- Criticises ‘subdued’ Emirate Stadium atmosphere in Gunners’ 0-1 loss to PSG
Manchester United legend and football pundit, Wayne Rooney, has slammed Arsenal’s fans for delivering a ‘subdued’ atmosphere at Emirates Stadium as the Gunners went down 0-1 against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in their Champions League semi-final first leg encounter on Tuesday night.
Speaking after the Coach Mikel Arteta men put up what he described as ‘disappointing’ display against the visiting Parisians, Rooney had no kind words for Arsenal players and their supporters, noting that they all failed to rise to the occasion.
Rooney, who expressed his disappointment with the Arsenal players’ efforts on the pitch, also slammed the fans for being unable to create an intimidating atmosphere for the visitors at the Emirates.
He told Prime Video: “For Arsenal, I was a bit disappointed with how they played, [I was] disappointed with the fans as well, I think the fans against Real Madrid were excellent. I thought tonight they were a bit subdued… almost like an anti-climax because Arsenal beat Real Madrid, that they are going to walk into the final [and] win the competition.
“The fans had to be there for them tonight. The players had to show up for them, of course, but on both sides, it wasn’t good enough tonight for Arsenal.”
The former England international, however, heaped praise on PSG saying; “I think they [PSG] were by far the better team. I think tactically they were excellent, organised, patient. [I was impressed] with how they pressed on Arsenal’s goal kicks.”
On Tuesday night, PSG’s Ousmane Dembele gave the English side and their teeming supporters a bitter pill to chew inside the Emirate Stadium.
The re-born French forward’s brilliant left-footed strike inside the box at about the fourth minute of play handed the Luis Enrique’s side an important 1-0 victory in the away leg of their Champions League clash against the Gunners.
In fact, PSG could have increased their tally towards the end of the match when Bradley Barcola failed to find the back of the net from close range, while Goncalo Ramos’ powerful shot came off the crossbar.
Putting the defeat behind them. Mikel Arteta’s men will be back in action this Saturday against Bournemouth in the Premier League before jetting off to Paris on Wednesday, 7th May, hoping to turn things around in the second leg cracker with hosts, PSG. – With Goal.com report
