Arsenal take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday with a 3-0 aggregate lead and Wayne Rooney has angered a handful of fans with his picks for a combined XI
Wayne Rooney has infuriated Arsenal fans after making a series of controversial picks for his Arsenal and Real Madrid combined XI ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg. The Gunners have travelled to the Spanish capital hoping to progress to the semi-finals after picking up an incredible 3-0 first leg win.
Arsenal dazzled against the reigning European champions at the Emirates as they kept the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham quiet, while Declan Rice stole the headlines with two fabulous free kicks.
Supporters should feel confident in the second leg after the team showed their huge quality against the La Liga side and some Arsenal fans have been angered by Rooney leaving out so many of their players.
Rooney was asked to build his combined XI by picking between a selection of players in a match-up as his chose Thibaut Courtois over David Raya before an even split in defence.
But fans were baffled that he picked Lucas Vasquez – a makeshift right-back for Madrid – over Jurrien Timber, as he went for Antonio Rudiger over Jakub Kiwior before backing William Saliba over Raul Asencio and Myles Lewis-Skelly over David Alaba.
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There was also question marks over picking Eduardo Camavinga over Thomas Partey – though he did select Rice over Federico Valverde.
He named Jude Bellingham in his team over Martin Odegaard before causing arguably the biggest stir by picking Rodrygo over Bukayo Saka on the right wing. There should be few complaints over Mbappe and Vinicius completing the line-up.
Arsenal fans raged on social media in response to Rooney’s picks as one said: “Not putting in Saka over Rodrygo has got to be one of the worst takes I’ve seen.”
Another said: “Camavinga over Partey… This man is not Ok. [For real], needs to be checked. Rodrigo and Vasquez over Saka and Timber.”
A third added: “Lucas Vasquez in front of Timber is just football malpractice!” while another said: “Saka and Partey make that team everyday of the week.”
Rooney was also teased by fans over his managerial career in response to his choices, as one said: “Finally, I have found out the reason why he is always sacked… poor first team selection.”
Rooney’s combined XI: Courtois, Vazquez, Rudiger, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, Camavinga, Rice, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.
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