Wayne Rooney has said he was “telling the truth” when he claimed Arsenal “are used to” underperforming at crucial points of the season following their 1-0 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.
In their first appearance in the final four since 2009, Mikel Arteta’s side – who seem set to finish a distant second behind Liverpool in the Premier League after the Reds won the title on Sunday – conceded when Ousmane Dembele scored the fourth-minute winner.
“They get to a certain stage and things fall away,” Manchester United all-time top scorer Rooney told Prime Video Sport, adding that Arsenal had experienced the problem for “years”.
“That’s not me being negative – I’m telling the truth, that’s what has happened to Arsenal.”
Full focus on next week for Arsenal 💪#UCLonPrime | @WayneRooney pic.twitter.com/K2Yi01CSTO
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 29, 2025
Wayne Rooney: Arsenal ‘need belief’ vs PSG
Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League in each of the last two campaigns and went out of last season’s Champions League quarter-finals with a 1-0 defeat at Bayern Munich.
Rooney, who produced 15 goals and six assists in 35 games against Arsenal between 2002 and 2018, was a part of the United side who knocked them out on their last semi-final appearance.
Relive the action from Arsenal vs PSG with our live commentary as it happened
“The PSG away fans tonight showed that Arsenal are in for a hostile atmosphere,” said the ex-England striker, looking ahead to the second leg in Paris on May 7 (20:00 BST).
“I hope they go on and win the competition, but they have to go into that game with belief. They have to slow the game down at the right time and, when they get chances, be clinical.”
Patience will be key for Arsenal next week 🔑#UCLonPrime | @WayneRooney pic.twitter.com/IEWInC4Xax
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 29, 2025
Arsenal vs PSG
Paris goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma turned strikes by Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard away in one-on-one situations either side of the break as Arsenal intensified their pressure after a bright start by the visitors.
Arsenal thought they had equalised with their first opportunity of the second half when Mikel Merino headed in Declan Rice’s free-kick, only for the Spain international to be ruled offside following a lengthy Video Assistant Referee review.
Bradley Barcola should have hit the target when the PSG substitute rolled a late shot wide with only goalkeeper David Raya to beat, and Goncalo Ramos then blasted an effort against the crossbar from a similar position inside the box on the right.
Paris have not been invincible at home in their campaign, losing by a goal at home to Atletico Madrid during the league phase and Liverpool in the last 16, but their impressive away display has put them in a commanding position against Arsenal.
The winners of the tie will advance to a final against Barcelona or Inter, who play the first leg of their semi-final in Spain on Wednesday (20:00 BST).
“They have nothing to lose” 😮💨#UCLonPrime | @WayneRooney pic.twitter.com/KLUSRyeWK5
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 29, 2025
How to watch PSG vs Arsenal: TV and online streams
Paris Saint-Germain vs Arsenal kicks off at 20:00 on Wednesday. It can be watched on TNT Sports.
Champions League fixtures: Dates, kickoff times
Arsenal and PSG have never won the competition, although Paris reached the 2020 final and their opponents did so in 2006.
Here’s the full list of Champions League 2024/25 semi-final fixtures. All kick-off times are 20:00.
Wednesday, April 30
Barcelona vs Inter
Doué 🥶#UCL pic.twitter.com/jpKHKJh3KS
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 19, 2025
Tuesday, May 6
Inter vs Barcelona
Wednesday, May 7
PSG vs Arsenal
Champions League semi finals: TV channels
In the UK, Amazon Prime Video will also show the second leg of Barcelona vs Inter on May 6.
The first leg between Inter and Barcelona, on April 30, and the second leg of PSG vs Arsenal, on May 7, will be shown on TNT Sports.
Gabby Logan is leading Prime Video’s coverage, with the likes of former Champions League winners Clarence Seedorf and Daniel Sturridge part of the team.
Commentator Jon Champion will be joined by former England striker Alan Shearer. Find out more about Prime Video’s coverage.
Clinical Nuno Mendes 🥵#UCL pic.twitter.com/rN8W6KWrfz
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 21, 2025
Prime Video is included with a Prime Membership, which costs £8.99 per month or £95 per year in the UK and allows access to thousands of films and shows, including an increasing amount of sports content.
A 30-day free trial is available, and subscribers can sign up to Prime Video on its own for £5.99 per month.
TNT Sports has four TV channels, up to six digital or red-button channels between TNT Sports 5 and TNT Sports 10, as well as TNT Sports Ultimate and TNT Sports Box Office HD. Fans can watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
To find out the schedule for matches on TNT Sports, visit the schedule on TNT Sports’ website. Prices for TNT Sports vary. Visit TNT Sports for full details.
BBC Sport will show the action on BBC One on each matchweek Wednesday from 10.40pm UK time.
As well as its highlights packages, BBC Sport is also providing coverage through BBC Radio 5 Live. Visit BBC Sport’s Champions League homepage for TV and radio details.
🫢#UCL pic.twitter.com/QTTl2gloLR
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 21, 2025
Champions League semi final online streams
TNT Sports will provide live coverage, highlights and more in the UK on discovery+, with a subscription including TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment.
Viewers can stream Prime Video’s coverage on a variety of device via the Prime Video app for iOS or Android.
BBC Sport’s coverage will be available to stream via the BBC Sport website and app and BBC iPlayer. Highlights will be available from 10pm.
This angle of Yamal’s golazo 😮💨#UCL pic.twitter.com/mfv6LHjKuF
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 18, 2025
Champions League final 2025: When is this season’s showpiece?
The final of the 70th edition of the competition will be held on May 31 at the Allianz Arena home of Bundesliga leaders Bayern.
This is the 33rd season since the European Cup became the Champions League.
