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MIKEL ARTETA has claimed Arsenal were the best team in the Champions League and they are “better” than PSG despite losing.The Gunners crashed out in the semi-final 3-1 on aggregate and were left to rue missed opportunities.Mikel Arteta claims Arsenal were better than PSG across both legsGianluigi Donnarumma’s heroics kept PSG in frontCredit: RexBukayo Saka missed an open goal, which could have sparked a late comebackCredit: GettyPSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made a string of vital saves, while Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka missed huge chances to score.Asked for his thoughts post-match, a gutted Arteta said: “Well, first of all, congratulations to PSG for reaching the final.”The assessment, I will make it when I’m a little bit cooler, but the feedback that I got is straight away from their bench is that we were much better than them.”When you look at the two games, who’s been their best player on the pitch, the goalkeeper. He’s made a difference for them in the tie.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I think we were very close, much closer than the results showed, but unfortunately we are out.”I’m very proud of the players, what we’ve done today, the way we started, how we handle the pressure, the amount of pressure after 20 minutes it should be 3-0.”But there is something extra that you need in the competition to go your way and it didn’t.Quizzed on whether his team are progressing, Arteta replied: “100 per cent, I don’t think there has been a better team in the competition so far.Most read in Champions LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”But we are out tonight and we deserve much more in both games.”But this competition is about the boxes, the strikers and a goalkeeper, who was their best player in both games.”‘Spurs does crazy things to people’ – Postecoglou takes swipe at Wenger as Arsenal legend proposes shock rule changeArteta continued: “I’m upset. We were very close for long periods of both games. We were much better than them.”But we are not there and that has to hurt and if we want to win this competition and go there we need to realise that and there are certain things that are on us.”You shouldn’t be just understanding that we are out. It’s not the way I look at it.”Rice was equally disappointed, adding: “It’s gutting. Such a dominant start. If you score one of them chances, the game changes on its head.”It’s the small margins, two mistakes from us and two goals from them. Declan Rice blamed the ‘small margins’ for defeatCredit: AFPArsenal ratings v PSG ARSENAL’S Champions League dream ended in tears as they failed to revolt against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris.The Gunners came flying out of the blocks and tested Gianluigi Donnarumma early, but it seemed it was going to be one of those nights from the get go. And so it proved.Despite early pressure, Arsenal found themselves behind following a Fabian Ruiz volley.Achraf Hakimi then added a brutal second mere moments after David Raya had kept Arsenal in the tie by denying Vitinha from the penalty spot.But Bukayo Saka, who had been denied all night by old nemesis Donnarumma, finally bested the Italian in the 76th minute when he made the most of a deflected cross to round him and fire into the net.With the deficit on the night halved, Saka then had the chance to level the score as he was found free in the middle with an open goal at his mercy.But the winger was unable to keep the ball down once he made contact and saw his effort sail miles over the bar.PSG then saw out the result without further worry to book their spot in the Munich final against Inter Milan.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners in Paris.”It felt like it wasn’t meant to be. Over the two legs we could have scored three or four goals, their goalkeeper has been unbelievable.”In life, you have to lose a few in order to win. You have to overcome some of these setbacks to grow. We’re growing as a team, we need to keep pushing. “PSG have gone through but this isn’t going to define us. “When we get our players back we’re going to be a much stronger outfit. We’ve done the whole season without five or six of our best players.”We’ve given it everything. Everyone fully believed, you could see that from the first whistle, on another night we maybe score two or three. We had the chances we didn’t score and it was a real kick in the teeth. “We really wanted this one, but we will keep pushing. We’re all desperate for it, that’s why we play football. We want to win trophies, but for whatever reason these last two years, it hasn’t been meant to be.Read More on The Sun”We’ve come really close, it’s not good enough, Arsenal deserve to be winning trophies. “It hurts, the boys and the manager, it’s tough. It’s a semi-final, we wanted to be in Munich.”Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesPSG will face Inter Milan in the finalCredit: Reuters More

