Former Deportivo La Coruna goalkeeper Peter Rufai has slammed Arsenal’s gutless display against Atletico Madrid in the Thursday’s first-leg 1-1 semi-final result at the Emirates.
Rufai derided the Gunners’ lack of aggression and said he was disappointed they couldn’t rise to the occasion for their outgoing Manager, Arsene Wenger against a 10-man Atleti.
The Spanish side were reduced to 10-men in the opening 10 minutes of the game and held out until just past the hour mark when Alexandre Lacazette scored from a header.
Arsenal did not take full advantage of their numerical strength and in minute 82 they were made to rue their lack of purpose.
Another French forward, Antoine Griezmann, punished Arsenal after a defensive gaffe by captain Laurent Koscielny.
In his post-match analysis on Brila FM, Rufai praised the fight Atleti put in for 90 minutes despite being on the back foot for the most of the match.
‘Atletico Madrid have the never say die attitude. They did not quit. And I am disappointed with how Arsenal played.
‘It is what you impart in a child they come out to give. I expected Arsenal to come out and play with determination and aggression. They should have played this game like it was a final; do it for their Manager, Arsene Wenger.
‘That was lacking in their game Tonight and it is hard to say that after the gift they were handed with the red card, at the end of 90 minutes you can’t say they even deserved a draw,’ Rufai opined.
