ARSENAL are out of the Champions League following a 3-1 aggregate defeat to PSG in the semi-finals.
After a frantic start, the Parisians took total control when Fabian Ruiz’s thunderbolt gave the hosts a 2-0 lead in the tie.
In the 69th minute, PSG were handed a controversial penalty, but David Raya came to Arsenal’s rescue as the Spaniard kept out Vitinha’s woeful spot kick.
Moments later, the Gunners did fall further behind after Achraf Hakimi slotted home to make it 3-0 on aggregate.
Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal hope with more than a quarter of an hour to play, but it wasn’t to be for Mikel Arteta’s side as PSG head to Munich to face Inter Milan in the Champions League final later this month.
- Match result: PSG 2-1 Arsenal (AGG 3-1)
- PSG team: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz, Doue, Barcola, Kvaratskhelia
- Arsenal team: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Merino, Saka, Martinelli
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Hakimi hails ‘genius’ Enrique
Achraf Hakimi played another starring role for Paris Saint-Germain, and then paid tribute to the manager who has led them to the final showdown in Munich.
The Moroccan right-back scored the important second goal at the Parc des Princes, but was quick to shine the spotlight on his Spanish coach afterwards.
Having lost some star individuals, Enrique has rebuilt the club to produce a young, exciting side that play together as a team more than any other PSG outfit in recent memory.
Luis Enrique has done an incredible job since he’s arrived. He’s created a fantastic team, and there’s a lot of work that goes into doing that. He’s a master. He’s a genius.
Achraf Hakimi
Gunners starved of semi success
After elimination in Paris, Arsenal have now failed to progress from each of their last four major cup semi-finals.
It is the club’s their longest ever losing run at this stage of competitions, and all four exits have come under the management of Mikel Arteta.
- 3-2 agg defeat v PSG (Champions League, 2024-25)
- 4-0 agg defeat v Newcastle (League Cup, 2024-25)
- 2-0 agg defeat v Liverpool (League Cup, 2021-22)
- 2-1 agg defeat v Villarreal (Europa League, 2020-21)
Saka makes mark on biggest stage
It wasn’t to be for Arsenal but Bukayo Saka did at least give the Gunners hope late on – and something to celebrate too.
In scoring, Saka brought up his 10th Champions League goal in what is just his 18th appearance in the competition.
The only Englishman to reach 10 goals in fewer Champions League games is Harry Kane (12).
Odegaard: We gave our all
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard believes his side did all they could in the cauldron of the Parc des Princes.
Speaking after the Gunners’ Champions League semi-final elimination, the midfielder revealed he was proud of the team’s effort, adding that fine margins at either end were the difference.
We gave it a proper go. We started the game really well, were on the front foot, had the momentum and created a few big chances. In the end, it wasn’t enough. I think between the boxes we did well, and then inside the boxes we weren’t good enough over the two legs. Credit to their goalkeeper, who made some great saves.
Martin Odegaard
Donna go all the way
It’s been a difficult couple of seasons for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, but performances like tonight will go a long way to restoring his reputation as one of the best in the world.
The Italian made superb stops to deny Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, helping to keep a rampant Arsenal at bay in the opening 20 minutes at the Parc des Princes.
History-making Myles going places
Myles Lewis-Skelly was given a difficult night by PSG’s stellar attack, but that shouldn’t take away from what is a fabulous personal achievement.
At 18 years and 223 days, the left-back became the fifth-youngest player, the youngest English player, and the youngest player for an English club, to start both legs of a Champions League semi-final.
Arteta: Donnarumma was the difference
Mikel Arteta believes his Arsenal team would be in the Champions League final had it not been for the heroics of PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Italian stopper made a series of fine saves over the two legs, and was at his best when Arsenal started on the front foot at the Parc des Princes.
Firstly, congratulations to PSG for reaching the final. The assessment I will make when I am a little cooler. When you look at the two games, the best player on the pitch has been their goalkeeper. He has been the difference for them in the tie. We were very close, much closer than the result showed but unfortunately we are out. I am very proud of the players.
Mikel Arteta
201 and out for Arsenal
So Paris Saint-Germain have reached just their fourth major European final.
The Parisians reached the 1996 and 1997 Cup Winners’ Cup finals, winning the first of those, and then made 2020 Champions League final that they lost behind closed doors in Lisbon to Bayern Munich.
As for Arsenal, they have been eliminated at the semi-final stage of Europe’s premier competition for the first time since 2008-09.
Tonight was their 201st match in the Champions League, the most of any club who have never lifted the trophy.
Match stats from the Parc des Princes
Arsenal produced an xG of 3.14 tonight, the most by a team against Paris SG in a Champions League game this season.
