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Arsenal's iconic former boss Arsène Wenger had little sympathy for Wayne Rooney's criticism of the Gunners' celebrations following Tuesday's Champions League semifinal triumph over Atlético Madrid.
Joining the latest wave of the celebration police, Rooney took umbrage with Arsenal's substitutes rushing onto the pitch at the final whistle, clusters of embracing players naturally gathering around the dejected Atlético players after a hard-fought 1–0 victory in north London.
The hosts' standout midfielder, Myles Lewis-Skelly—who handled his new (at senior level, at least) position impressively—wasn't even alive the last time Arsenal made it to a Champions League final.
A Champions League night at the Emirates (2026) https://t.co/I3dht5YGMc pic.twitter.com/SZqWJy0pF5
Observing the jubilation from the sidelines at the Emirates, the former Manchester United striker couldn't resist questioning the emotional outburst. "They haven't won it yet," he plainly stated during Amazon Prime Video's broadcast coverage.
"I think the celebrations are a little bit over the top. Celebrate when you win ... but no, they deserve it."
Wenger, the only Arsenal manager prior to Arteta to guide the club to a Champions League final, held an entirely different perspective.
Wenger: 'It's Absolutely Normal'
Wenger was never a particularly expressive manager on Arsenal's touchline—in contrast to Arteta, who paces and gestures well beyond his technical area throughout every match. Yet even the composed Frenchman couldn't begrudge his successors letting their emotions run free.
"They celebrate well tonight which is normal but you want to focus already on the final and the next games," Wenger commented during beIN Sport's coverage. "The celebration is deserved and happiness is normal—absolutely normal—but the next step is to go to the final and win it."
Arsenal reached the 2006 Champions League final on the back of an ironclad defense. Wenger's squad kept 10 consecutive clean sheets on the road to the showpiece event in Paris against Barcelona, who didn't break through Arsenal's resolute backline until the 76th minute. Arteta has adopted a strikingly similar blueprint this season.
Tuesday's clean sheet against Atlético was Arsenal's ninth shutout in 14 Champions League matches this campaign. David Raya has faced an average of fewer than three shots on target per game in European competition this season, easily the finest record across the continent. Atlético managed to force the Gunners' goalkeeper into just two saves before sliding toward yet another European exit.
"I think Arsenal wanted it a bit more than Atléti and they were more decisive in the duels," Wenger assessed. "We said before the game that to reach the final they needed to be solid defensively and they didn't concede a goal tonight. They faced a team who for 45 minutes absolutely had to score and were given no opportunity whatsoever.
"I believe it shows how defensively strong and disciplined Arsenal are, as well as highlighting some of Atlético's limitations, who were not effective enough in the final third. Ultimately it's a thoroughly deserved win for Arsenal, there's no question they were the superior side across both legs."