Mikel Arteta should ignore unfair criticism of Arsenal team – Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney has urged Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to ignore “very unfair” criticism of the Premier League leaders’ playing style.

The Gunners remain in contention for a quadruple after reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 win at Mansfield and are seven points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand, at the top of the Premier League table.

Arsenal’s tactics and style have come under fire, including criticism from former West Ham and Newcastle boss Alan Pardew, who last week accused Arteta’s men of putting on a “functional display” and suggested their perceived time-wasting should mean any league title would come with an “asterisk”.

Into the last-eight