UCL: They’re leaving massive gaps – Rooney slams three Arsenal stars after PSG defeat

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has criticized three Arsenal players for leaving massive gaps in the midfield during their UEFA Champions League 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

According to Rooney, the likes of Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, and Mikel Merino were ‘all over the place’ during Arsenal’s Champions League defeat to PSG.

The former England international also criticized Arsenal supporters for not giving the Gunners enough home support against the French Ligue 1 champions at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal were largely outplayed in front of their own supporters in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Ousmane Dembélé scored the game’s only goal in the first half after just four minutes, silencing the home crowd.

Speaking at full-time, Rooney expressed disappointment with Mikel Arteta’s men and Arsenal fans.

Rooney told Amazon Prime: “For Arsenal, I was disappointed with how they played, but I was a bit disappointed with the fans as well.

“It was an anti-climax for Arsenal, beating Real Madrid and thinking they were going to walk into the final of the competition.

“The fans had to be there. The players have to show up, of course, but on both sides, it wasn’t good enough tonight.

“The players need help. I thought the fans here against Real Madrid were absolutely fantastic. The best I have ever heard them at the Emirates.

“I thought tonight they did not give them that same energy. 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 brought against Real Madrid, that might have lifted the players by five percent.”

He added, “The midfield three [Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, and Mikel Merino] for Arsenal are all over the place.

“They are trying to press the ball at every opportunity, and they are leaving massive gaps, like you see for the first goal.”

Arsenal’s next game is against Bournemouth in the Premier League this weekend.

UCL: They’re leaving massive gaps – Rooney slams three Arsenal stars after PSG defeat