Head coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal react after the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final match between PSG and Arsenal at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France on May 7, 2025. Mustafa Yalcin / Anadolu (Photo by MUSTAFA YALCIN / ANADOLU / Anadolu via AFP)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists his team were the best in the Champions League this season, despite crashing out to PSG in the semi-finals.
Defiant Arteta Says Arsenal Were Best Team in Champions League Despite Painful Exit
By Mulembe Times Sports Desk | May 8, 2025
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has boldly claimed that his side were the best team in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, despite their semi-final elimination at the hands of French giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Speaking after Arsenal’s 2-1 loss in the second leg in Paris — which confirmed a 3-1 aggregate defeat — Arteta said his team had played superior football over the two legs and deserved more from the tie.
“I’m incredibly proud of my players. Over the two matches, I honestly think we were the better team,” said the Spaniard in his post-match press conference. “We created more chances, controlled long periods of play, and showed great character. Unfortunately, football is sometimes cruel.”
PSG, led by head coach Luis Enrique, secured their place in the final after a gritty second-leg performance at Parc des Princes. Goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi put them 2-0 up before Bukayo Saka pulled one back for the Gunners. Despite a missed penalty from PSG’s Vitinha and several late chances for Arsenal, the Premier League side fell short.
Arteta, though, was defiant in defeat.
“They took their chances well — that’s what football is all about. But if you look beyond the scoreline, we matched them in every department. We’ve shown we belong at this level and we’re not far away.”
The result ends Arsenal’s hopes of reaching a first Champions League final since 2006, when they lost 2-1 to Barcelona. This season’s semi-final run marked their deepest progression in the tournament in nearly two decades and underscored the team’s resurgence under Arteta.
Arteta also referenced the team’s earlier group-stage performances, where Arsenal topped a challenging group and looked dominant in their knock-out clashes against Napoli and Bayern Munich.
“Our journey has been incredible. We played with courage and identity — that’s something that can’t be measured on the scoreboard alone,” he stated.
Despite their exit, Arsenal’s campaign has been widely regarded as a success. Several young players, including Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and William Saliba, have stepped up on the European stage, and the team has shown tactical maturity against some of the continent’s biggest clubs.
Arteta also praised PSG, acknowledging their experience and efficiency in crucial moments.
“They’re a very good side. They’ve been here before, and they showed composure. I have great respect for Luis Enrique and what he’s built with that squad,” he said.
Looking ahead, the Arsenal boss expressed confidence in his team’s future in Europe.
“This isn’t the end — it’s just the beginning. We’ve taken huge steps forward this season, and we’ll come back even stronger. Arsenal will be a force in Europe for years to come,” Arteta promised.
Meanwhile, PSG will now face Inter Milan in the final on May 31 in Munich, as they aim to secure their first-ever Champions League title.
Despite the heartbreak, Arsenal fans have much to be optimistic about. The club’s consistent performances in both the Premier League and Champions League signal a new era of competitiveness — and Arteta appears determined to turn promise into silverware in the near future.
