Rooney: Arsenal must be sick of me

The Manchester United striker has scored more goals against the Gunners than any other side, and is set to face the table-toppers again in the clash at Old Trafford on Sunday

                                                                      

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has teased Arsenal ahead of their vital Premier League clash on Sunday by suggesting that they must be sick of playing against him.

The 28-year-old attacker has scored more goals against the north London club than any other side, and also netted his 100th goal in the Premier League during a 3-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium in 2010.

Rooney claims he will "always remember" the memories, namely his wonder-strike against the club as a teenager for Everton, along with his goal that ended the Gunners' 49-game unbeaten run.

"Arsenal do crop up quite often," the England international told reporters. "It's a bit weird. I'm sure they must be sick of the sight of me at times. That first goal for Everton does seem like a long time ago.

"It was obviously a special goal for me, plus they were 32 games unbeaten. And I will always remember the 2004 game. There had been a lot of hype around it because of what happened the year before with Ruud van Nistelrooy.

"That was as tense as I ever remember it before a game. Arsenal were a fantastic team and it was a great feeling to beat them 2-0 and end that record."

United are currently on an eight-game unbeaten stretch and Rooney believes him and his team-mates can use their momentum to close the gap on table-topping Arsenal.

"It's the perfect fixture for us," he argued. "Arsenal are obviously doing really well but with our current form, so it's a chance for us to get a bit closer in the table.

"I said it before: it will be interesting to see whether they can maintain that because over the last six or seven years they have faded off. Certainly, they seem in a better place. They seem stronger.

"We know we will have to be at our best to beat them but we're capable of that. I've always enjoyed my games against them and it's always been a big game. Hopefully we can get the right result on Sunday."

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