Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta conceded that Paris Saint-Germain, the Champions League victors, are the top team globally following his team’s loss in the final through a penalty shootout on Saturday. PSG secured the Champions League title for the second consecutive year after a 1-1 draw in extra time led to a 4-3 shootout triumph.
Expressing his emotions, Arteta mentioned feeling only “pain” and acknowledged that his Arsenal squad, who claimed the Premier League championship this season, did not match the level of the French champions, who showcased dominant ball possession throughout the match.
Speaking to the press in Budapest, Arteta praised PSG and their coach Luis Enrique, labeling them as the best in the world. He commended their exceptional ball control and individual skills, noting their ability to dictate play even in challenging scenarios where the opponent lacks possession.
Despite displaying resilient defense against PSG’s relentless attacks, Arsenal struggled to maintain possession, with the Ligue 1 champions equalling the record for most goals scored in a Champions League season with Ousmane Dembele’s penalty goal, which canceled out Kai Havertz’s early goal for Arsenal.
Arteta expressed dissatisfaction with the decision not to award Arsenal’s Noni Madueke a penalty when the score was tied at 1-1 but acknowledged the need for further improvement if they aspire to win the Champions League. This final marked Arsenal’s second appearance in the competition’s ultimate stage, twenty years after their initial defeat against Barcelona in Paris.
Despite guiding Arsenal to the English title after a 22-year gap during his nearly seven-year tenure, Arteta emphasized the necessity for ongoing transformation. He highlighted the escalating competition standards each season, emphasizing the need to learn from the current setback, utilize it as motivation for enhancement, and adapt to the elevated quality across European football.
