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Arsene Wenger has called Mikel Arteta’s Champions League claim into question, insisting Paris Saint-Germain were “better than Arsenal” over both legs of the semi-final.
After a 3-1 aggregate defeat that ended Arsenal’s dream of a first-ever Champions League title, Arteta said his team had done enough to deserve a place in the final.
“I don’t think there’s been a better team in the competition from what I’ve seen,” he told TNT Sports.
“But we are out. We deserved much more, but this competition is about the boxes, the strikers most of the time, and the goalkeeper and theirs was the best player in both games.”
Despite a spirited start in Paris, Arsenal couldn’t convert dominance into goals.
Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off two big saves to deny Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard before Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi struck. Saka scored late, but missed another key chance as Arsenal crashed out.
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"I’ll do the match analysis when I’m a little calmer. But the feedback I just got directly from their staff is that we were much better than them [PSG],” he added.
Arsene Wenger says ‘PSG were better’
Arsene Wenger, who coached Arsenal for 22 years and led them to the Champions League final in 2006 had his thoughts as well.
“I would say tonight we have seen another PSG,” Wenger told beIN SPORTS.
“They were not guided by possession or brilliant football but guided by a refusal to concede goals and taking advantages on the counter-attacks.
“I would say mentally they were strong as well. They hung in there when they missed the penalty. With Arsenal we have seen a reoccurrence of being unable to score goals.
“Overall in the two games I would say they were better than Arsenal, they had more chances and were never really in danger.”
Wenger also pointed to PSG’s historic opportunity ahead.
“Let’s not forget they can still have the perfect season with the double in France, the Champions League and the Club World Cup. That would be an extraordinary success for Luis Enrique, [PSG owner] Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Paris Saint-Germain.”
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