What PSG star said about Newcastle United atmosphere puts ‘subdued’ Arsenal fans to shame

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Newcastle United are desperate for a return to the Champions League. 

Indeed, Newcastle United had a brief taste of Champions League football for the first time in a generation last season and are on the cusp of a quick-fire return. 

Eddie Howe’s side sit third in the Premier League and will secure qualification if they can ensure they remain in the top five during what remains of the campaign. 

Qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition would be huge for the club. Newcastle could earn £17million by reaching the Champions League, and it would no doubt help them convince their existing key players and potential transfer targets that St James’ Park is the place to be. 

Even aside from all that, however, it would just be brilliant to be involved in huge nights again. Newcastle thrashed Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 in October 2023, which brings their semi-final first-leg win over Arsenal on Tuesday night into focus somewhat.  

Wayne Rooney’s dig at Arsenal fans after PSG defeat

Much has been made about a lack of atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium.

Pundit Wayne Rooney was critical of Gunners fans when speaking after their defeat, which was sealed by an early strike from Ousmane Dembele at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite a big build-up before the game, Rooney believes the home supporters could have done more to give Mikel Arteta’s side more energy.

Speaking to Amazon Prime, Rooney said: “I was a bit disappointed with how they played and the fans as well. Against Madrid they were excellent but today they were subdued and it was an anticlimax. The fans had to be there tonight. On both sides, it wasn’t good enough from Arsenal.” 

PSG stars were blown away by Newcastle ‘noise’ in Champions League thrashing

That is in stark contrast to what PSG midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery said about the atmosphere at St James’ in 2023.  

Zaire-Emery claimed Newcastle “shut” PSG down while claiming there was “a lot of noise” from the supporters within the ground.

Admittedly, there is a difference to a group stage game and a tense semi-final, but Newcastle’s ground was equally as rocking for the Carabao Cup semi against the Gunners back in February.  

It’s also worth mentioning on balance that PSG have vastly improved since but that still takes nothing away from what Newcastle did that night. It was still a team boasting Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Achraf Hakimi and Gianluigi Donnarumma in its ranks.

However, the France international – speaking shortly after his team had been thrashed – said (via PSG’s official website): “It’s true they shut us down.  

“There was a lot of noise. But I don’t think that should destabilise or even put pressure on us. We’re going to look at what we did wrong on video to try and improve things and to become the best team we can be.”