Champions League

ARSENE Wenger has rejected claims from Mikel Arteta that Arsenal were better than Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League semi-final tie.The Arsenal manager backed his side to be the best team in the competition just minutes after his side lost 2-1 in Paris, 3-1 on aggregate. Arsene Wenger did not agree with Arteta’s assessment of Arsenal’s performanceCredit: GettyHe said to TNT Sports: “We were very close and for long periods of both games we were much better than them but we are not there and that has to hurt.”I don’t think there’s been a better team [than Arsenal] in the competition from what I have seen, but we are out.”Wenger had a hugely contrasting view of the two-legged tie.The former Arsenal manager told Qatari channel beIN SPORTS: “Overall, in the two games, I would say [PSG] were better than Arsenal, had more chances and were never really in danger, so congratulations to [them].READ MORE ON ARSENAL”I would say tonight that we’ve seen a different Paris Saint-Germain – not guided by possession and brilliant football, but guided by refusing to concede goals and taking advantage on the counter-attack and on set-pieces is what gave them success tonight. “On the other hand, with Arsenal, we saw the recurrence of being unable to score goals.”This was not the only controversial Arteta post-match comment as PSG boss Luis Enrique denied his claims that his bench said that Arsenal were “much better than them”.Enrique said in his own post-match press conference: “I don’t agree at all. Mikel Arteta is a great friend but I don’t agree at all.”Most read in Champions LeagueBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKEnrique complimented Arsenal’s “clever” approach to the match but concluded that his team deserved their place in the final.He said: “In the two legs we scored more goals than them and that is the most important thing in football.”Arsenal entered the second leg at PSG’s Parc des Princes needing to overturn a one-goal deficit.Mikel Arteta thought Arsenal were the better team over two legsCredit: ReutersDeclan Rice and Mikel Merino look dejected at the final whistleCredit: GettyThe Gunners started brightly and enjoyed a spell of dominance before being muted by a stunning Fabian Ruiz strike from the edge of the box, just before the half hour mark.Achraf Hakimi doubled PSG’s lead with only 18 minutes left of the 90, meaning Bukayo Saka’s goal four minutes later was not enough to bring Arsenal level. The North London side could not take their chances and will look towards their Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday as PSG progress to the final in Munich.Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates More

PATRICE EVRA bizarrely compared Arsenal’s failure to interrupted sex in his latest bonkers video.The former Manchester United star, 43, posted on X last night just minutes after the full-time whistle in Paris.Arsenal suffered Champions League heartbreak in ParisCredit: GettyPatrice Evra took to X with a bizarre video comparing the exit to interrupted sexCredit: INSTAGRAMPSG beat Arsenal 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate to book their spot in the Champions League final.It means Mikel Arteta’s wait for his next trophy as Gunners boss will extend beyond five years since the 2020 FA Cup. And Evra went on another rogue monologue.The Frenchman expressed his sympathy for the Gunners manager and players before bringing up his ‘Netflix’ jibe again – that Arsenal fans always have to wait for the next season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut then he made his graphic and tasteless metaphor. Evra said in the video: “I feel sorry for Arsenal, I think people are being really hard on them.”I love Arteta anyway, he is a good friend.”I think people have no problem with Arsenal players. People have a problem with their fans – they believe anything.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I would even say I’m not sure I would do business with an Arsenal fan because they will promise you lots of things but it will never actually [deliver].”We talk about Netflix – Netflix season 21 is on its way I think they started recording. ‘Upset’ Mikel Arteta claims there ‘hasn’t been a better team’ than Arsenal in the Champions League in blunt interview”It’s banter – I love Arsenal. “You can’t hate your babies, it’s impossible.”I think I would give the example… imagine you have a good time with your wife or your girlfriend or your fiancée and you enjoy it… mmm oh la la.”And the moment you are about to put some seed, someone grabs you.”It’s really painful and you get really frustrated because you want to make a Premier League or a Champions League baby but it’s always the same story.”So I’m sorry. I’m not trying to create the buzz with you guys but I love you.”Let’s get ready for the next season and I hope for you that United, Tottenham or Chelsea doesn’t win a trophy this year because this is going to be terrible.”MMA hopeful Evra then signed off his post – captioned “only love and banter” – by shouting his trademark: “I love this game.”The video racked up 1.9million views within 12 hours of being posted.And it prompted a wave of replies, including from Evra’s old United team-mate Rio Ferdinand. Ferdinand missed covering the game in Paris for TNT Sports as he was admitted to hospital.But he was well enough to comment on the video, typing: “Broooooo,” followed by two laughing emojis. Various other rival supporters also relished in Arsenal’s European heartbreak – with plenty of cruel memes posted mocking their exit. Arsenal started well in the second leg but were constantly denied by a red-hot Gianluigi Donnarumma in the PSG goal. Fabian Ruiz’s sweet strike made it 2-0 on aggregate before David Raya saved a penalty.But Achraf Hakimi’s finish put the game to bed – even despite Bukayo Saka’s consolation. Saka then squandered a glorious chance over the bar which could have set up a grandstand finish. Arteta, though, was proud of his side’s efforts last night and throughout the competition – even claiming the Gunners were the best team in this season’s Champions League. The Spaniard said: “I’m upset. We were very close for long periods of both games. We were much better than them.”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.”I don’t think there has been a better team in the competition so far.Read More on The Sun”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.”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

LUIS ENRIQUE has denied that he and his Paris Saint-Germain coaching staff claimed that Arsenal were the better team across both legs of the Champions League semi-final.PSG clinched a 2-1 win over the Gunners on Wednesday to book a place in the Champions League final.Mikel Arteta claimed that PSG’s coaching staff believed Arsenal were the better team in the Champions League semi-finalCredit: ReutersLuis Enrique has denied Arteta’s claimsCredit: GettyHaving won the first leg 1-0 last week, the Ligue 1 champions had the upper hand going into the match.A first-half goal from Fabian Ruiz extended the overall advantage at the Parc des Princes.Achraf Hakimi then made it 3-0 on aggregate in the 72nd minute.Bukayo Saka got one back for the Gunners in the closing stages, but it was too little too late to perform a comeback.READ MORE ON ARSENALDespite losing the tie, Mikel Arteta claimed that Arsenal were the better team overall.He even suggested that members of PSG’s coaching staff thought the same.Asked if he believed the best team lost the match, Arteta said: “I think so, yes. Especially for 160 minutes.”I’m saying that and they’re saying that because they [PSG’s bench] just told me that.”Most read in Champions LeagueJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesThe manager also told TNT Sports: “The assessment I’ll make when I’m a little bit cooler but the feeling I get from their bench was that we were much better than them.”Over the two legs the best player on the pitch was their goalkeeper, he’s made a difference in the tie. We were very close much closer than the results showed but unfortunately we are out. I’m so proud. ‘Upset’ Mikel Arteta claims there ‘hasn’t been a better team’ than Arsenal in the Champions League in blunt interview”How we started and handled the pressure – after 20 minutes we should be 3-0 up. But there is something extra in this competition to go your way and it didn’t.”]However, PSG manager Enrique was quick to deny the claims during his post-match press conference.He said: “I don’t agree at all. Mikel Arteta is a great friend but I don’t agree at all.”I think they played in a clever way today and they got the match to the right moment for them because they played in the way they wanted and they loved to play.”But I think in the two legs we scored more goals than them and in football that is the most important thing.”Arsenal next face Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday.They need three points to fully guarantee a place in the Champions League for next season.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

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