WAYNE ROONEY has hit out at Arsenal both on and off the pitch after Tuesday’s loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Gunners fell to a 1-0 defeat against the French giants in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had issued a rallying call for a deafening atmosphere in North London.
But an early goal from Ousmane Dembele quietened the crowd, with the players unable to find a leveller.
The game was Arsenal’s first semi-final in the competition since 2009.
But Rooney – who appeared in three Champions League finals – didn’t believe the atmosphere lived up to the occasion.
Working as an analyst for Amazon Prime, the England legend said: “For Arsenal, I was a bit disappointed with how they played.
“[I was] disappointed with the fans as well.
“The fans against Real Madrid really pushed the team. I thought tonight they were a bit subdued.
“The players need help, I thought the fans against Madrid were absolutely fantastic.
“The best I’ve ever heard them at the Emirates.
“I thought tonight they didn’t give them that same energy.
Arsenal ratings vs PSG as Raya saves keep Gunners in it and poor Odegaard subbed off
ARSENAL face an uphill battle next week.
The Gunners suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in their all-important Champions League semi-final home leg.
Ousmane Dembele stunned the Emirates Stadium into silence when his first-time shot hit the post and bounced over the line just three minutes into the match.
After a nervous start, it took the Gunners around 20 minutes to settle.
But when they did, the momentum began to swing in their favour.
Just moments into the second half, Mikel Merino finally put the ball in the net – only for it to be chalked offside after a lengthy VAR check.
And Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard forced worldy saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
David Raya then produced stunning stop from Goncalo Ramos as the Gunners held on at 1-0.
It’s not over – there is still at least 90 minutes to be played.
But away from home, it will not be easy.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated Arsenal’s stars on the night…
“In big games, in massive semi-finals of the Champions League, maybe that might be the difference. So maybe they have to give a little bit more.
“Arsenal fans have been through a lot I know.
“But maybe if they brought the same energy they bought against Real Madrid that might have lifted the players by five per cent.”
PSG were far superior, for me, in this game.
Thierry Henry
Rooney also singled out Arsenal’s midfield at half-time, taking aim at Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard.
Thomas Partey missed out through suspension for the Gunners, with Rice dropping back to take his place as a No6.
Rooney said: “The midfield three for Arsenal are all over the place.
“They are trying to go press the ball at every opportunity and they are leaving massive gaps, like you see for the first goal.
“They are leaving big gaps in behind and PSG will punish them.”
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry covered the game for CBS Sports.
And he pulled no punches in declaring PSG were the better team from the first minute.
Henry said: “PSG were far superior, for me, in this game.
“A lot needs to be changed for Arsenal to make sure that they can beat PSG. It’s going to be a different ball game.
“There is another tie, you never know what’s going to happen.”
Read the full article here
