Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has denied Arsenal a place in the Champions League final after a bitter 2-1 thrashing extending their trophy drought to five consecutive years, despite a strong campaign and promising performances across competitions.
The Gunners came into the Parc des Princes needing to overcome a 1-0 loss from the first leg in London; just a two-goal victory to advance but fell short despite a spirited performance last night.
PSG took the lead in the 27th minute through Fabian Ruiz, capitalizing on Arsenal’s defensive lapses. Arsenal pushed back, but PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made crucial saves to deny Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard, keeping PSG ahead.
In the second Half PSG were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute, but Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya saved Vitinha’s attempt.
However, Achraf Hakimi scored PSG’s second goal in the 72nd minute, effectively sealing the tie.
Bukayo Saka eventually found the net in the 76th minute, but it was a consolation goal as Arsenal failed to reach their second Champions League Final.
After the match Arsenal Coach Mikel Arteta Amatriain said that the best team lost after Arsenal crashed out of the Champions League semi-finals.
“100% I don’t think there’s been a better team than Arsenal in the competition so from what I have seen, but we are out. We deserved much more I think in both games. But this competition is about the boxes and in both boxes there are normally the strikers most of the time and the goalkeepers and he was the best player in both games,” Arteta stated.
“It gives me so much pride, but at the same time I’m so upset, so annoyed that we didn’t manage to do it. Today I see how much the players want it because they were in tears at the end,” he added.
Arteta’s rival manager Luis Enrique disagreed with Arteta’s assessment after the match.
“Mikel Arteta is a great friend, but I don’t agree at all that Arsenal deserved to win. They play the way they want and love to play, but in the two legs, we scored more goals than them and that is the most important thing,” Enrique said.
The final scores with PSG 2-1 Arsenal and 3-1 aggregate with PSG advancing to the final on May 31, 2025, in Munich.
Arsenal’s elimination marks their fourth consecutive failure to progress from a major cup semi-final under Arteta (2020-21 Europa League, 2021-22 League Cup, 2024-25 League Cup, and now 2024-25 Champions League).