Arteta: "We played better than PSG" — A conciliatory statement from the Arsenal coach after the defeat

After losing to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta expressed his thoughts in front of fans and the media. He emphasized that the team fully showcased its potential on the field and deserved to reach the final based on their performance.

“First of all, I congratulate PSG for reaching the final. They fought hard and achieved the result in the end. However, I believe that Arsenal played better than the opponent in both matches. This is football — sometimes the team that plays best does not win, but the most effective one does,” said Arteta.

According to the Spanish specialist, the main difference in both encounters was the performance of the opposing goalkeeper. “He became a decisive factor for them. We had many opportunities, but we were unlucky in converting them. Sometimes such games help you grow. Our players feel this,” he added.

While highly rating the team's performance, Mikel Arteta also tries to uplift the players mentally: “We reached this point not just by walking, but with heart and dedication. At a time when no one sees Arsenal as a favorite, my players played in a way that made them feel like leaders on the field. That in itself is a great achievement,” said the coach.

At the end of his remarks, Arteta highlighted that such stages in the team's journey would serve as a foundation for future victories: “We will learn from this defeat. Both players and coaches come out stronger after such matches. We didn’t reach the final — but that won’t stop us.”

Now all attention for Arsenal is focused on the remaining matches in the Premier League. The team's fans are inspired by Arteta's words and are confidently looking forward to a more determined push towards Europe in the upcoming season.