‘That has to harm’ – Arteta displays on Champions League exit to PSG

Mikel Arteta says elimination from the Champions League semi-final by the hands of PSG “has to harm” his gamers if they’re to in the future win the competitors.

The Gunners fell on the penultimate hurdle after a 2-1 loss within the second-leg on the Parc des Princes – 3-1 on combination – because the French champions march on the face Inter Milan in Munich within the closing.

Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi gave PSG management of the tie in Paris however solely after a blistering begin from the guests that noticed keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma pull off a string of spectacular saves early on.

Vitinha noticed a penalty saved by David Raya shortly earlier than Bukayo Saka pulled one again for Arteta’s males with 15-minutes remaining.

The England winger then squandered a wonderful likelihood to scale back the deficit additional nevertheless it was Luis Enrique’s facet who advance to contest the largest trophy in European membership soccer.

Maintain your heads held excessive, Gooners.

We’ll be again. pic.twitter.com/96aKCnO7Go

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) Might 7, 2025

Whereas gracious in defeat, Arteta believes his crew have been the higher of the 2 over the course of the tie.

“To begin with, [I want to] congratulate PSG for reaching the ultimate. The evaluation I’ll make after I’m a bit bit cooler, however the suggestions I received right away from their bench was we have been significantly better than them,” stated the Arsenal boss.

“If you have a look at the 2 recreation who has been their finest participant on the pitch? It has been their goalkeeper.

“He’s made a distinction for them within the tie. And I believe we have been shut. A lot nearer than the end result exhibits. However sadly we’re out.

“I’m very happy with the gamers. What we did at the moment, the best way we began, how we dealt with the strain. After 20 minutes it ought to be 3-0. However there’s something wanted within the competitors to go your manner and it didn’t [for us].”

Arsenal at the moment are set for an additional trophyless season – their fifth in a row. And Arteta thinks his gamers must be taught from the ache of defeat so as to finish their silverware drought.

“I’m upset. Sure, we have been very shut. Sure, for lengthy durations of each video games we have been significantly better than them,” stated Arteta.

“However we’re not there and that has to harm. If we need to win this competitors, and go there, now we have to understand that.

“There are specific issues which might be on us. Understanding that we’re out will not be the best way I have a look at it.”