champions League.

26:27I tell you what, I've been to St James' a few times. That atmosphere is going to be good on Tuesday. Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it. But I've been speaking to Alan Shearer about this and we've been desperate to go to Newcastle for a Champions League game, but one of me and I really, where this one is going to be some atmosphere in some game, so I'm looking forward to it. He must be nervous, must he, Al, at this point. He's a proper, isn't he? I think a lot of people think sometimes when there's like club legends but I've watched Newcastle games and before he gets proper into it doesn't he and he's a proper Newcastle fan yeah he is and it's funny sometimes watching him you have to be a little bit quiet at times as well because he's really intense watching and he wants Newcastle to win I think that's the main thing for him and so yeah I'm sure he'll be nervous it's the first leg so he can still be in the tie if they're still in the tie going into the second leg then I think they've done well.

27:21Yeah, we've mentioned the Champions League a few times and the fact it's a big week for Newcastle. It's potentially, I don't know, is it even bigger for Spurs? Everything feels big at the moment for Spurs. Since we last spoke, Wayne, things haven't really got any better, have they? No, and obviously the man just come in and I think it was three games, three defeats. But for me, I look at them players. I just think the players, I spoke about it a couple of weeks ago and said they probably are where they deserve to be in terms of the players they've got fit and available and I've had most of the season.