Mikel Arteta claimed Arsenal were "100 per cent" the best team in the Champions League this season and deserved to beat Paris Saint-Germain - but Arsene Wenger did not agree
Arsene Wenger has shot down Mikel Arteta's assertion that his side were the better team over the two legs against Paris Saint-Germain. Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-final 3-1 on aggregate, with PSG going through to face Inter Milan in the final later this month.
The Gunners arrived in Paris with a 1-0 deficit from the first leg and came out of the blocks fast, but were denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma. The PSG keeper made stunning saves from Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard before Fabian Ruiz smashed past David Raya in the 27th minute.
Donnarumma kept out a Bukayo Saka curler before Raya saved a penalty from Vitinha to keep Arsenal's hopes alive. They appeared extinguished when Achraf Hakimi found the bottom corner, only for Saka to give the away fans something to cheer about when he slotted in.
Saka put a low cross over the bar in Arsenal's only other major chance and PSG held on relatively comfortably to knock out a third English side. Arteta turned heads after the match by claiming his side were "100 per cent" the best team in the competition and better than PSG over the two legs.
"First congratulations to PSG for reaching the final. The assessment I will make when I am a little cooler," he added. "When you look at the two games their best player on the pitch has been the goalkeeper, he has been the difference for them in the tie. We were very close, much closer than the result showed but unfortunately we are out. I am very proud of the players.
"After 20 minutes it should have been 3-0. There is something extra you need to go your way in the competition and it didn't. We were very close and for long periods of both games we were much better than them but we are not there and that has to hurt.
"If we want to win this competition we have to realise that. There are certain things that are on us. You shouldn't just be understanding we are out. That is not the way I look at it.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Were Arsenal the better side over two legs against PSG? Comment below.
"100%, I don't think there's been a better team [than Arsenal] in the competition from what I have seen, but we are out. This competition is about the boxes and in both boxes are the strikers and the goalkeepers and there's was the best in both games."
However, former Arsenal boss Wenger had a different take. Speaking on beIN SPORTS, he said: "I would say tonight that we've seen a different Paris Saint-Germain - not guided by possession and brilliant football, but guided by refusing to concede goals and taking advantage on the counter-attack and on set pieces is what gave them success tonight. I would say that mentally they were strong as well. When they missed a penalty, they did hang in there.
"On the other hand, with Arsenal, we saw the recurrence of being unable to score goals... Overall, in the two games, I would say they were better than Arsenal, had more chances and were never really in danger, so congratulations to Paris Saint-Germain.
"I said a long time ago that Paris Saint-Germain will not be far away from winning the Champions League and let's not forget: they are maybe the only team who can have the perfect season because they can win the Champions League, win the double in France and the Club World Cup. That would be an extraordinary success for Luis Enrique."
wumeiknsty
0
Arteta just get out of my club. He is rubbish no tactic and bloody arrogant human being
I don't see the simple of your team , don't talk about Arteta,.
Allez_
0
That old Wenger should just find place to hide his face and stop attending our games... he's badluck. Expert at losing and catching cold. He's the one using juju on Arteta.
The better team won And in the two legs for that matter A big shame you couldn’t even score in your field He’s saying only the truth
kolonegooner
0
Bias coach Arteta .... luv you for fighting for your team, BUT we were not the better team over the 2 legs. Arsenal still has work to do.
Allez_
0
When the goalkeeper is the man of the match over two leg, what does that means? PSG defender their entire life, and it took incredible saves from Donnaruma and some luck to qualify them. They might not be that lucky against Inter Milan.
So raya didn’t have his own saves ?😹 Is the GK not part of the team and what he’s paid for Excuses will cure your pain buddy Denial kills accept and move on your just not good enough next season fc
malablata
4
When the goalkeeper is the man of the match over two leg, what does that means? PSG defender their entire life, and it took incredible saves from Donnaruma and some luck to qualify them. They might not be that lucky against Inter Milan.
malablata
0
That old Wenger should just find place to hide his face and stop attending our games... he's badluck. Expert at losing and catching cold. He's the one using juju on Arteta.
