Arsenal reached the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years after beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the second leg of the semi-final courtesy of Bukayo Saka's goal
Wayne Rooney speaking at the Emirates Stadium
Wayne Rooney had a cheeky dig at Arsenal(Image: Amazon Prime)
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Wayne Rooney has hit out at Arsenal for going over the top with their celebrations after they beat Atletico Madrid to book their place in the Champions League final. The Gunners secured their spot in the showpiece event in Budapest by edging out Diego Simeone's side 1-0.
Bukayo Saka's sharp finish from a rebound was enough to seal a 2-1 aggregate victory in the semi-finals. After Mikel Arteta's men dug deep to protect their narrow advantage, the Emirates Stadium erupted into a wave of jubilation and raw emotion.
Arsenal's players, coaching staff and backroom team flooded onto the pitch in scenes of pure elation, as the ground went into raptures. Yet while the moment was enough to give any football fan goosebumps, the former England skipper was far from bowled over by the festivities.
Speaking on Amazon Prime, Manchester United legend Rooney began by praising Saka, saying: "I thought he was very good tonight. I thought Arsenal tonight were very efficient in their performance.
"They got the goal and defensively, I thought they were brilliant, the two central defenders were excellent. They deserved it, they've played well all season.
"In the Premier League and the Champions League, they deserve to be in this position."
As the cameras kept cutting to the jubilant Arsenal fans and players, Rooney then took a swipe, saying: "They haven't won it yet. I think the celebrations are a little bit too heavy. Celebrate when you win...but no, they deserve it."
Mikel Arteta manager / head coach of Arsenal and Leandro Trossard of Arsenal celebrate after the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on May 05, 2026 in London, England
Players, coaching staff and fans did not hold back in their joy(Image: 2026 Catherine Ivill - AMA)
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Rooney, who won the Champions League and reached three finals throughout his career, may well have been tongue-in-cheek with his remark. But even had his comment been broadcast over the tannoy, it would have done little to dampen the jubilant atmosphere in north London.
Tuesday night marked the first occasion Arsenal have made it to the Champions League final since the 2006 showpiece. In 2009, Rooney was also part of the United side who beat the Gunners 3-1 in north London to reach the Champions League final.
Ji-Sung Park scored and Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace as United ran out 4-1 winners on aggregate at the Emirates Stadium over Arsene Wenger's side. Rooney looked back on that occasion and admitted the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium now, compared to then, is completely different.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United celebrates scoring the 0-3 goal with teammate Wayne Rooney during the UEFA Champions League 2008-09 semi-final second leg soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Arsenal Stadium in London, United Kingdom, on May 5, 2009
In the 2009 Champions League semi-final, United overcame Arsenal 3-1 to secure a 4-1 aggregate triumph(Image: Domenic Aquilina/NurPhoto)
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Later on, after he was asked if he still felt the celebrations were too much, punditry colleague Daniel Sturridge jokingly butted in and said "I bet you're fun at Christmas," to which, Rooney laughed: "I don't like Christmas."
Last season, Arsenal were knocked out by PSG at the semi-final stage, with the French giants going on to claim the title by demolishing Inter Milan 5-0. Arteta's men could yet face Luis Enrique's side again in the final.
They hold a slender 5-4 advantage over Bayern Munich, with Vincent Kompany's team hosting the reigning European champions in the second leg on Wednesday evening.