Wayne Rooney has two Premier League Managers Ahead of Mikel Arteta in his Ranking

Wayne Rooney places Pep Guardiola and Unai Emery ahead of Mikel Arteta in his ranking, despite the Arsenal manager leading the Premier League title race in December.

Wayne Rooney has reignited debate around Mikel Arteta Premier League status, with the former Manchester United striker ranking the Arsenal manager behind Pep Guardiola and Unai Emery. Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney argued that Arteta currently sits third in his managerial hierarchy, even with Arsenal top of the table on December 15, 2025, and firmly in the title race.

Rooney placed Pep Guardiola first, pointing to the Manchester City boss’s sustained dominance and tactical influence in English football. Guardiola’s consistent trophy haul continues to set the benchmark for elite management in the Premier League.

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However, it was Unai Emery’s second-place ranking that raised the most eyebrows among Arsenal supporters. Rooney stressed that Emery’s time at Arsenal should not define his managerial legacy.

“Unai Emery was the first one to come in after Arsène Wenger, and we saw with David Moyes and Sir Alex [Ferguson] how difficult that can be,” Rooney explained. “That’s huge pressure. The Arsenal job isn’t a true reflection of him.”

Rooney added that Emery’s current work at Aston Villa proves his quality, insisting the Spaniard deserves greater credit for thriving after such a challenging role.

Emery’s Aston Villa resurgence strengthens Rooney’s argument

Emery’s Arsenal spell between 2018 and 2019 lasted just 18 months and ended amid inconsistent performances and growing fan frustration. Since arriving at Aston Villa in 2022, though, his reputation has been rebuilt emphatically.

Villa have secured Champions League qualification, developed a clear tactical identity, and remained competitive at the top end of the table this season. Rooney believes this transformation highlights Emery’s adaptability and elite-level coaching ability, ranking him just behind Guardiola in the Premier League.

Despite ranking Arteta third, Rooney was keen to acknowledge the progress made under the Arsenal manager. He described Arteta as “doing a fantastic job,” recognising the club’s resurgence since his appointment in 2019.

Arteta has overseen back-to-back second-place finishes and guided Arsenal into another serious title challenge this season. His emphasis on youth development, pressing structures, and tactical flexibility has earned widespread praise, particularly among Arsenal fans.

However, Rooney’s view reflects a broader managerial assessment, placing heavy weight on the difficulty of succeeding legendary figures like Arsène Wenger and the long-term impact achieved elsewhere.

Arsenal fans question Rooney’s managerial rankings

Rooney’s comments have not gone down well with sections of the Arsenal fanbase, who see Arteta’s work as already comparable with the league’s elite. With Arsenal currently ahead of both Manchester City and Aston Villa, supporters argue that league position should carry greater weight in any managerial ranking.

Still, Rooney’s perspective is informed by his own experiences as a manager at Derby County, DC United, and Birmingham City, where pressure and expectation played significant roles.

With Arsenal leading the Premier League, Manchester City close behind, and Aston Villa firmly in the top-four mix, Rooney’s rankings add extra spice to an already intense title race.

The spotlight now falls on Arteta to prove that Arsenal’s progress can culminate in a first league title in over 20 years, potentially forcing a rethink of where he belongs among the Premier League’s managerial elite.

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