Their 19 shots were also their most in a knockout match since having 20 away at Barcelona in March 2016.
The Gunners went down fighting.
Full time – PSG 2-1 Arsenal (Agg: 3-1)
It’s all over! Paris Saint-Germain are off to Munich in three weeks to face Inter Milan in the final of the Champions League.
As the fireworks begin again, the Arsenal players sink to their knees, but they can at least take solace in a committed second leg performance.
“I think Arsenal did enough to get something from tonight,” says Ally McCoist. “But I’m not sure it was enough to win the tie.”
PSG will prepare for their second Champions League final, while Arsenal will turn their attentions back to the Premier League and ensuring they finish second so that they can return to the biggest European stage again next term.
PSG 2-1 Arsenal (Agg: 3-1)
90+4. Arsenal’s season is close to a conclusion, but they have beaten over two legs by a fabulous football team.
PSG will take some stopping in the final.
PSG 2-1 Arsenal (Agg: 3-1)
90+2. Trossard makes room for himself in the box after cutting in from the left.
For a moment, the path looks clear, but as the Belgian gets his shot away, a sea of PSG defenders dive across to block.
PSG 2-1 Arsenal (Agg: 3-1)
90. Five minutes of additional time are signalled by the fourth official.
The Gunners now need something remarkable, something of Lucas Moura proportions to progress.
PSG 2-1 Arsenal (Agg: 3-1)
88. That man Kvaratskhelia wins a throw-in with a determined tackle, and responds by whipping the crowd up.
I’m not sure these home fans need much incentive, mind you. They’re two minutes plus stoppages away from another Champions League final.
PSG 2-1 Arsenal (Agg: 3-1)
86. Now Saka goes into the book.
The England international isn’t too sure why, but he’s been penalised for a challenge on the halfway line.
UEFA and Opta suggest it’s for dissent, but I can’t imagine that – he’s a lovely boy.
PSG 2-1 Arsenal (Agg: 3-1)
84. Calafiori and Kvaratskhelia are both booked for a barney off the ball, and it’s exactly the kind of thing that teams trying to run the clock down love to see.
More time ticks away, and Munich is in sight for Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG 2-1 Arsenal (Agg: 3-1)
82. Mikel Arteta’s lack of attacking options are being highlighted here.
Riccardo Calafiori has already been introduced, and now Ben White is on with Arsenal desperate for goals.
PSG 2-1 Arsenal (Agg: 3-1)
79. Saka again!! Yes!!
No!! It’s over!! Somehow, Bukayo Saka has missed an open goal from 10 yards out!!
The Arsenal star gets on the end of a whipped cross from Calafiori on the left, only to steer it over the crossbar with the goal gaping.
Whether it was the pace of the delivery, the dive of Donnarumma before him or the fact that he was leaning back, it was a chance you would expect Saka to score every single time.
How different this upcoming 10 minutes could have been.
PSG 2-1 Arsenal (Agg: 3-1)
76. No more than a consolation or the start of something special?!
Bukayo Saka has Arsenal on the scoresheet for the first time in the tie, and maybe, just maybe…
Substitute Leandro Trossard outmuscles Marquinhos on the left, and with the PSG players appealing for a foul, referee Felix Zwayer waves play on.
The Belgian centres for Saka, who gets some good fortune with a kind bounce off Willian Pacho and then Lucas Hernández, allowing him to tap into an empty net.
Late hope!
PSG 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 3-0)
74. “Arsenal are playing for the badge now,” says Martin Keown on TNT Sports commentary.
PSG 2-0 Arsenal (Agg: 3-0)
72. Achraf Hakimi spells the end of Arsenal’s Champions League campaign!
PSG’s marauding right-back makes his mark in the opposition penalty area once again, finishing with the aplomb of a top-level centre-forward time after time.
Here he takes advantage of a lacklustre challenge from Thomas Partey to nip, receive a tidy lay-off from substitute Ousmane Dembele, and steers into the far corner beyond David Raya.
It’s a goal that almost takes the roof off the Parc des Princes, and has PSG heading to Munich to take on Internazionale.
Game over!
PSG 1-0 Arsenal (Agg: 2-0)
70. Arsenal must take advantage of that Raya save, and they have to do it now.
Otherwise, it’s game over.
PSG 1-0 Arsenal (Agg: 2-0)
69. David Raya saves Vitinha’s penalty!
It’s an awful spotkick from the Portuguese midfielder, who stutters in the slowest of run-ups before rolling it softly towards the bottom right corner.
That would have sealed this semi-final tie, but the midfielder’s miscue means Arsenal still have hope to cling to.
Raya is congratulated by his teammates, but quickly reminds them that they have a huge job to do!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
