Mikel Arteta: Arsenal boss responds to 'celebration police' over Champions League celebrations after Wayne Rooney dig
Arsenal were accused of over-celebrating after reaching only the second Champions League final in their history; Mikel Arteta revealed Pep Guardiola sent him a congratulatory message; watch West Ham vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports on Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm
Friday 8 May 2026 16:45, UK
Mikel Arteta said he will put criticism of Arsenal's celebrations following their Champions League semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid "where it belongs".
Arsenal set up a Champions League final showdown against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30 in Budapest by completing a 2-1 aggregate victory over Atletico at a buoyant Emirates Stadium.
Arteta joined his players on the pitch after the final whistle as they celebrated reaching their first Champions League final since 2006 but the jubilant scenes prompted accusations over over-celebrating.
"They deserve to be in this position, but they haven't won it yet," said former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney on Amazon Prime. "The celebrations are a little bit too much. Celebrate when you win."
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Arteta laughed when the criticism of the so-called 'celebration police' was put to him on Friday. "First of all, I didn't know about it," he said. "You have to respect every opinion and place them where they belong."
Asked where he would place them, Arteta replied: "Where they belong. I don't know. That's not important."
Arteta insisted Arsenal would "deliver what they need to" when they face reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain but insisted his focus is firmly on their Premier League meeting with West Ham, live on Sky Sports on Sunday, as they bid to clinch the title.
"We talked immediately after the game [on Tuesday] that this is great, what a moment, we earned it, and we will have time to prepare and get ready for that final," he said.
"I was in a very high emotional state after the game because we knew what it meant to everybody - our supporters, players and the staff.
"But you have to believe me, my concentration, my focus and my energy was then on West Ham and we made that very clear.
"We have to stay present, live in the moment and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire that we've shown all season and more.
"We are closer and closer, and everything that we do now is going to matter as to whether we win it or not."
Arteta reveals Pep message
Speaking to exclusively to Sky Sports News, Arteta revealed he received a congratulatory message from Pep Guardiola after booking Arsenal's place in the Champions League final.
The pair, who worked together at Manchester City before Arteta's appointment at Arsenal, are vying for the Premier League title but their rivalry didn't stop Guardiola from reaching out.
Asked by Sky Sports News' Dharmesh Sheth if mentors such as Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino and David Moyes had sent messages, Arteta replied: "All of them have been in touch in a really beautiful way and I replied the same thing.
"They are a big part of this as well, because they have helped me to develop, to evolve, to learn from them. I feel a huge gratitude for that.
"I had hundreds of messages from a lot of people, from people that have been in my journey since I was little.
"Back home, from all the clubs, all the managers, obviously a lot of family and friends. It was special.
"You realise how much value a Champions League final has."
Mavropanos fires Arsenal warning
West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos has warned Arsenal that West Ham will be just as fired up as them in Sunday's game at the London Stadium.
The Hammers are battling the drop and face the Gunners knowing a win would take them out of the relegation zone and above Spurs, who play Leeds on Monday Night Football.
"It's a big game but I think we are as hungry as they are, just for different things," the defender, who had a spell at Arsenal earlier in his career, told Sky Sports News.
"It's a game that obviously we have to go for it and one positive is that we play at home because obviously we need our fans in these moments as well to help us.
"We have to make sure that we are going to be ready and we have to go for it because that's our only option."
