Arsene Wenger has given his verdict on Arsenal’s heartbreaking Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain, after his former team crashed out at the semi-final stage following a 3-1 defeat on aggregate.
Arsenal headed into Wednesday’s second leg at the Parc de Princes with a 1-0 deficit to overturn and were left to rue a catalogue of missed chances early on when Fabian Ruiz scored against the run of play to put the French giants two goals ahead in the tie.
Despite mounting significant pressure on PSG’s goal, which was superbly guarded again by in-form goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Gunners found themselves further behind in the 72nd minute, with Achraf Hakimi’s curling effort from outside the penalty area putting the French side within touching distance of the final in Munich.
Three goals behind on aggregate, Arsenal managed to pull one back in the 76th minute through Bukayo Saka, who almost set up a nervy finish with another golden opportunity moments later – only to see his effort sail over the crossbar.
By exiting the Champions League, Arsenal confirmed they will end the campaign without silverware, having crashed out of all domestic competitions and already conceded the Premier League title to Liverpool last month.
Wenger, who coached Arsenal for 22 years between 1996 and 2018 and was the last manager to win the Premier League in north London, admitted he was impressed by Paris Saint-Germain as he gave his assessment of the tie.
Arsene Wenger has given his verdict on Arsenal’s bitter Champions League exit against PSG
The Gunners crashed out after Paris Saint-Germain won 3-1 on aggregate on Wednesday night
The French giants will take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Munich on May 31
‘I would say tonight we have seen a different Paris Saint-Germain,’ the Frenchman told beIN Sports. ‘Not guided by possession and brilliant football, but guided by a refusal to concede goals and taking advantage on the counter attacks and on set pieces. This is what gave them success tonight.
‘I would say mentally they were strong as well. When they missed a penalty, they did hang in there.’
Speaking of his former side, he added: ‘On the other hand, we have seen with Arsenal the recurrence of being unable to score goals.’
Arsenal’s only goal in the two-legged tie came after PSG captain Marquinhos collapsed to the floor far too easily during a coming together with second-half substitute Leandro Trossard.
The referee and VAR both agreed that Trossard had not fouled Marquinhos in the build-up to the goal, with the Belgian able to scamper through to set up Saka inside the penalty area after the Brazilian fell to the floor.
‘I would say as well, I was surprised by the mistake of Marquinhos on the goal they conceded. It could have cost them and did on the goal – he is not completely back to his level. So they were a bit lucky as well.
‘But overall you would say in the two games they were better than Arsenal, had more chances and were never really in danger so congratulations to Paris Saint-Germain.’
Disagreeing with Wenger, an emotional Mikel Arteta claimed that Arsenal were the best team in the Champions League during his post-match interview, despite the disappointing exit.
Many Arsenal players including Declan Rice missed big chances early on at the Parc de Princes
Gianluigi Donnarumma was sensational for PSG again after making a flurry of early stops
Prior to their semi-final defeat against PSG, Arsenal triumphed 5-1 on aggregate over Champions League holders Real Madrid with two stunning performances during the quarter-final stage.
‘One hundred per cent there hasn’t been a better team (than Arsenal) in the competition from what I have seen, but we are out,’ Arteta said.
‘When you analyse both games, who has been the best player, the MVP, it has been the same player — the goalkeeper,’ he added, referencing Donnarumma.
‘And the Champions League is decided in the boxes and it won the game for them because obviously today after 20 minutes and what happened in London as well, the result should have been very different. So I can take a lot of positives and I’m very proud of the team.
‘But at the same time I’m so upset, so annoyed that we didn’t manage to do it. Today I saw how much they want it because they were in tears.’
On whether the best team lost, he added: ‘I think so, yeah. Especially across 180 minutes.
‘I’m saying that and they (the PSG bench) are saying that because they just told me that.’
Arteta also referenced the wealth of injuries suffered by his side this season.
Mikel Arteta insisted Arsenal were the best team in the Champions League after their PSG loss
Bukayo Saka scored Arsenal’s only goal over the two legs and it came from a defensive error
‘They deserve a lot of credit for what they are doing in the context of the situation and the amount of injuries, probably the worst state you could arrive here as a team.
‘To come here with a different context and still do that, it gives me a lot of positives for the future but tonight I am very upset.’
