Arteta: Arsenal Were Best Team in Champions League Despite Loss

Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal were the best team in the Champions League despite their semi-final exit to PSG, citing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma as the difference-maker in the tie.

Mikel Arteta remains proud of Arsenal's Champions League campaign, insisting they were the best team in the competition this season despite their semi-final exit to Paris Saint-Germain. Arsenal lost 2-1 in the second leg at the Parc des Princes, sealing a 3-1 aggregate defeat. Arteta's comments reflect his confidence in the team's progress and potential for future success.

Arsenal suffered a disappointing loss, despite dominating early possession and creating several scoring opportunities that were thwarted by exceptional saves from PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi's goals gave PSG a comfortable lead, and although Bukayo Saka scored for Arsenal, it wasn't enough to mount a comeback.

“I'm very proud of the players. We were very close, much closer than the result showed but unfortunately we are out.

“After 20 minutes it should have been 3-0. We were very close and for long periods of both games we were much better than them but we are not there (in the final) and that has to hurt.”

Arsenal's exit highlights issues with clinical finishing and defensive lapses, as they were punished for mistakes in both penalty areas. Mikel Arteta acknowledged these shortcomings, emphasizing the need for improvement to win the competition.

“If we want to win this competition, we have to realise that there are certain things that are on us,” Arteta said. “You shouldn't just be understanding we are out. That is not the way I look at it.”

“I don't think there has been a better team in the competition.

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal has been the best team in the UCL even after their loss vs. PSG. pic.twitter.com/5IrCPcudPA

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“This competition is about the boxes, and in the boxes are the strikers and the goalkeeper. He (Donnarumma) was the best player in both games.”

Arsenal's Champions League dreams were dashed once again, and the club's trophy drought continues, with their last win being the 2020 FA Cup. Injuries to key players significantly impacted their Premier League title chase against Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta reflected on the season's challenges, emphasizing the need for improvement to succeed in the future.

"We're much better than them. You look at the two games... the best player on the pitch has been their goalkeeper."

Mikel Arteta didn’t hold back in his post-match take 😳 pic.twitter.com/aeHP94TvRt

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Despite the loss, Mikel Arteta remains optimistic about Arsenal's future, praising his players for their efforts against a strong PSG side that had previously eliminated Liverpool and Aston Villa.

“The players deserve a lot of credit for what they are doing in the context of the situation and the amount of injuries, probably the worst state you could arrive here as a team,” Arteta said, highlighting the resilience and determination of his squad despite adversity.

“To come here with a different context and still do that, it gives me a lot of positives for the future but tonight I am very upset.”