Wayne Rooney thinks Arsenal ought to attempt to sabotage Manchester United’s goalkeeper Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move from Crystal Palace. As Mateta, 27, keeps getting better at Selhurst Park, he has been strongly linked to a move to Old Trafford.
After two disappointing seasons at Palace after joining from Mainz in 2022, Mateta has flourished in the last two seasons, scoring 34 goals in all competitions. Last week, it was claimed that Manchester United had begun negotiations to recruit Mateta, who is reportedly amenable to joining the Red Devils despite their ongoing difficulties under Ruben Amorim.
Legendary United and England star Rooney thinks Mateta is a man Arsenal should consider after their striker problems this season. With Arsenal now 15 points behind dominant Premier League leaders Liverpool, Mikel Arteta is severely lacking up top due to the club’s inability to acquire a new center forward and an unfortunate injury issue at the Emirates Stadium.
It is anticipated that Arteta would acquire a new striker this summer, and Rooney maintains that French Olympian Mateta would “assist” the Gunners.
Rooney reckons Arsenal should target striker Jean-Philippe
Over the weekend, Rooney said to BBC Sport, “Jean-Philippe Mateta is a big, strong lad who scores a lot of goals.”
According to my observations of Arsenal’s recent Premier League games, they have thrown a lot of balls into the box with no one to catch them. From that perspective, I’m confident he would assist.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who was acquired from Bologna in the summer, have struggled for goals for United this season, while Mikel Merino has had to be used as an emergency No. 9 by Arsenal in recent weeks because of injuries.
Due to his anticipated departure from Sporting Lisbon in the summer, Viktor Gyokeres has been linked to both teams. But it was recently revealed that he was determined to go for a team that might provide him with Champions League games, with Mateta being mentioned as a potential substitute.
