Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has expressed his disappointment after his side fell short in the UEFA Champions League final, admitting the Gunners missed their chance to claim the club’s biggest prize.
Heading into the showdown against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest, Arsenal were already celebrating a successful campaign after ending a 20-year wait for the Premier League title.
Their supporters hoped the season would conclude with a historic European triumph.
The north London club made a dream start at the Puskas Arena when Kai Havertz put them ahead in the seventh minute.
However, PSG responded through Ousmane Dembele, who converted from the penalty spot to restore parity.
Neither side could find a winner during regulation time or extra time, forcing the contest into a penalty shootout.
Arsenal’s hopes were dashed when Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes failed to convert their spot-kicks, allowing PSG to secure a dramatic victory.
Reflecting on the defeat, Arteta praised his players for their efforts throughout a challenging season.
“I’m so proud of them. I think this season that we have had, under the circumstances that we’ve been through, they have given us so much joy.
“It’s a privilege to manage these players. I think the way they carry this badge and how much they put into it, we’ve got a big one, and we missed out on the biggest one.”
Despite the heartbreak of losing on Europe’s biggest stage, the Arsenal boss urged perspective, highlighting the significance of the club’s achievement in reaching the final.
“We haven’t done it for 22 years, so can you imagine and it’s only the second time in our history that we have done it.”
