Saturday’s 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest – following a 1-1 draw after extra time – was not just a painful ending to a remarkable season. It was a clear signal of where Arsenal still need to grow.
Mikel Arteta was honest in the aftermath. His side had 25 percent possession against PSG and managed a single shot on target across 120 minutes. Penalty misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel ended their hopes of writing a new chapter in the club’s history.
“We need to do better, we’ll have to improve and find different margins to get the outcome that we want,” said Arteta.
The gap between the two sides in attack was the defining feature of the evening. PSG’s forward line – Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue – was simply in a different category. PSG scored 45 goals in the competition, matching the all-time record set by Barcelona in 1999-2000.
Arsenal, by contrast, have built their campaign almost entirely on defensive excellence and set-piece efficiency. They did not lose a single match before the final and conceded just seven goals across 14 games. But Arteta acknowledged that approach, while effective, has a ceiling.
“What they are able to do with the ball, with individual actions, I haven’t seen it,” he said of PSG. The implication was clear – Arsenal need to reinforce in the summer.
Last year they brought in Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke – yet all four started the final on the bench. Kai Havertz led the line and scored, but Arsenal’s attacking options alongside Bukayo Saka remain a clear area for development.
The good news is that Arteta has already identified what needs to change.
“We want to reach another level and we’re going to have to show that ambition – very fast and very smart,” he said.
The Premier League title parade takes place in London on Sunday. Budapest will sting for a while. But Arsenal will be back.
– AFP
Photo: REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
