Ian Wright urged Arsenal fans to celebrate reaching the Champions League final in full, despite criticism from pundit Wayne Rooney.
Mikel Arteta’s side booked their place in the showpiece in Budapest on 30 May with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Atletico Madrid.
Bukayo Saka’s first-half tap-in in Tuesday’s semi-final second leg was enough to propel the Gunners to the final after a 1-1 stalemate in the first leg, putting them a step closer to a first Champions League title – as well as in the driving seat in the Premier League title race.
Saka’s goal at the Emirates Stadium sparked wild celebrations and fans flooded the pitch at full-time to celebrate with the players, leading to criticism from Rooney.
He said on Amazon Prime: “They deserve to be in this position, but they haven’t won it yet. I think the celebrations are a little bit too much. Celebrate when you win.”
Former Arsenal star Wright was quick to respond, posting a video to social media in which he said: “Arsenal fans, let me tell you something: enjoy this. The celebration police will be out in force, do not get nicked!
“Enjoy yourselves, football’s about moments and this is a big moment. Enjoy it and let’s hope that in the final and after the final we have another massive moment. It’s a great day!”
Midfielder Declan Rice was also quick to encourage celebrations, telling Amazon Prime after the win: “I don’t think you can underestimate what we have done in this competition up to this point.
“We have every right to celebrate that moment. The most prestigious competition in club football. We are just trying to soak it all in.
“We knew coming into the game what was at stake. If you can’t get up for that, then you can’t get up for any game of football.
“When we went 1-0 up, I knew we were going to win. I could feel something special building.”
The atmosphere at the Emirates has occasionally come under criticism in recent seasons for failing to replicate the kind of vocal support enjoyed at other team’s home grounds.
But a superb atmosphere was created from before kick-off on Tuesday night as supporters greeted the team bus with flares and chants, the first time that has happened, and Arteta paid tribute to that warm reception afterwards.
He said: “It was an incredible night. We made history again together and I cannot be happier and prouder for everybody that’s involved in this football club.
“The manner that we [were] received outside the stadium was special and unique. The atmosphere, our support has created the energy, the way they managed every ball with us… I never felt that in the stadium [before].
“We knew how much it meant to everybody… the boys did an incredible job and after 20 years and a second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final.”