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Wayne Rooney Questions Arsenal's Premier League Title Bid

'We'll Wait And See Where Arsenal Are In March'
The Huffington Post UK

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has cast doubt on Arsenal's Premier League title credentials.

United extended their unbeaten run to eight matches in all competitions with Tuesday night's goalless Champions League draw with Real Sociedad, and the champions' focus is now trained on Sunday's showdown with Arsène Wenger's men.

Despite negative pre-season expectations around a club that has won nothing since 2005, Arsenal have shot out of the blocks.

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Rooney goads Arsenal fans after Robin van Persie's opener at Old Trafford last year

The arrival of Mesut Özil - the man Rooney once advised Sir Alex Ferguson to sign - from Real Madrid appears to be a masterstroke and with all their rivals making a faltering start, the Gunners have already established a five-point cushion at the top.

Rooney, however, is remaining cautious about their threat.

"We'll have to wait and see where Arsenal are in March," he said. "We've seen before that they've been in the top two until February or March and then faded away.

Wayne Rooney goals vs Arsenal
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: (01 of12)
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Wayne Rooney of Manchester United clashes with Jens Lehmann of Arsenal after scoring the second goal for Manchester United during the Barclays Premiership match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on October 24 2004 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Rooney celebrates(02 of12)
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LIVERPOOL - OCTOBER 19: Wayne Rooney of Everton celebrates scoring during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool on October 19, 2002. (Photo by Mike Finn-Kelcey/Getty Images.) (credit:Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney of Everton celebrates scoring the equalising goal(03 of12)
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LONDON - MARCH 23: Wayne Rooney of Everton celebrates scoring the equalising goal during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Arsenal and Everton held on March 23, 2003 at Highbury, in London. Arsenal won the match 2-1. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - FA Barclays Premiership - Manchester United v Arsenal - Old Trafford(04 of12)
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Manchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring the opening goal of the game (credit:PA)
Soccer - FA Barclays Premiership - Arsenal v Manchester United - Emirates Stadium(05 of12)
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Manchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates his goal with coach Mike Phelan (credit:PA)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: (06 of12)
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Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates scoring their first goal during the FA Cup sponsored by e.on Fifth Round match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on February 16 2008 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United's English forward Wayn(07 of12)
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Manchester United's English forward Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring his penalty with supporters during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on August 29, 2009. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS - FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's English striker Wayn(08 of12)
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Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney (R) celebrates scoring the second goal with teammate Portuguese midfielder Nani (L) during their English Premier League football match against Arsenal at the Emirates in London on January 31, 2010. AFP PHOTO/CARL DE SOUZA FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo. (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Arsenal - FA Cup 6th Round(09 of12)
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates scoring his side's second gaol with teammate Javier Hernandez during the FA Cup sponsored by E.On Sixth Round match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on March 12, 2011 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Arsenal - Premier League(10 of12)
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United (second right) celebrates with team mates after he scores his side's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 28, 2011 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Arsenal - Premier League(11 of12)
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal with team mate Anderson during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 28, 2011 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's English striker Wayn(12 of12)
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Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring his third goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on August 28, 2011. Manchester United won the game 8-2. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

"They are doing brilliantly at the minute, so it's down to them to try and stay there and us to catch them."

Arsenal have not been five points clear at the Premier League summit since they beat Blackburn Rovers in February 2008. Their following domestic fixture was at Old Trafford in the fifth round of the FA Cup, when United crushed the Gunners 4-0.

The following week, striker Eduardo da Silva broke his leg at Birmingham City and James McFadden's late equaliser triggered a spectacular Arsenal collapse.

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