Arteta: We are disappointed to lose in a penalty shootout but we will review and restart

After Arsenal lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, coach Arteta was interviewed by beIN Sports.

You've had a very special season. You won the Premier League again after 22 years and returned to the Champions League final after 20 years. Facing a team that won big in the final last year, you held on until the penalty shootout, didn't lose in regular time, and even dominated them in the first half. Although the result is cruel, you must still be very proud, right?

It's a very mixed emotion. I am extremely proud of the players, the coaching staff, and everyone who has contributed so much to this season. We had a remarkable season because we achieved things that this great club hadn't done in many years. But now we cannot avoid this pain; it is truly intense. We desperately wanted to win this trophy and were so close to it. But when the game goes to a penalty shootout, it's a bit like luck, and in the end, the result didn't go our way.

Looking back, do you think those penalty decisions were correct? Or rather, do you feel you should have been awarded a penalty? That could have been a turning point in the game.

I think the one on Mosquera was a penalty. The second was related to the contact with Madueke. Based on the officiating standards for similar situations before the Champions League final, in my opinion, that was also a penalty.

The problem might be that it didn't reach the level of "clear and obvious error," so the original decision couldn't be overturned. But would you like to see more consistency in officiating in this regard?

That's just how things are. I don't want to focus on that. First, I want to congratulate Paris Saint-Germain; they are a very excellent team. Both their coaching style and individual player abilities are very strong. Any player on their team can change the game at any moment, so it's hard to always contain them. We knew this game would be very difficult and we tried our best, but unfortunately, we lost in the penalty shootout.

Gabriel played like a hero throughout the match and then stepped up to take a penalty. I know that in tomorrow's championship parade, all Arsenal fans are eager to applaud you, and he will definitely receive the warmest cheers. Although the result is cruel, it was truly brave of him to step up at that moment.

When you take responsibility, that's what happens on the football field. He stepped up and was ready. Unfortunately, the penalty wasn't scored, and we have to accept that.

Arsenal fans must be wondering, Mikel, can we do it again next season?

We will thoroughly review everything, and we need some time to rest before starting again.