Former Arsenal star hits back at celebration police amid Premier League and Champions League pursuits

And, on Tuesday night, they booked their place in the Champions League final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid.

After that result, Arsenal players and staff members celebrated wildly. Fireworks boomed around the Emirates Stadium, with the club dreaming of a spectacular end to the campaign.

Some critics have, however, suggested that their celebrations have been too much. Wayne Rooney, for example, suggested that they should have reserved them for the final instead.

Yet former Gunners striker Aliadiere, speaking exclusively to GB News via Premier League winner odds, has now hit back.

"Yes it has been over the top, for sure," he said when asked about the celebrations. "You look at Arsenal in the Champions League. They have not lost a single game.

"In the Premier League they are top. They score plenty of goals and look at different ways to score as well. So definitely the criticism is too much."

Back in 2004, Arsenal won the Premier League without losing a single game.

It is a remarkable achievement, one that hasn't been done since despite sides like Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Leicester all winning the title in the years that have followed.

Aliadiere says that, if Arsenal complete a double, it'll become the best Gunners side in history.

"Yes, I believe it would be," he continued.

"We’ve had seasons of winning the FA Cup and Premier League, and the [2004] invincibles, but this achievement would top that given they're the top two trophies you would want to win.

"Arsenal have really fought back after the Manchester City loss last month and losing in both domestic cup competitions, so full credit to Mikel and the squad for not listening to the outside noise, concentrating on the job in hand and now being very close to making history for the club.

"It is so close now, but Arsenal still have to beat West Ham this weekend, which, after such a big moment, they will have to be fully focused.

"And with players back like [Bukayo] Saka and [Martin] Odegaard, this can help rotation in what was a tough game against Madrid."

Since replacing Unai Emery in 2019, Mikel Arteta has won just one trophy.

Other managers who have more have found themselves being axed, such as former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.

Aliadiere, however, doesn't think Arteta has been fortunate to get time.

"Not at all. He was building all the time and look where the team are right now," he continued.

"You can’t come in and expect instant success with the squad we had.

"Other teams had far better players and Arsenal weren’t anywhere near the level of challenging for the title, or even in the Champions League at all.

"So there was trust the process and look what Mikel has delivered year in, year out with such a consistent approach to the game. The patience was worth it."

Despite their impressive results, Arsenal have faced criticism this season for their style of play.

Aliadiere thinks it's merely jealousy, however, and that there will always be some 'noise' around the big clubs.

"When you win you get all the plaudits and rightly so, when you lose it can be different and criticism can come," he explained.

"I don’t think they get disrespected at all. You hear from a lot of people around Europe and they applaud what Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are doing, so this is where you really need to look at experienced football people, who understand the game.

"It’s just some noise here in UK you shouldn't listen to."