Wayne Rooney shares what he told Everton’s players at half-time during Arsenal defeat

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Everton were battered 5-1 by Arsenal on their last outing.

Wayne Rooney has told Monday Night Football, which was broadcast on Sky Sports on 5th February, that he laid into Everton’s players at half-time of their match against Arsenal.

Everton went into the break 4-0 down at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, and they could have been even further behind.

Everton were in awful form, as Arsenal tore them apart time after time.

Rooney was powerless to affect proceedings on the pitch, as he was not given a chance to start in the contest.

However, the experienced forward tried to motivate the side at half-time.

“I said at half-time to the lads that I was embarrassed sat on the bench because the performance was not good enough for what we want and how we can play,” Rooney said.

“We have to go out and show some pride and just try and win the second half, we knew the game was over. We had to try show some pride and I thought we done that in the second half.

“It’s something I naturally do. It’s something I’m comfortable doing. I like to think I know the right things to say in certain situations and I was just trying to help.”

Everton did improve after the break, with the introductions of Tom Davies and Dominic Calvert-Lewin having some impact.

Everton managed to pull one goal back against Arsenal, before the Gunners struck a fifth to complete the scoring.

The manner of the Toffees’ defeat has led to serious questions being asked of Allardyce.

Everton are currently in 10th place in the Premier League table, after what has been a disappointing campaign so far.

Rooney could return to the Toffees’ starting line-up at the weekend, when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.