Arsenal exit the Champions League after a 3-1 aggregate loss despite a dominant display in Paris
Mikel Arteta believes his Arsenal side were the best team in this season’s Champions League—despite crashing out in the semi-finals to Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners, chasing a first final since 2006, fell short in Paris, losing 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg at the Emirates, Arsenal started brightly at the Parc des Princes. Declan Rice headed wide early, and both Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Ødegaard forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into fine saves. Bukayo Saka also tested the Italian keeper, who stood like a wall throughout.
But PSG punished Arsenal’s profligacy. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring before Achraf Hakimi fired in a second, leaving Arsenal needing three to go through. Though Saka netted late to reduce the deficit, it wasn’t enough.
“We were very close—much closer than the result showed,” said Arteta post-match. “100%, I don’t think there’s been a better team than us in this competition.”
The Arsenal boss praised his side’s overall performance but was left ruing missed chances and Donnarumma’s brilliance. “When you analyse both games, the MVP has been the same player—the goalkeeper,” he said. “This competition is about the boxes, and in both boxes, PSG were better.”
Arteta described the mood in the dressing room as emotional: “The players were in tears. It hurts, but we have to deal with that. I’m so proud, but so upset and annoyed we couldn’t turn it around.”
PSG boss Luis Enrique disagreed with Arteta’s assessment. “Mikel’s a great friend, but I don’t agree at all,” he said. “We scored more, and that’s what matters in football. Arsenal were tough opponents, but we deserved the final.”
Arsenal’s expected goals (xG) of 3.14 told the story of chances created—but not converted. Despite that dominance, the result means the Gunners will finish the season trophyless for a fifth consecutive year. Arteta, who won the FA Cup in 2020, has now come up short in both the Premier League and Champions League for two straight seasons.
Pressed on whether his team can remain motivated after repeated near-misses, Arteta referenced PSG captain Marquinhos. “With fear, you cannot play football at the highest level,” he said. “Look at Marquinhos—11 times he’s tried to win this competition, and maybe this is the year. That’s what it takes.”
While Arsenal’s young squad has grown under Arteta, this defeat will sting. For a second straight year, the team delivered excellence without silverware. The question now is whether Arteta’s project can finally produce trophies—or if near-glory will define his legacy.
Despite the loss, Arsenal’s performance in both legs suggested progress. They created more chances, played with more flair, and at times overwhelmed PSG. But football, especially at this level, rarely rewards dominance without ruthlessness.
Arteta will now turn his attention back to the Premier League run-in. But with their European dreams crushed and another season slipping away trophyless, the pressure to prove he can go from nearly-man to winner only grows heavier
