Paris Saint-Germain are Champions League winners for the second consecutive season after beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Budapest – and the Arsenal manager was generous in his assessment of the victors.
“I want to congratulate PSG and Luis in particular because in my opinion they are the best in the world,” Arteta told reporters. “What they are able to do with the ball, with individual actions, I haven’t seen it before. It’s not a plan to play in certain scenarios when you don’t have the ball – they force you to do that. So even more praise to the players.”
Arsenal had under 25 percent possession throughout – defending resolutely against relentless PSG pressure for large portions of the match.
Kai Havertz gave Arsenal an early lead before Ousmane Dembele’s second-half penalty levelled proceedings, with PSG’s goal equalling the all-time record of 45 in a single Champions League campaign. The tie went to extra time and then penalties, where Arsenal ultimately fell short.
Arteta was unhappy with a penalty claim for Noni Madueke going unawarded with the scores level but refused to hide behind it.
“All I feel is pain,” he said.
This was Arsenal’s second Champions League final – 20 years after their first defeat against Barcelona in Paris.
For Arteta, who has transformed the club since taking charge nearly seven years ago and delivered a first league title in 22 years this season, the night was a marker of how far they still need to go.
“The same progression we had in the last few years – we’re going to have to do that over again. You have to go through that pain, digest it and turn it into fuel.”
PSG retain the Champions League. Arsenal will be back.
– AFP
Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images
