Rooney: Forget the aesthetics—Arsenal’s winning formula under Arteta is exactly what rivals can’t handle | OneFootball

Wayne Rooney has defended Arsenal amid criticism of the club's brand of football.

Arsenal have faced criticism in recent weeks for their style of football, with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler claiming his team were the only side who 'tried to play football' during a recentPremier League meeting between the teams.

The German criticised Arsenal's 'time-wasting' before and after their encounter. According to Opta, Arsenal have taken the longest time taking corners on average of all Premier League clubs this season, at 44.5 seconds.

“I will never be that kind of manager who tries to win in that way," Hurzeler said.

"Of course, every team will manage and waste time but there has to be a limit and the limit has to be set by the Premier League. The limit has to be set by the referees. At the moment, they [Arsenal] just do what they want."

Arsenal have emerged as arguably Europe's best set-piece team under Mikel Arteta, whose side have scored a record-equalling 16 goals from corners in the Premier League this season.

The North Londoners are currently top of thePremier League table and remain in contention for four trophies, ahead of facing Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League this week.

Speaking on theBBC's Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney said winning games is all that matters and praised Arteta for maximising an approach that opposition teams 'can't deal with'.

"The last league title we won we weren't great as a team, but no one is going back to that now saying: 'Oh, that Man United team who won that last title weren't great," Rooney said.

"I don't think they've been as bad as what people are saying, I really don't.

"I'm not saying this because I like Arsenal, I'm saying this because I think it's very unfair, the criticism they are receiving for being, what, seven points top of the league? If teams can't deal with it, do it more. That's what I'd be doing if I was Arteta.

"Their focus is just trying to win games in any way possible and when you're going for the title I don't think you have to worry about how anyone thinks about how you play, as long as you win."