Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge disagree as Arsenal stars blamed for PSG defeat

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney put the blame on Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice for a defensive error in the moments before Ousmane Dembélé opened the scoring for Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

It was a close-fought affair in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final between the Gunners and PSG with just a fourth minute Dembélé strike separating the two teams. The prolific forward, who has 33 goals in all competitions this term, found space on the edge of the box and fired home past David Raya.

Arsenal did have the ball in the net shortly after half time through Mikel Merino but that goal was chalked off for offside after a lengthy VAR check. The Gunners will now head to the French capital next week looking to overturn the one goal deficit.

Wayne Rooney: Declan Rice makes ‘wrong decision’ for Arsenal

Speaking on Prime Video after the game, Rooney analysed the PSG goal with some harsh words for £100 million man Rice. The England international had been pivotal in beating Real Madrid and earned plaudits for his brace of free kicks in the first leg of the quarter-final.

Rooney said: “I think this is a really good pass, it breaks the lines and then Dembélé gets the ball and driving at the Arsenal defence, then he plays it wide. Arsenal have enough time to recover and I think Declan Rice just makes the wrong decision here. He comes and thinks he’s trying to cover of course, that’s what’s on his mind to cover his teammate, but leaving the space on the edge of the box is where the danger is with Dembélé.

“In the quarter finals, semi finals and final of the Champions League, it’s the details you’re talking about. That’s what wins you or loses you the competition. I think today Arsenal just didn’t get a lot of the details right and that’s what’s cost them the game.”

Daniel Sturridge points to Mikel Merino error

However, Rooney’s punditry colleagues didn’t agree with that analysis. Former Liverpool and Chelsea man Daniel Sturridge was the first to interject. The 35-year-old was more determined to put blame on Merino than on Rice.

He said: “I don’t look at that goal and say it’s Declan Rice’s fault. On the other side, Merino makes a defensive run back and by the same token, ran into a position and not toward the ball. Merino goes to press and is out of position, he makes the run back, tracking back to the penalty spot and not towards the ball to affect what is going to happen.

“The cutback is there and, by the same token, you can see Rice is going over to help so if my mate is going to help in the other position... you see Merino now, he’s just worrying about getting back into position and not where the ball is played.”

In other news, Liverpool transfer 'priority' emerges in blow to Arsenal and Chelsea.