Speaking ahead of Sunday’s crucial encounter at the Etihad Stadium, the former Manchester United star explained that City’s track record of winning trophies under Pep Guardiola gives them an edge psychologically. According to him, Guardiola’s squad is more capable of remaining calm in tense moments compared to Arsenal.

“I believe City have the advantage simply because of the manager and the players they possess. They’re more likely to keep their composure than Arsenal,” Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show.

He added that a dip in form can affect a team’s mindset, noting that players begin to doubt themselves when results don’t go their way.

“When you’re on a bad run and lose games, you start questioning where the next goal or win will come from. That negative thinking can affect how you perform,” he explained.

City recently closed the gap on the league leaders after a dominant 3-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They currently sit second, six points behind Arsenal, with a game in hand — which happens to be Sunday’s showdown against Mikel Arteta’s side.

Despite that, recent setbacks, including a loss to Bournemouth, have sparked concerns about their consistency as they continue to chase the title.

Rooney described the upcoming fixture as a possible “title decider,” suggesting that the winner could take control of the race. He noted that while a draw might still benefit Arsenal, they must approach the game with discipline and resilience.

“Whether fans enjoy that style or not, Arsenal have to do everything possible to stop City. They must be strong enough defensively to prevent them from scoring,” he said.