We are in good form – Arteta
By Emmy Tundez
A
rsenal’s dream of reaching their first UEFA Champions League final since 2006 came to a heartbreaking end on Tuesday night, as Paris Saint-Germain claimed a 2-1 win in the second leg to progress 3-1 on aggregate.
Despite showing intent and resilience at the Parc des Princes, the Gunners were ultimately undone by clinical finishing and another standout performance from PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Goals from Fabián Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi sealed the French champions’ second-ever place in the final, where they will meet Inter Milan. Bukayo Saka pulled one back late for Arsenal, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.
Mikel Arteta’s side came into the second leg needing to overturn a 1-0 home defeat but were chasing the game again when Ruiz opened the scoring in the 27th minute, following an early warning from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, whose curling strike hit the post. Arsenal pushed back in the second half, and Saka was twice denied—first by Donnarumma’s fingertip save and later after missing a golden chance from Riccardo Calafiori’s cross.
Though David Raya briefly kept Arsenal in the tie with a penalty save from Vitinha, Hakimi’s precise finish in the 72nd minute widened PSG’s lead. Saka’s goal four minutes later gave Arsenal a sliver of hope, but the French side held firm to book their spot in the final.
A visibly emotional Arteta praised his players despite the defeat: “We were very close, much closer than the result showed,” he said. “I am very proud of the players. I don’t think there’s been a better team in the competition, but we are out. This competition is about the boxes—and in both boxes, their players were the difference.”
The Arsenal boss admitted the dressing room was full of tears post-match, revealing his own frustration at not being able to turn the tie around.
“We were very close—much closer than the result showed,” he said. “I am very proud of the players. From what I’ve seen, I don’t think there’s been a better team in this competition than Arsenal. But this is football, and it’s decided in both boxes. Their goalkeeper and their finishing made the difference.”
The Spaniard also revealed that emotions ran high in the dressing room, with players in tears following the final whistle. Arsenal were aiming to reach their first Champions League final since 2006.
PSG manager Luis Enrique respectfully disagreed with Arteta’s claim that Arsenal were the best side in the competition. “We scored more goals, and that is the most important thing in football,” he said. “Arsenal played a great match, and we suffered, but we deserved to reach the final.”
With the victory, PSG advance to face Inter Milan in the final, continuing their pursuit of a first-ever Champions League title. For Arsenal, the wait goes on—but their spirited run and exciting performances throughout the tournament have won them admiration across Europe.
