Arsenal fans are facing heavy criticism for unveiling what pundits are calling a “horrendous” tifo ahead of their 1-0 Champions League semi-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.
The Emirates display, meant to rally the Gunners for their biggest European night in years, quickly became a talking point for all the wrong reasons. Ousmane Dembele silenced the home crowd with a goal just four minutes in, while the home support failed to bounce back.
Former England striker Wayne Rooney called the atmosphere “subdued,” but ex-Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor went even further on talkSPORT Breakfast:
“That tifo was like something my seven-year-old would make at school. It was embarrassing. The atmosphere was flat. I saw Odegaard and Arteta practically begging the fans to sing.”
Agbonlahor also slammed the club for failing to create a proper spectacle:
“It’s a Champions League semi-final where was the fire? Liverpool at Anfield? Electric. Villa Park? Electric. Arsenal? Flat. You can’t expect your players to perform when the stadium’s whispering.”
Arsenal’s woeful record in semi-finals continues winless in their last 7 across all competitions, failing to score in the last six.
The Gunners now face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday before their must-win second leg in Paris on Wednesday.
