Wayne Rooney Issues Warning to Injured Arsenal Duo as Hale End Pair Stars in Seven-Goal thrashing of PSV

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Arsenal delivered a convincing performance in the first leg of their Champions League match, defeating PSV Eindhoven 7-1, as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli missed the game due to hamstring injuries.

Arsenal delivered a resounding 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash. The match, held at the Philips Stadion, saw the Gunners’ Hale End academy products, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, shine brightly on the European stage.

Despite the absence of key players Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli due to hamstring injuries, Arsenal’s youthful lineup stepped up to the challenge. Wayne Rooney, who was present at the match as a pundit for Prime Video, issued a stern warning to the injured duo, emphasizing the difficulty they might face in reclaiming their spots in the starting lineup upon their return.

Rooney praised the performances of Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly, highlighting their contributions to the team’s success. Nwaneri, the 17-year-old sensation, scored one of the goals, while Lewis-Skelly, 18, provided a crucial assist. Rooney remarked, “The young lads have come into the team and been fantastic. It’s all about momentum. When you have an injury and you’re out for a long period of time, you need to work your way back into the team. Of course, they’re top players and will have a big chance of getting back into the team. But if these lads keep doing what they’re doing and keep shining, it’s not going to be as easy as people think”.

The match saw a flurry of goals from Arsenal, with Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard, and Riccardo Calafiori all finding the back of the net. PSV’s lone goal came from a Noa Lang penalty kick. The victory not only showcased Arsenal’s depth but also raised hopes for their Champions League campaign.

Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott also weighed in on the situation, advising caution in rushing Saka back from his injury. “Bukayo, they’ve got to be careful with him. When you’ve been out for a long period of time, it can take time to get back to the level you expect. They won’t want to push Bukayo that fast,” Walcott said.