Arsenal’s Champions League dream came to a heartbreaking end this week, and while Mikel Arteta insisted his side were the “better team” against Paris Saint-Germain, legendary former manager Arsene Wenger saw things differently.
Arsène Wenger: PSG were superior to Arsenal in Champions league clash
PSG booked their place in the Champions League final with a 3-1 aggregate win over Arsenal, winning 1-0 at the Emirates and 2-1 at Parc des Princes.
Luis Enrique’s side will now face Inter Milan, who edged past Barcelona in the other semi-final. Speaking after the defeat, Arteta passionately defended his team’s performance.
“We were very close, much closer than the result showed,” he said.
“After 20 minutes it should have been 3-0. Their goalkeeper was the best player on the pitch — that says everything.
I am proud of my players. I don’t think there’s been a better team in the competition this season.”
However, Wenger, speaking as a pundit on beIN SPORTS, offered a contrasting view.
“PSG were not guided by brilliant possession but by their defensive discipline and clinical counter-attacks,” he noted.
“They were mentally strong, especially after missing a penalty. Arsenal, on the other hand, struggled again to convert chances.
Over the two games, PSG had more chances and were rarely in real danger. Overall, they were the better side.”
Arsenal came out flying in the second leg in Paris but were stunned when Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring, followed by Achraf Hakimi doubling PSG’s lead.
Bukayo Saka’s late strike offered only consolation for the Gunners.
Enrique praised Arsenal’s fight but highlighted PSG’s edge. “They played a great game, and we suffered a lot. But over two legs, we scored more — that’s what matters.”
For PSG, this marks their second Champions League final in three years, and with a French league title and the Club World Cup still in sight, Enrique’s side is chasing a historic treble.
As Arsenal reflects on their campaign, Wenger’s comments are a reminder that at the highest level, it’s not just about playing well — it’s about seizing the big moments.
