Mikel Arteta Insists Arsenal Were the Best Team in the Champions League Despite PSG Loss

Arsenal’s Champions League heartbreak continues as PSG claims victory—Arteta insists his side were the best despite an emotional dressing room aftermath.

Arsenal’s Champions League heartbreak deepens with a 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, sealing a 3-1 aggregate loss. Despite the result, manager Mikel Arteta passionately defended his team, insisting that Arsenal had been the best side in the competition and deserved much more from their campaign.

Speaking after the match, Arteta expressed his frustration, stating, “I don’t think there’s been a better team in the competition from what I’ve seen, but we are out.” He emphasized that Arsenal had created 4.77 expected goals across the two legs but struggled to convert their chances, largely due to the brilliance of PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made crucial saves throughout the tie.

The emotional toll of the defeat was evident in the dressing room, where Arteta revealed that his players were in tears after the match. He described their overwhelming disappointment, saying, “Today I see how much my players wanted it because they were in tears.” The loss was particularly painful given Arsenal’s resurgence under Arteta, marking their first Champions League semi-final appearance in 16 years.

Arsenal started the match with intensity, forcing Donnarumma into two fine saves within the first 15 minutes. However, PSG capitalized on their chances, with Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi scoring decisive goals before Bukayo Saka netted a late consolation for the Gunners. Arteta lamented that the tie was ultimately decided in the penalty boxes, where PSG’s efficiency proved decisive.

Despite the heartbreak, Arteta remains optimistic about Arsenal’s future. He praised his squad’s resilience and progress, highlighting their ability to compete at the highest level. With Arsenal finishing second in the Premier League for the past two seasons, the club is determined to build on their success and push for silverware in the coming years.