Rooney Confident Of Arsenal Win

Wayne Rooney says United are confident of beating Arsenal on Sunday and subsequently closing the gap on the Barclays Premier League leaders.

Having suffered a few setbacks in the opening months of the season, the Reds appear to have turned a corner and are currently unbeaten in eight matches across all competitions.

Such a confidence boost is welcomed ahead of facing Arsenal, who visit Old Trafford at the weekend as the division's early season pacesetters. However, Rooney is adamant his in-form team-mates can topple Arsene Wenger’s high-flying Gunners.

“We're obviously capable of beating Arsenal, we've done it many times in the past,” Wayne told Press Association and ManUtd.com. “They're on a good run of form at the moment and are top of the league, so we know it's going to be a difficult game. But we have to go into that game confident, believing we can edge closer to them and bring us back into the mix of being at the top of the league."

On Arsenal’s title aspirations, Wayne said: “We'll wait and see where they are in March. We've seen before that they've been in the top two until February or March and then faded away, so it's down to them to try and stay there. They're doing brilliantly at the minute and it's up to us to catch them.”

With regards to United’s slow start in the league, Rooney is relaxed and content that the Reds are beginning to build momentum under new manager David Moyes, whose ideas and methods are beginning to influence the champions in a positive way.

“There have only been 10 games gone so there's no big worry at the moment,” the United and England striker explained. “We're starting to do well. If we can get the victory on Sunday then we're in a great position.

“We had a whole new set-up and different ideas from the manager. It's up to us to try and implement those ideas as best we can. It was a bit of a change but we're starting to show the things that the manager wants.

“Eight matches unbeaten is a good run. We're confident at the minute, we're getting more clean sheets and we're playing with a freedom, if you like. We're just looking forward to every game now.”