"We Were Much Better Than PSG" – Arteta Heartbroken After Arsenal Crash Out of Champions League

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta shared his sadness and frustration after his team were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain, saying the Gunners were the better side over both legs.

Arsenal lost 3–1 on aggregate to PSG in the semi-finals, despite having long periods of control in both matches. This was Arsenal’s first Champions League semi-final appearance in 15 years, and the players came close to making history — but missed chances cost them dearly.

Speaking after the match to TNT Sports, Arteta said:
“I’m upset. We shouldn’t be out. We were very close, and for long periods of both games, we were much better than them.”

Despite having more possession and more shots in both matches, Arsenal couldn’t find a way past PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was named Man of the Match in both legs.

Arteta added:
“I don’t think there’s been a better team in the competition. We deserved much more in both games.”

PSG punished Arsenal with quick goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi, while Arsenal struggled to finish their chances. Bukayo Saka scored a late goal to give the Gunners some hope, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.

Arteta explained that games at this level often come down to what happens inside the penalty areas:
“This competition is about the boxes — and in the boxes, it’s often the strikers or goalkeepers who make the difference.”

Although Arsenal’s Champions League dream has ended for this season, the team still has a match to play in the Premier League on Sunday against Liverpool. Arteta remains proud of his players and believes they will come back stronger.

“We were better than PSG in many moments,” he said. “But that wasn’t enough. We will learn from this and come back even better.”

With more signings and a hungry squad, Arsenal will have what it takes to reach the top in Europe next season— and they’ll be determined to return and go further next time.