Arsenal Crash Out of Champions League

Posted : 08 May 2025

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had emphasized the importance of seizing key moments ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, but his side fell short in Paris, losing 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.

Despite producing 20 attempts on goal at the Parc des Princes, Arsenal's lack of clinical finishing and the heroics of PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma once again proved decisive. The result marked a painful exit from the competition and continued a trend of near misses for the north London club under Arteta.

The visitors started brightly, creating multiple early chances with Declan Rice heading wide and Donnarumma denying Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard with outstanding saves. However, PSG punished Arsenal’s profligacy with two precise goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi that left the Premier League side with a mountain to climb. Bukayo Saka managed to pull one back late on, but his missed opportunity minutes later extinguished hopes of a dramatic comeback.

Arteta expressed frustration after the match, stating that his team played well enough to deserve more. He felt Arsenal had been closer to reaching the final than the aggregate score reflected, citing the fast start and the overall intensity of their performance. However, he also acknowledged the importance of key moments, especially in the penalty areas, where Donnarumma's brilliance tipped the scales in PSG's favor across both legs.

For Arsenal, the loss adds to a growing list of semi-final disappointments, having failed to progress past the last four in several major competitions in recent years, including the Europa League and domestic cups.

Arteta admitted the sting of elimination was worsened by the belief that Arsenal had been one of the best-performing teams in this season’s Champions League. Yet, he conceded that finishing chances and goalkeeper quality often decide games at this level.

Midfielder Declan Rice reflected on the missed early chances and defensive lapses that swung the match, stating that the team’s inability to convert pressure into goals ultimately cost them. Despite the setback, Rice was optimistic about the club’s trajectory, emphasizing the importance of learning from defeats. He said the team is growing both mentally and tactically, and that their recent failures would serve as a foundation for future success.

Arsenal Crash Out of Champions League

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