Wayne Rooney takes aim at Arsenal moments after Gunners reach Champions League final
Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid to reach their first Champions League final since 2006
Wayne Rooney criticised Arsenal for excessive celebrations following their progression to just their second Champions League final in the club's history. The Gunners secured a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in Tuesday's semi-final second leg, with Bukayo Saka's maiden goal proving decisive at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta and his squad are now Budapest-bound, and scenes of jubilation erupted as they celebrated with supporters following the final whistle. However, Rooney took issue with the post-match festivities.
Speaking to Prime Video Sport, the former Manchester United striker commented: "They deserve to be in this position but they haven't won it yet. I think the celebrations are a little bit too much. Celebrate when you win!"
Ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger shared similar sentiments. "Over the two legs, there is no doubt that Arsenal were the better team," Wenger remarked on beIN Sport.
"They celebrate well tonight - that is normal, but you want more for them to focus on the final already and the next game. The celebration is deserved, happiness is absolutely normal, but now the next step is to go to the final and win it."
Arsenal legend Ian Wright, however, encouraged fans to savour the moment, reports the Mirror "Arsenal fans, let me tell you something: enjoy this," an elated Wright declared in a video posted on X. "The celebration police will be out in force, do not get nicked! Enjoy yourselves, football's about moments and this is a big moment. Enjoy it.
"And let's hope that in the final and after the final, we have another massive moment. It's a great day, it's a great day!"
The Gunners also have their sights set on Premier League glory, sitting five points ahead of title contenders Manchester City, who still have a game in hand.
Arteta's men head to West Ham on Sunday, before rounding off their league campaign with fixtures against Burnley and Crystal Palace. On the European front, Arsenal will go head-to-head with either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
The showpiece event is set to be held at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday, 30th May. The north London club last graced the Champions League final back in 2006, when they fell 2-1 to Barcelona in Paris.
