Wenger not interested in Rooney issue

Arsene Wenger has enough to worry about at Arsenal than concern himself too much on whether Wayne Rooney will leave Manchester United.

Speculation is rife the England striker will not sign a new contract and is on his way out of Old Trafford in January following a dip in form as his relationship with manager Alex Ferguson comes under scrutiny.

Despite Rooney’s recent off-field issues, there would be no shortage of suitors were the 24-year-old to come onto the market, with Real Madrid said to be a likely destination.

Wenger, though, refused to be drawn as whether it would be a deal which could interest Arsenal.

“What I make of it is that I have enough problems here not to be involved in that,” said the Gunners boss, speaking ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk at Emirates Stadium.

“We are not in a transfer period at all.

“We are in front of a big Champions League game and for us it is very important to focus on that.

“Then again, any little incident at Manchester United or Arsenal becomes a big story, but it doesn’t mean that there is something real behind the story.

“Maybe yes, maybe no – but I don’t know enough to be involved in that.”

Wenger, however, maintained even if Rooney were to leave United, it would not necessarily make their title challenge any weaker.

“Chelsea won the championship last year. Rooney was at Manchester United and that didn’t stop Chelsea from winning the championship,” the Arsenal manager said.

“What is important is that you perform well.

“What we have learned since the start of the season is that the games we lost, we could have won, and that the team who wins the title will be the most consistent one because everyone will drop points.”

Meanwhiel Wenger said he does not believe Liverpool will get relegated but has warned that climbing the table could be a slow process.

Roy Hodgson admits his side are in a “predicament” after they were left second bottom in the Barclays Premier League following a 2-0 defeat by Merseyside rivals Everton.

Liverpool, who have been through a turbulent ownership battle, have won just once in the Premier League this season and gone six matches in all competitions without a victory, with the glory days at Anfield now very much in the distance past.

Wenger, though, believes the Reds will turn things around, even though it could be a slow and difficult journey.

“I don’t think they will go down because they are too good a team, but we are in a sport where you go quickly down and slowly up,” said the Gunners boss.

“We are in a human sport and that makes it very fragile. Confidence is very important at our level and it goes very quickly.”