(Credit: Imago, Match of the Day)

Evan Shaw

Mon 20 April 2026 11:00, UK

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Manchester City have come under fire from Wayne Rooney for the way that they celebrated their 2-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland helped the Citizens to a huge victory over their title rivals, as they recorded yet another huge three points at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s men have made light work of the gap between themselves and Arsenal in recent weeks, and they could now go top of the Premier League table if they win their game in hand.

Their victory sparked jubilant celebrations after the full-time whistle, with Guardiola and several of his players spending a prolonged period on the pitch after the game had finished.

City’s latest victory has effectively left them with the title in their own hands heading into their final six games of the season, and that was something which clearly didn’t go down too well with Rooney.

Wayne Rooney couldn’t be more wrong over Man City celebrations

City have seen it all before when it comes to the final stages of Premier League title races, but the hunger that they have shown to claw back their deficit to Arsenal in recent weeks has been unprecedented even by their standards.

There was a clear sense of relief at the Etihad after the final whistle, and both players and supporters were well aware of the magnitude of the result in the context of their season.

The fans unfurled a banner in the stands reading “panic on the streets of London,” while Guardiola and several of his players ensured that they spent plenty of time taking it all in.

However, that was too much for Rooney to take on Match of the Day on Sunday night, as he made it clear that he felt the celebrations were excessive.

“I think it was a bit over the top,” the former Manchester United forward said.

“It’s obviously a big win, but Arsenal will be relieved that the game has come and gone. I just think it’s a little premature and it might come back to bite them (City).”

However, the 40-year-old simply couldn’t be more wrong with his accusations of the celebrations being “over the top,” as it is rare that direct title rivals meet this late in the season.

Rooney was part of several title-winning campaigns during his playing career at Old Trafford, and for him to suggest that City’s players should have reined it in after Sunday’s efforts is miles wide of the mark.

Arsenal ‘lucky’ not to go down to 10 men at the Etihad

Gabriel and Haaland enjoyed an ongoing tussle throughout the afternoon at the Etihad, and tempers flared between them in the latter stages of the game.

The Norwegian shoved the Arsenal centre-back after he was fouled on the halfway line, an action that caused Gabriel to but heads with Haaland before thrusting his head towards the City man.

Referee Anthony Taylor only deemed the clash to be worthy of a yellow card for each player, but Rooney and Danny Murphy both felt that Gabriel was “lucky” to stay on the pitch.

The incident was analysed during Match of the Day, and both pundits concluded that he could have easily been given his marching orders for a headbutt.

That would have turned the afternoon from bad to worse for Mikel Arteta’s men, and could have left City even more buoyant heading into their final few games.