Rooney: 2008 Manchester United Would 'Batter' Arsenal's Quadruple Hopefuls
Wayne Rooney didn't hold back when comparing his legendary 2007-08 Manchester United squad to Arsenal's current quadruple-chasing team. The former England captain delivered a blunt three-word assessment: "We'd batter them."
It's a confident statement, particularly given Arsenal's remarkable achievements this season. The North London club is making history across multiple competitions and showing no signs of slowing down.
Arsenal established a new club milestone in the Champions League this Tuesday evening. The Gunners have now won seven straight matches in Europe's premier competition for the first time in their history. They're sitting atop the entire league phase with an unblemished record and have already secured a top-two position with one fixture remaining.
Their victory over Inter Milan on Italian soil wasn't spectacular, but it accomplished the objective. Arsenal battled through for the result and solidified their position as frontrunners to capture the Champions League title for the first time in the club's existence.
Quadruple Ambitions Remain Intact
The situation becomes particularly compelling for Arsenal supporters and bettors. The Gunners remain active in all four major competitions. They're leading the Premier League standings, holding an advantage over Chelsea in their Carabao Cup semi-final at the midway point, and have advanced to the subsequent round of the FA Cup.
No English football club has ever captured all four major titles in one campaign. It's an enormous challenge, but Arsenal have positioned themselves to pursue it. For those considering long-term wagers, the Gunners' performance across all tournaments is certainly impressive, although they've yet to secure any hardware this season.
Rooney's 2007-08 United squad claimed both the Premier League and Champions League trophies. However, they missed out on the treble when Portsmouth stunned them in the FA Cup, and Coventry City delivered an even more surprising defeat in the Carling Cup (now known as the Carabao Cup).
Silverware Absence Persists
Despite their current achievements, Arsenal face a significant concern. They haven't lifted a trophy in recent memory. Their most recent silverware was the 2019-20 FA Cup, almost six years in the past.
They haven't even appeared in a final since that triumph. And those three consecutive runner-up finishes in the Premier League? They're painful reminders. Arsenal have come remarkably close to ending their championship drought but continue to fall marginally short.
Rooney delivered his assessment with a wide smile during Amazon Prime Video's broadcast. He understands the calibre of teammates he played alongside during that era. But whether his 2008 squad would genuinely overpower this Arsenal team? That's a discussion football enthusiasts will be engaged in for the foreseeable future.