Piers Morgan has hit out at Arsenal in a scathing rant about their poor defending and lack of attacking threat as they were dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.
A spectacular strike from Fabian Ruiz and a curled effort from Achraf Hakimi ensured Arsenal lost 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate and will go another season without silverware.
Bukayo Saka scored a late goal and David Raya saved Vitinha’s spot kick but it wasn’t enough for the Gunners to reach their first Champions League final since 2006.
Hakimi’s goal, which took the hosts three up in the tie and ended any realistic Arsenal hopes, came after an error by Arteta’s defence.
Thomas Partey failed to clear a weak cross from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, allowing Ousmane Dembele to roll the ball to the Moroccan goalscorer.
Achraf Hakimi scored Paris Saint-Germain’s second after weak defending by Thomas Partey
Arsenal fan Morgan blasted Arteta’s side for their poor defended and limited attacking options
Arsenal fan Morgan lamented their weak defending.
In a post on X, he wrote: ‘Abysmal f****** defending. Arsenal getting totally outplayed – again – by PSG. And our lack of a striker has never been more exposed than in these two matches.’
He later added: ‘Better team won. End.’
Injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have seen Arsenal forced to use Mikel Merino as an emergency striker, with the Spanish midfielder previously describing his new role as ‘crazy’.
The 28-year-old has won plaudits for adapting to a new forward position and played alongside Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in Arsenal’s front three.
Saka, who restored a glimmer of hope with his goal, was left in disbelief after missing an open goal late on in the semi-final.
The England winger skied a sudden chance with just 10 minutes remaining from just yards out after Riccardo Calafiori’s cross beat Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The forward sat by the goalpost with his head in his hand as fans were left wondering what might have been had he converted.
Bukayo Saka scored to give Arsenal a glimmer of hope before they were knocked out by PSG
Saka then missed an open goal and was left sitting in front of the goalposts head in hands
The north Londoners still haven’t won a trophy since picking up the FA Cup in Mikel Arteta’s first season at the club in 2020.
Meanwhile, PSG, who have now knocked out three Premier League sides in the knockouts, are aiming to become just the second ever French team to win the competition after Marseille in 1993.
They have already won Ligue 1, wrapping up the league title with six games remaining.
They face Inter Milan, who knocked out Barcelona in an all-time classic, at the Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31.
