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| Wayne Rooney's shortage of league goals is a worry |
WAYNE ROONEY is a man in a hurry – breaking international records, featuring in a prime time TV documentary, preparing for the arrival of his third child.
Yet when it comes to club business the Manchester United skipper has slowed, almost to a crawl as he struggles to impose himself.
The goals have dried up – only one Premier League goal this season, one which bobbled in off his knee last weekend against Sunderland.
As the days count down towards his 30th birthday later this month some Manchester United fans believe it's time for the striker to be taken, at least temporarily, out of the firing line.
Rooney's upbringing on the tough streets of Croxteth will ensure that he is not party to that suggestion.
He might be one of football's biggest earners but it comes with a work ethic of the highest order.
There will be no hiding place for a player who has been in the spotlight for 14 years since announcing himself as a precocious 16-year-old.
And afterall where better to endorse the slogan 'form is temporary, class is permanent' than at The Emirates against an Arsenal side who have suffered down the years from Rooney's rampages?
Rooney believes that life has become tougher, not just for himself but for everyone in the Premier League.
The extra money which has flooded into the game has strengthened the so called smaller clubs meaning the Premier League's elite like Manchester United are no longer having things their own way.
"There are no easy games."Rooney maintained. "Perhaps six or seven years ago there were games where you knew you would win.
"But now there are teams that have progressed. It means you have to be at your best to get the points. It's harder for everyone.
"You see some teams at the bottom of the league buying players for a lot of money. It makes it a better league, more competitive. Physically you are pushing right to the end of games.
"In the past you could be leading 3-0 or 4-0 and take your foot off the gas, see it out and concentrate on the next game. Now you must keep on until the end.
"At the minute we're around the top of the table but we know we've got some tough games coming up so we have to be focussed."
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| Wayne Rooney ended his Premier League goal drought with his strike against Sunderland |
That includes today's tussle with the Gunners.
Rooney added: "It's always a tough game at The Emirates and I'm sure Arsenal players know it's a big game for them as well.
"For us it's a chance to extend the gap over Arsenal and make sure we are on top of the league going into the international break
"Arsenal have some quality players and we need to stop their danger players and take our chances."
While Arsenal lost at home to Olympiakos, Manchester United kept the flag of St. George flying in the Champions League by overcoming Wolfsburg which Rooney deemed "a massive three points."
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| Rooney celebrates with his Manchester United team-mates after scoring against Sunderland |
"Obviously the results for English teams have not been great in Europe this season but there is a long way to go.
"For me the Premier League is the best league. It's a tough league and you are always challenged."
With that in mind Rooney is delighted to have the experienced German international Bastian Schweinsteiger alongside him.
Rooney stated: "He has been brilliant since he has come in, not just on the pitch but off it he has been fantastic with everyone using his experience to help a lot of the players.
"He does it by just being around the place, and the younger players especially will get the benefit of that."
One of United's most consistent performers in an improved season under manager Louis van Gaal has been Chris Smalling, a player who was on Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's wish list during the defender's early days at Fulham.
He revealed: "That seems a long time ago but there was interest (from Arsenal) but I'm happy where I am now.
"This year I've definitely got more consistency, especially during the second half of last season. It's something I needed to add to my game.
"It's nice to get a constant run in the team and be recognised but it's a case of only being as good as your last game so I'll be looking to build on that against Arsenal."
Another boost was Van Gaal naming the England man as third in line for the captaincy behind Rooney and Michael Carrick – even though the Dutchman has difficulty with Smalling's first name, calling him Mike during one amusing media conference.
"Being third captain is significant, especially when you're one of the leaders in the team as people will look to you to gee them up when things aren't going so well. I quite like that responsibility," he admitted.
"As for Mike it's not stopped. The crowd were singing it as well. It seems to be my name and seems to have stuck."
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