Arteta Stands by Claim: Arsenal Were Best in Champions League

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledges team's domestic struggles while standing by his claim of being the best in the Champions League.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reiterated his claim that his team was the best in the Champions League this season, despite being eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals. Ahead of Arsenal's match against Liverpool, Arteta stood by his assertion, emphasizing his team's quality in Europe's top competition. However, he acknowledged that Arsenal had taken a step back in the domestic league.

“100%,” Arteta told reporters on Friday. 

“I've watched it back, seen all the stats. We had the best stats and best goal difference in the semi-final so it is very clear.

“But it's not about the winning probability or what you've merited, it's actually making it happen and making it count.

“When you look at the important stats that normally give you the best platform to win football matches, it's crystal clear who was better.”

Mikel Arteta reflected on Arsenal's Champions League campaign, describing Wednesday's semi-final defeat as ”one of the saddest, but one of the proudest momento” of his tenure. He noted that Arsenal had elevated their game in the competition. In the Premier League, Arsenal trail Liverpool by 15 points, with Manchester City, Newcastle, and Chelsea closely behind, just three and four points adrift respectively.

Nottingham Forest and Aston Forest aren't the teams battling, it's actually Manchester City, Newcastle United and Chelsea.

Aston Villa and other teams are still in the mix for a top-five spot, but Arsenal's focus is on their own league position. With three matches remaining, the Gunners are 15 points behind leaders Liverpool.

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— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 9, 2025

“I think in the Premier League we've done a step backwards. With the points that we have created, it's clear that we haven't done as good as last season, that's obvious,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Art according to reports. He also believes his team was the best in the Champions League this season, despite their semi-final exit to Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged his team's drop in form, noting they've accumulated fewer points than the previous two seasons, when they scored over 80 points each year. Currently on 67 points, Arsenal trails Liverpool's 82. “If somebody's better, you have to approve and accept and try to reach that level,” Arteta said, adding that Arsenal would give Liverpool a guard of honour at Anfield on Sunday, using it as motivation for the next campaign.

Arteta emphasized the importance of ending the season on a high note, saying, “We want to make sure that we make ourselves proud at least to compete and end in the manner that we deserve.”