In a defiant post-match press conference following Arsenal’s heart-wrenching Champions League semi-final exit against Paris Saint-Germain, manager Mikel Arteta insisted that his side were the best team in the competition this season. The Gunners fell to a 3-1 aggregate defeat, with a 2-1 loss in the second leg at the Parc des Princes on May 7, 2025, ending their hopes of reaching the final in Munich. Despite the result, Arteta’s unwavering belief in his squad’s quality and performance sparked widespread discussion among fans and pundits alike.
Arsenal entered the second leg trailing 1-0 from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, where PSG’s Ousmane Dembele scored early, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made crucial saves to deny the Gunners. In Paris, Arsenal started brightly, creating several chances in the opening stages, only to be thwarted by Donnarumma’s heroics once again. Goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi put PSG in command, and although Bukayo Saka pulled one back in the 76th minute, it was too late to mount a comeback. Saka also missed a golden opportunity to level the score moments later, a moment Arteta later pinpointed as pivotal.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Arteta was resolute. “I don’t think there’s been a better team in the competition so far, from what I’ve seen,” he said, a statement echoed across media outlets like ESPN and The Independent. He claimed that feedback from PSG’s bench suggested Arsenal were the superior side over the two legs, with Donnarumma’s exceptional performance in goal being the decisive factor. “The Champions League is decided in the boxes, and their best player has been the goalkeeper,” Arteta added, highlighting the fine margins that separated the teams.
The Spaniard’s comments came as Arsenal’s players were left devastated, with Arteta revealing that some were in tears in the dressing room. “Today I see how much they want it because they were in tears,” he said, as reported by The Athletic. Despite the emotional toll, Arteta dismissed suggestions that his team would struggle to recover, pointing to their resilience and the need to channel their disappointment into their upcoming Premier League fixtures, starting with a clash against Liverpool on Sunday.
Arteta’s assertion that Arsenal were the best team in the competition raised eyebrows, particularly given their failure to reach the final and their ongoing trophy drought, now extending to five years. Critics, including PSG manager Luis Enrique, disagreed with Arteta’s assessment. “Mikel Arteta is a great friend, but I don’t agree at all [that Arsenal deserved to win],” Enrique said, as quoted by ESPN. Posts on X reflected mixed sentiments, with some users praising Arteta’s confidence in his squad, while others, like a post from CNNnews18, accused him of lacking grace in defeat.
Arsenal’s journey to the semi-finals was notable, having defeated strong sides like Real Madrid earlier in the competition. Arteta leaned on these performances to bolster his claim, arguing that his team’s displays across the tournament were unmatched. However, the Gunners’ reliance on set pieces drew criticism, with ESPN’s Alejandro Moreno slamming their lack of cutting edge in open play. Defensive errors and missed opportunities, particularly in Paris, underscored the areas where Arsenal fell short.