Wesley Sneijder took aim at Ben White as Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid to succeed in the Champions League final on Tuesday night.
Mikel Arteta’s side are within the Champions League final for the primary time since 2006 as Bukayo Saka’s goal on the stroke of half-time sealed a 1-0 win against Atletico on the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal will meet either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich, who play the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday evening.
Sneijder, meanwhile, highlighted the absence of Jurrien Timber, who has missed Arsenal’s last 11 games because of a groin injury, and claims Arteta will struggle to win the Champions League because of an absence of squad depth.
‘You’ve gotten Timber in your squad, and you think that, ‘that’s a great full-back, he’s going to assist me’. Then he drops out for a very long time after which you may have to slot in White… Timber wouldn’t even let him tie his shoelaces,’ Sneijder told Ziggo Sport.
‘Arteta cannot field two squads, other teams can. So I don’t think that’s justified.’
‘For years, you may have had Liverpool and City in England that you may have to compete against. They’ve significantly better players. And in Europe, there are various even higher players. He [Arteta] is solely doing a formidable job together with his team.’
Speaking at half-time, Sneijder was lower than impressed with what he saw within the opening 45 minutes on the Emirates.
‘I said after 35 minutes that UEFA must intervene,’ Sneijder said throughout the break.
‘They should call London, ‘just get off the pitch, each of you, and the ultimate can be played tomorrow’. We knew this was going to occur. Atletico in a block, dropping back, and Arsenal having a whole lot of possession.’
But following Arsenal’s victory, Sneijder heaped praise on Arteta for guiding Arsenal to the ultimate in Budapest on May 30.
‘I can’t say it often enough, people, but he really deserves a statue already,’ Sneijder said.
‘With this team, it’s so impressive to succeed in the ultimate. Leaving all the opposite world-class teams behind you. I believe that may be very impressive.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the most recent news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Arsenal consider shock summer move for Man Utd star after Kobbie Mainoo approach
MORE: Vincent Kompany responds to Mikel Arteta ‘different worlds’ comment
MORE: Bukayo Saka knows ‘deep down’ who Arsenal wish to play in Champions League final