Former Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder has stirred debate after delivering a harsh assessment of Arsenal’s semi-final win over Atletico Madrid, suggesting the game fell short of elite European standards.
Sneijder said after the game that the level of play did not reflect a Champions League final; hence, the game lacked quality and should have been stopped before halftime.
Despite Arsenal barely winning, Sneijder questioned the caliber of Mikel Arteta’s squad, saying that the team lacks truly world-class players. But he commended the manager’s work, highlighting that it is an outstanding success to drive Atletico back with the present roster.
The News Chronicle reports that Atletico manager Diego Simeone took a different attitude, praising his team’s effort and toughness throughout the game while acknowledging Arsenal’s right to move on. Rather than blaming official decisions, he highlighted the positive aspects of their cause.
The attention now turns to Budapest, where Arsenal will play either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the championship match. Even though critics like Sneijder remain unconvinced, the North London side is now only one match away from making history on Europe’s biggest stage, with belief growing among players and fans alike.
