Arsenal’s hopes of reaching the Champions League final took a hit after a 1-0 home loss to Paris Saint-Germain, and criticism has poured in not just for the team’s performance but also for the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium.
The reaction has been strong, with pundits and fans alike calling out the lack of energy in the stands and the disappointing pre-match tifo.
The match began on a sour note for Mikel Arteta’s side, as Ousmane Dembélé found the net just four minutes into the game. PSG’s early goal stunned the home crowd and gave the French side a crucial advantage to carry back to Paris for the second leg at the Parc des Princes next week.
As soon as the match ended, attention turned to the Emirates crowd and the club’s pre-game efforts to create a charged atmosphere. Arsenal had unveiled a large tifo of a cannon suspended from the North Bank roof, and brought back the “make it happen” banner in the East Stand. However, many felt these efforts fell flat.
Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor didn’t hold back in his reaction. He questioned the energy of the home supporters and mocked the tifo’s appearance, saying it looked amateurish. He also pointed out how players like Martin Ødegaard, goalkeeper David Raya, and even manager Mikel Arteta were trying to urge the crowd to get louder during the match, describing it as a desperate attempt to rally support.
Arsenal fans had earlier created a vibrant atmosphere during their 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the quarter-final at the same venue, but the same energy was missing this time around. Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney echoed the disappointment, commenting on the noticeably flat vibe from the stands despite the high-stakes nature of the match.
Critics compared the Emirates atmosphere unfavorably to legendary European nights at other clubs. Examples like Liverpool at Anfield and Celtic Park were cited as benchmarks where fans lift their teams with loud and consistent support throughout key matches.
There was also some frustration directed toward Arsenal captain Ødegaard. Some felt that while he was actively encouraging the crowd, he needed to let his performance on the pitch do the talking. As Arsenal chased an equaliser without success, the energy seemed to drop even further, both on and off the pitch.
Arsenal now face a tough challenge in Paris, needing to overturn the one-goal deficit against a confident PSG side. While the team still has a chance to reach the final, questions remain over whether the home crowd can play the role of the twelfth man when it matters most. For now, both the result and the reception have left fans and former players asking whether the club did enough to rise to the moment.