WATCHING this week’s Champions League semi-finals was the golden ticket for fans.And four West Ham players appeared to agree.West Ham players Max Kilman, Danny Ings and Aaron Cresswell were at Parc des Princes, as was back-up keeper Wes FoderinghamCredit: GettyMartin Odegaard & Co endured Champions League woe as Arsenal exitedCredit: AFPKeen-eyed viewers might have been surprised to see the quartet in the stands as Arsenal took on Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital – a day after Inter Milan completed a 7-6 aggregate triumph over Barcelona.Managers often blame testing midweek trips to Europe for poor Premier League displays just days later.But amid a tough domestic season for the Hammers, their players knew the pressure was off them – and all on the Gunners – who trailed 1-0 for Wednesday’s return leg.Two of the London Stadium stars were former England men in left-back Aaron Cresswell, 35, and 32-year-old striker Danny Ings.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey were joined by ex-Wolves centre-back Max Kilman, 27.And third-choice stopper Wes Foderingham, 34, who has yet to play a senior game since arriving at West Ham last June, was there too.But for most of the season, Europe has been the furthest thing from the Hammers’ minds.Club chiefs sacked manager Julen Lopetegui in January after half a season in the lower reaches of the Prem.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKAnd successor Graham Potter has hardly fared better.With three top-flight games left, West Ham are fourth bottom, albeit safe from the drop.Arsenal fan Micah Richards MISSING from CBS Sports panel for crunch clash with PSG… as he parties with Gooners in ParisThat’s because promoted trio Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton have long been guaranteed to go straight back down.The Hammers’ foursome could afford to wear big grins at Parc des Princes as they saw the Gunners take the strain.They wondered to their seats, seemingly unrecognised by those around them.And one possible answer as to why they had made the trip across the channel loomed large in just the third minute.West Ham legend Declan Rice was in prominent action – with Arsenal’s record £105million buy heading a gaping chance to level the tie off target.PSG stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma soon produced two stunning saves.But Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi fired home to put PSG 2-0 up on the night, 3-0 on aggregate.And Bukayo Saka’s bundled reply on 76 minutes proved in vain.Read More on The SunBut although it was a contrasting night for the Hammers and the Arsenal team they were watching, both sets of players will have to get over their travels in time for massive Prem matches on Sunday.West Ham visit Manchester United, while the second-placed Gunners travel to new champions Liverpool.Arsenal ratings v PSG ARSENAL’S Champions League dream ended in tears as they failed to revolt against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris.The Gunners came flying out of the blocks and tested Gianluigi Donnarumma early, but it seemed it was going to be one of those nights from the get go. And so it proved.Despite early pressure, Arsenal found themselves behind following a Fabian Ruiz volley.Achraf Hakimi then added a brutal second mere moments after David Raya had kept Arsenal in the tie by denying Vitinha from the penalty spot.But Bukayo Saka, who had been denied all night by old nemesis Donnarumma, finally bested the Italian in the 76th minute when he made the most of a deflected cross to round him and fire into the net.With the deficit on the night halved, Saka then had the chance to level the score as he was found free in the middle with an open goal at his mercy.But the winger was unable to keep the ball down once he made contact and saw his effort sail miles over the bar.PSG then saw out the result without further worry to book their spot in the Munich final against Inter Milan.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners in Paris. More

ARSENAL’S Champions League dream ended in tears as they failed to revolt against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris.The Gunners came flying out of the blocks and tested Gianluigi Donnarumma early, but it seemed it was going to be one of those nights from the get go. And so it proved.Arsenal fell to a 3-1 aggregate defeat to PSGCredit: PABukayo Saka scored but then missed a great chance to equalise on the nightCredit: RexFabian Ruiz scored the opener with a sweet volley off his chest before the breakCredit: GettyVitinha was denied from the spot for the first time in his career by David RayaCredit: EPABut Hakimi then added a second to put the tie beyond ArsenalCredit: PADespite early pressure, Arsenal found themselves behind following a Fabian Ruiz volley.Achraf Hakimi then added a brutal second mere moments after David Raya had kept Arsenal in the tie by denying Vitinha from the penalty spot.But Bukayo Saka, who had been denied all night by old nemesis Donnarumma, finally bested the Italian in the 76th minute when he made the most of a deflected cross to round him and fire into the net.With the deficit on the night halved, Saka then had the chance to level the score as he was found free in the middle with an open goal at his mercy.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut the winger was unable to keep the ball down once he made contact and saw his effort sail miles over the bar.PSG then saw out the result without further worry to book their spot in the Munich final against Inter Milan. Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners in Paris.David Raya – 7/10Such was Arsenal’s early dominance, the Spaniard had very little to do.So it would have been even more frustrating to pick the ball out of his net from practically PSG’s first big chance, having watched Kvaratskhelia smack his far post moments earlier.