Rooney says Pep Guardiola sent a message to Arsenal yesterday

Wayne Rooney believes Pep Guardiola delivered a pointed psychological statement to Arsenal on Saturday night without uttering a single word, as Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United trimmed the gap at the Premier League summit to just two points.

City’s gritty triumph, orchestrated by Guardiola at a raucous Etihad, ratchets up the pressure on a Gunners side that has surrendered four points in its last two outings and has not claimed a league championship in more than two decades. With the season entering its decisive stretch, the defending champions now control their own fate: win every remaining fixture and the title is theirs.

Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, Rooney framed the result as more than three valuable points, calling it a calculated move in the mind-game chess match that defines every championship run-in.

“That’s mind games as well from Pep,” Rooney said. “Without actually saying anything, that’s Pep telling Arsenal they’re up for this fight and they’re ready to take this fight on with Arsenal. Arsenal will be sitting there, because that was a tough game today against Newcastle but it’s a fantastic win.”

Guardiola’s side, lauded for its tactical discipline and relentless pressing, weathered early Magpies pressure before finding the breakthrough, a sequence that underlined their capacity to prevail in high-stakes encounters. The victory extends City’s spring surge and intensifies scrutiny on Mikel Arteta’s squad, whose recent performances have lacked the composure that propelled them to the top earlier in the campaign.

While City still trail Arsenal, the momentum shift is palpable. Guardiola refused to celebrate extravagantly at the final whistle, yet his measured demeanour carried an unmistakable message: the champions have no intention of relinquishing their crown without a ferocious battle.

Arsenal, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. Fixtures are dwindling, dropped points are proving costly, and the chasing team is led by a manager renowned for finishing seasons in relentless fashion. Rooney’s assessment only amplifies the narrative that the title race has pivoted from a pursuit to a psychological duel—one City signaled they are primed to win.