PSG vs Arsenal LIVE: Mikel Arteta makes bold claim after Gunners crash out of Champions League

The Independent

·8 May 2025

PSG vs Arsenal LIVE: Mikel Arteta makes bold claim after Gunners crash out of Champions League

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Did PSG really admit Arsenal were better in UCL semi-final?

Paris Saint-Germain weathered an early Arsenal storm before goals by Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi sealed a 2-1 victory to send them into the Champions League final.

The French champions' 3-1 aggregate triumph means they can now finally win the trophy they crave for the first time when they face Italian heavyweights Inter Milan in Munich on May 31.

Trailing 1-0 from last week's first leg, Arsenal dominated the early stages in the Parc des Princes with PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma making vital saves. The Gunners were made to pay for not taking their chances as Ruiz then slammed home a stunning left-foot shot past David Raya in the 27th minute to double PSG's aggregate lead.

Raya saved Vitinha's poor penalty in the 69th minute, which had been controversially rewarded for a handball, but shortly afterwards Hakimi made it 2-0 on the night with a sweetly-struck shot that gave Raya no chance.

Bukayo Saka replied in the 76th minute and then blazed a glorious chance over the crossbar as the visitors fell short of reaching the final for the first time since 2006.

Martin Odegaard challenges Arsenal to learn from Champions League heartbreak

Martin Odegaard has insisted Arsenal must stick together following their “painful” exit from the Champions League which left them trophyless for another season.

Manager Mikel Arteta revealed the defeat left his players in tears and captain Odegaard said: “It’s very painful to be honest. We started the game really well, on the front foot, took control of the game and created some big moments.

“But again, in the boxes, that’s where the games are decided and we weren’t good enough. That’s where we have to be sharper and more clinical and also not concede the goals like we’ve done.

“We have to stick together, stay strong, and learn from it.”

Martin Odegaard challenges Arsenal to learn from Champions League heartbreak

The Gunners were beaten by Paris St Germain at the semi-final stage.

Jamie Braidwood8 May 2025 11:32

Mikel Arteta comments reveal Arsenal delusion and why other clubs dislike them

On a night when Arsenal couldn’t do enough, there were more of those moments when Mikel Arteta doesn’t help himself.

Paris Saint-Germain had beaten Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate, to only extend this feeling that they are Europe’s most exciting - and probably best - side. Despite that, Arteta came out with the following.

“I don’t think there’s been a better team in the competition”, before saying that was “especially across 160 minutes” of the semi-final. That was on top of the curious pre-game comments where Arteta had said Liverpool had won Premier League with fewer points than his own team had managed in the previous two seasons. A mere glance at points-per-game records illustrated this to be nonsense.

Mikel Arteta comments reveal Arsenal delusion and why other clubs dislike them

Arteta’s claim that Arsenal were the best team in the Champions League brought a reaction after the Gunners were knocked out in the semi-finals by PSG

Miguel Delaney8 May 2025 07:47