Arteta adamant Arsenal have been the Champions League’s best side despite PSG exit | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has said there has not been a better team than Arsenal in the Champions League this season despite his side’s semi-final exit.

Arsenal exited Europe on Wednesday night after a 2-1 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners were beaten in both legs by the French champions, who will face Inter Milan for the trophy on May 31st.

Arsenal had chances in Paris, with Declan Rice heading wide early on. Bukayo Saka spurned a gilt-edged chance late in the contest, while Gianluigi Donnarumma was forced into some superb saves.

PSG were the more threatening side, however, and after opening the scoring through Fabian Ruiz’s deflected drive were in control. Bradley Barcola missed a good chance one-against-one, while David Raya saved Vitinha’s poor penalty to keep Arsenal in the game. However, Achraf Hakimi’s brilliant goal sealed PSG’s progress, with Saka’s reply little consolation.

Despite Arsenal’s elimination, Arteta believes his team have been the Champions League’s finest outfit this season.

Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “First congratulations to PSG for reaching the final. The assessment I will make when I am a little cooler.

“When you look at the two games their best player on the pitch has been the goalkeeper, he has been the difference for them in the tie. We were very close, much closer than the result showed but unfortunately we are out. I am very proud of the players.

“After 20 minutes it should have been 3-0. There is something extra you need to go your way in the competition and it didn’t. We were very close and for long periods of both games we were much better than them but we are not there and that has to hurt.

“If we want to win this competition we have to realise that. There are certain things that are on us. You shouldn’t just be understanding we are out. That is not the way I look at it.

“100% I don’t think there’s been a better team [than Arsenal] in the competition from what I have seen, but we are out. This competition about the boxes and in both boxes are the strikers and the goalkeepers and there’s was the best in both games.

“I am so proud of the players. They deserve a lot of credit for what they are doing in the context of the situation and the amount of injuries, probably the worst state you could arrive here as a team. To come here with a different context and still do that, it gives me a lot of positives for the future but tonight I am very upset.”

Read – When is the 2025 Champions League final? Date and venue for PSG vs Inter

See more – Keown questions how PSG can be beaten as Arsenal exit Europe

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