Wealthbox
3
evertime I comment here ,I talk about the lack of threat...Òdegaard is useless...one would say he's a key player which is even meaningless whe we have Partey with experience playing defensive and both controlling the play because of experience mostly when Arsenal is attacking,as football fan what do you expect from your overrated Odegaard?is it not hungry attacking midfield quality that makes the Frontline players run for an attack?if you wanna tell me about play making and controlling the play then you mean Arsenal is doing it twice with Partey and Odegaard when one who is Odegaard need to play like players like Eze,Olise,Musiala,Olmo, Guler,Bellingham,Bruno,Palmer ,Guler and others who are fulfilling the Obligation of that position,try to compare one of them with your Odegaard and see how you're lacking...NWANERI53 is needed for that position but Arterta and the whole management still can't see that...even if you buy a best striker in the world you won't be a champion because of unreliable consistency caused by seasonal Odegaard on that position...Saka is young and Rice and others always give their all for atleast a single Trophy but still delayed by one unrectified mistake in the team
odegard is nonsense, like seriously over rated...clueless, can't dribble, can't score,can't defend,no stamina, ordinary to shield ball he can't, no blind pass, no look away pass...mehn...how did he make the first 11? so bad mehn...I don't like him from day one, I see his scoring as fluke..well it's gone..so pe otilo...
Wealthbox
0
Arteta needs to change his tactics on how arsenal attacks, too many passes in the final third ain't helping at all, and also be busy in the transfer market as promised
just too much childish coach..
hunbderuy
3
Arteta needs to change his tactics on how arsenal attacks, too many passes in the final third ain't helping at all, and also be busy in the transfer market as promised
Waneimoyz
1
Arteta just get out of my club. He is rubbish no tactic and bloody arrogant human being
Bahekosty
3
evertime I comment here ,I talk about the lack of threat...Òdegaard is useless...one would say he's a key player which is even meaningless whe we have Partey with experience playing defensive and both controlling the play because of experience mostly when Arsenal is attacking,as football fan what do you expect from your overrated Odegaard?is it not hungry attacking midfield quality that makes the Frontline players run for an attack?if you wanna tell me about play making and controlling the play then you mean Arsenal is doing it twice with Partey and Odegaard when one who is Odegaard need to play like players like Eze,Olise,Musiala,Olmo, Guler,Bellingham,Bruno,Palmer ,Guler and others who are fulfilling the Obligation of that position,try to compare one of them with your Odegaard and see how you're lacking...NWANERI53 is needed for that position but Arterta and the whole management still can't see that...even if you buy a best striker in the world you won't be a champion because of unreliable consistency caused by seasonal Odegaard on that position...Saka is young and Rice and others always give their all for atleast a single Trophy but still delayed by one unrectified mistake in the team
kobaciot
1
why, are you surprised? Arteta is a confused coach who will never accept his fault of signing only defenders and selling Nketia and Balongue without replacement. Arsenal problem now is coaching. He has done well. Now Arsenal needs a proven and a winning coach. The second place in EPL is even an issue for the team.
JmoneyZ
0
Ori Arteta ti daru ni
O daru gan ni seh 😹
Jtmboom20
0
Arsenal and trophless are like 1 and 2
Pieacenrtu
2
PSG were clearly the better team.
Rawlins
1
After 20 minutes it should have been 3-0. Wu will score those goals,,tht team is toothless. Go n sign striker
Strongdadi1123
0
Hopefully they will🤣
Yeah, hopefully Inter will win too 🤣🤣🤣
Doglike
0
Same Mbappe took psg to champions league final which they lost to Bayern, I guess you didn’t start watching ball then? And mind you, they have not even won the champions league yet.
Hopefully they will🤣
Strongdadi1123
0
Facts: Mbappe joined RM to win champions league but PSG got through instead.
Same Mbappe took psg to champions league final which they lost to Bayern, I guess you didn’t start watching ball then? And mind you, they have not even won the champions league yet.
Shmonny
2
Arsenal is the real definition of work hard and die poor. 😂😂
returnofthesaith
1
At least now he must have realized that his Arteta style cannot win any major football tournament. Arsenal need a very good top striker.
Davichi
2
Arsenal was definitely not the best team throughout the UCL. Liverpool and Barcelona were the ones who had 100% success rate until they got knockout. PSG beat Arsenal home and away to knock them out and look like the stronger contenders for the trophy.
Doglike
0
Facts: Mbappe joined RM to win champions league but PSG got through instead.
vecabcky
0
Arteta is still dreaming,he doesn’t know That Arsenal is out of the champions league, so he think Arsenal is better then PSG but he forgot he was beating twice by PSG.continue dreaming t’ll next year.
Tuolnorsuy
3
Ori Arteta ti daru ni