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesHe was in conversation for a few minutes with goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana before the penalty, and it paid off as he tipped it past his left post for a corner.Nothing he could do about PSG finally making it 2-0 three minutes later.French riot police ‘tear gas entire streets’ as fans ‘throw fireworks’ in chaotic scenes before PSG vs ArsenalJurrien Timber – 7The Dutchman was targeted constantly by Kvaratskhelia in the first leg, and struggled as a result. This time, he had a point to prove, and at times he did.Cutting inside with the ball, he was so effective in putting Arsenal in promising positions to attack and tear apart the PSG midfield in the opening 15 minutes.And in defence, Kvaratskhelia barely got a sniff. The one time he did, he curled an effort onto Raya’s post.William Saliba – 7One poor moment was an underhit pass to Kiwior that was pounced upon and nearly converted, but other than that, the Frenchman was a rock in Paris.He was one of the reasons why PSG were not as potent in attack in this second leg, oozing confidence and calm. He did not get many chances to attack a good set-piece, however.Jakub Kiwior – 6Did nothing wrong at the back, but he just does not have the physical presence from attacking set-pieces that the injured Gabriel does.It’s not his fault. No matter how well he plays or how few mistakes he makes, Kiwior will always be compared to the Brazilian, and had he been fit, Arsenal may well be in a Champions League final.On a positive note, if Arsenal are to sell the Pole this summer, his transfer value has now increased significantly having navigated the latter stages of Europe’s biggest competition.Myles Lewis-Skelly – 5A night where the teenager perhaps looked his age, having played for most of his breakthrough campaign like a seasoned pro.He was brilliant at times under pressure on the ball, but then the errors and lapses in concentration appeared, and that’s when he really started to struggle.After PSG went 1-0 up, a poor pass inside his own half handed the hosts a counter-attacking opportunity that should have ended up in the net.Arteta decided to persist with the 18-year-old after the break, only for Lewis-Skelly to pick up a 56th minute booking, something he really did not need.To cap off a poor night, an outstretched hand to block a shot was deemed a penalty after a VAR check. He was quickly subbed off.Thomas Partey – 6A welcome return having missed the first leg due to suspension, and immediately improved Arsenal’s midfield, as well as nullifying PSG’s press.The Gunners look so much more controlled and balanced with the Ghanaian in the team, but he still has the sorts of games that make you want to tear your hair out.It was summed up for PSG’s second – the one that killed any chance of reaching the final – as Partey was too weak in a challenge on the edge of the box, the ball ending up in Raya’s bottom corner.Declan Rice – 6He called for “big balls and magic moments” in the pre-match build-up.But when it came to actually sticking one of those magic moments away, he fluffed his lines inside the opening three minutes, heading wide from Timber’s cross after just three minutes.It was one of three big chances missed by Arsenal, which really set the tone, and Rice was unable to conjure up any more magic.Not a bad performance, but without the required sprinkling of magic to really drive a team to a major final.Martin Odegaard – 6The Norwegian was in the spotlight in Paris, widely criticised for his recent performances, and even some ludicrous suggestions that he should be stripped of the captaincy.He turned up in the first half here, dictating and weaving and creating in tight pockets of space, and was unlucky not to see his thumping effort from range creep inside the post before it was palmed away by the huge hand of Donnarumma.Faded away slightly after the break, just when Arsenal needed something special.Bukayo Saka – 6He had the beating of Mendes again and was so dangerous cutting in, but just couldn’t manoeuvre enough space in the first half to test Donnarumma.That changed in the second half. He could have had a hat-trick in truth. Donnarumma tipped a brilliant curled thump over the bar in the 64th minute.But Saka persisted and got his goal 12 minutes later. The comeback could have well and truly been on had he not blazed over the bar with Donnarumma scrambling and an open goal gaping.Gabriel Martinelli – 5 Should have tucked away an opener from close range but for a great Donnarumma stop.He looked at it from the first whistle, skinning Hakimi a few times down the left and worked incredibly hard defensively.And yet, there was not much else. The Brazilian simply needs to do more if he has a long-term future at Arsenal, with the club looking to bolster in his position on the left wing this summer.He was also involved in PSG’s first goal, diving in too soon on Ruiz before his emphatic finish.Mikel Merino – 5A really uneventful evening following his return to the No.9 position. There were a few good flick-ons and hold-ups that helped Arsenal garner some momentum.But overall, his presence was just a constant reminder of what Arsenal are lacking in that position and what they need to find if they are to compete for major trophies and reach semi-finals and finals in the future.Read More on The SunSubsRiccardo Calafiori (for Lewis-Skelly, 68) – 6A few decent crosses from the left, giving something different to what Lewis-Skelly offers in that role. Good to see the Italian back after weeks out with a knee issue.Leandro Trossard (for Martinelli, 68) – 6Created Saka’s goal with a fine bit of wing play and delivery. Should he have started over Martinelli? Hindsight is a wonderful thing…Ben White (for Timber, 83) – N/A More