Featured Image Credit: Prime Video
Topics: Wayne Rooney, Arsenal, PSG, Champions League, Football
Luke Davies
Topics: Wayne Rooney, Arsenal, PSG, Champions League, Football
Wayne Rooney made an honest comment about both Arsenal’s players and supporters after the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat against PSG in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday evening.
Rooney, 39, was part of Prime Video’s live broadcasting team alongside fellow ex-professionals Clarence Seedorf, Daniel Sturridge and Theo Walcott as well as host Gabby Logan.
Ousmane Dembele’s early strike was enough to send the away side back to Paris with a one-goal advantage ahead of the second leg at the Parc des Princes on May 7.
“I think they [PSG] were by far the better team,” Rooney said when speaking on Prime Video.
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“I think tactically they were excellent, organised, patient.
“[I was impressed] with how they pressed on Arsenal’s goal kicks.”
Rooney added: “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."
This comes after Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta urged fans to get behind the team and to "bring their boots" and "play every ball together" in a press conference on Monday (April 28).
Ex-Arsenal winger Walcott, 36, also gave his take on the home side's lacklustre performance, he said: "Arsenal are still in the game. If it was 2-0 then it would potentially kill the tie. PSG will be disappointed it's only one."
Seedorf went one step further and explained how the Gunners need to "shift mentality" in order to win the tie.
“The fear kicked in today, I’ve always said they need a shift in mentality to elevate themselves,” claimed Seedorf. “I saw PSG doing what I expected Arsenal to do: knowing when to press high, go low and just sit back and wait for the opponent to force a pass, then counter-attack. This is how you have to play in the Champions League.”