Mikel Arteta claims Arsenal were the standout team in the Champions League, despite their defeat to PSG

Mikel Arteta stood firm in his assertion that Arsenal were the finest team in this season’s Champions League, despite their recent exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

The Gunners faced a 3-1 aggregate defeat following a 2-1 loss in the second leg at the Parc des Princes.

This defeat was particularly disheartening for Arsenal, who created a multitude of opportunities in the initial phases but were thwarted by a succession of exceptional saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi placed PSG firmly in the driver’s seat, and although Bukayo Saka managed to net one back, it was too late to instigate a remarkable comeback.

PSG will now advance to face Inter Milan in the final, while Arsenal has to contend with an ongoing trophy drought, which has now reached five years.

In response to the defeat, Arteta displayed defiance, asserting that Arsenal were on par with PSG and that fortune did not favour them against the reigning French champions.

“If you look at both matches, their standout player has been the goalkeeper; he was pivotal for them in this tie,” Arteta remarked.

“I’m immensely proud of the players. We were very close, much closer than the scoreline suggests, but unfortunately we are out.”

“After 20 minutes, it should have been 3-0 in our favour. We were pushing hard, and for lengthy periods in both matches, we were the superior side. Yet, we won’t be at the final, and that stings.”

Yet again, Arsenal paid dearly for a lack of precision in front of goal coupled with untimely defensive lapses.

Even Arteta had to acknowledge that the north London club was punished for mistakes made in both penalty areas.

“If we aim to win this competition, we have to recognise that. There are aspects we must address. It’s not just about accepting our exit. That’s not my perspective,” he stated.

“I genuinely believe no other team has performed better in this competition.”

“Winning this tournament hinges on performance in the boxes, where the strikers and goalkeeper operate. He (Donnarumma) proved to be the best player across both fixtures.”

With their aspirations for a first Champions League title dashed, Arsenal must continue to wait for their next trophy, the last of which was the FA Cup in 2020.

Injuries to key players played a significant role in their inability to challenge Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

Nevertheless, Arteta remains optimistic that his team’s resolute performance against PSG, who have already eliminated Liverpool and Aston Villa from the competition this season, bodes well for the future.

“The players deserve immense credit for their efforts, especially considering the current circumstances and the number of injuries — likely the worst scenario we could face as a team,” he commented.

“To come here under such difficult circumstances and still perform admirably gives me cause for optimism looking ahead, but tonight, I am deeply disappointed.”

Catch up on the match here.