Arsenal’s dream of becoming Champions of Europe ended in the cruellest fashion as PSG
edged a dramatic Champions League Final on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Budapest.
The Gunners made the perfect start and looked on course for a historic night when Kai Havertz fired Arsenal into an early lead after just five minutes. The German striker settled any early nerves inside the Puskas Arena, sparking wild celebrations among the travelling Arsenal support.
Arsenal make dream start but PSG respond
Mikel Arteta’s side were excellent during the opening 45 minutes. Bukayo Saka was causing problems down the right flank and nearly created a second goal when Leandro Trossard narrowly failed to connect with one dangerous cross.
At the other end, Gabriel and William Saliba were immense. PSG enjoyed spells of possession but found it difficult to break through Arsenal’s well-organised defensive structure.
David Raya was largely untroubled before the interval, while Havertz almost doubled Arsenal’s advantage just before half-time after being found by Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal went into the break fully deserving of their 1-0 lead.
PSG fight back as final goes the distance
The second half brought a completely different challenge.
PSG increased the pressure and began forcing Arsenal deeper into their own half. Raya comfortably dealt with an early free kick, but the momentum had shifted.
The major turning point arrived shortly after the hour mark when PSG were awarded a penalty following a VAR review, after a poor tackle by Mosquera in the box. The French champions seized the initiative and moments later Ousmane Dembele brought PSG level at 1-1.
Arteta responded with changes, introducing fresh legs including Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber, but PSG continued to push forward.
Raya produced a series of vital saves to keep Arsenal alive, while PSG also struck the post during a tense final quarter of normal time.
Extra time followed, with both sides visibly tiring after an exhausting contest. Raya again came to Arsenal’s rescue on several occasions, producing two more outstanding saves as PSG searched for a winner.
Arsenal still threatened on the counter through Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke, but neither side could find the decisive breakthrough.
The final would be settled by penalties.
After three out of four successful penalties each, the shootout remained perfectly balanced. PSG converted their fifth kick before Gabriel stepped forward needing to score to extend the contest.
His effort flew over the crossbar, sparking PSG celebrations and heartbreaking scenes for Arsenal.
The result will be difficult for Arsenal supporters to accept after coming so close, but Arteta’s side can leave Budapest with immense pride after pushing one of Europe’s strongest teams all the way to the final kick of the competition.
David Raya, Gabriel and Saliba were outstanding throughout a marathon final, while the entire squad showed tremendous character in taking the contest to penalties.
Sadly for Arsenal, football can sometimes be brutally cruel.
What did you make of Arsenal’s performance, Gooners? Were the Gunners unfortunate not to bring the trophy back to North London?
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Bit disappointed with Eze’s casual approach to the game and the penalty. Proud of the team and with few quality additions we might have a chance to win CL next season.
Leave Eze alone! He don’t need your transference. He’s been brilliant in his first season with us.
True gunners rally behind Eze now and cuddle him.
In which Aesenal team has Eze been brilliant this season?
Is it the same Arsenal we know or the one in computer games?
He’s been good I’m some matches but overall, he’s been disappointing this season. I’m sure he will be better next season but as far as this season is concerned, he has been below par.
I’m not pointing fingers at today’s performance as I’m pleased with how we played generally. I’m just trying to state am opinion concerning Eze
Through thin or thick we are gooner. Love you Gabbi, love you Ebbi…
I’m very proud of our boys.
They could only score via a penalty.
And the referee was obviously against us as the second half started. For those who will fight tooth and nail to insist that referees can never be corrupt, pls explain the referee’s actions today.
We lost on penalties, which is 50/50.
We go again next season.
Give Arteta a new contract tomorrow evening after the parade
How we have missed Timber. The title run in could have been so different with a fit timber.
Skelly played very well. Hincape played well. so did Mosq. Big game players confirmed.
What a squad we have. Love them.
Tactically, we had a lead, seen lot of cup finals so know that puts emphasis on one side to attack, the other to defend it, but was there really nothing more we could have done to turn the ball over and hold it? We didn’t really have a spell of our own against PSG in final – our wingers and everyone were too deep helping out for us to keep the ball – add this failure to that Man City and Liverpool taking 4 points off us, we havn’t really dominated the very big games and tough asks this season; there are still improvement steps for this group to make, that – if we gave PSG and caviarescalator too much respect I think, it’s tactical step forwards this Arsenal set up needs to take.
Looking forward hungrily and excited to next season.
Gabbie will get the biggest cheer tomoz and rightfully so
been my player of the season
Please, who are the five who took the penalties, and the two that missed them?
Viktor Gyökeres, Declan Rice, and Gabriel Martinelli scored theirs. Eberechi Eze missed his penalty, and Gabriel Magalhães the final one.
Extremely gutted by that! I don’t blame Gabriel at all at least he had the bottle to take one but in all fairness a CB shouldn’t be in the first 5 for pens that’s on the players who weren’t keen to take one! We need improvement next season especially in attack if we’re going to win cups we can’t keep trying to defend our way through games it’s draining for fans it’s draining for the players. The defending today was superb they truly are a wonderful defensive team.. the attack was woeful and we could barely keep the ball, this all needs to be worked on next season especially attacking and keeping the ball for longer periods rather than just hoofing it up the park. Hopefully some time in the future this club can win again in europe they are too big of a club to have such a poor european record.
With a powerful midfielder to pair with Rice and a class left winger we will be unstoppable next season. Next year CL trophy will be ours, no one to challange the supremacy we will establish. This is just the beginning, Arsenal dominance of PL and Europe will be for long years to come.
Proud of the boys. Great season, especially our defense and Raya who really kept us in it. Perversely, kinda good that game reminded some average average recruiting last summer, and the need for better attacking options.
Congrats again fellow gooners on a great season!
Calm heads are always needed in penalty shoot out and Gabriel is the least calm head in our squad…. This loss is on Arteta for selecting a headless chicken like Gabriel to take a penalty in a champions league final. I am really disappointed for the boys for all the efforts they put in to get this far and wishing them luck for the future.
Arteta doesn’t pick the penalty takers?
Calling Gabby headless is disrespectful. If you watched the match, then you would know that he was our best player on the field tonight.
Gabriel does not have the Jorginho temperament nor the technique to be any where near the first 5.
Please, who are the five who took the penalties, and the two that missed them? My phone went off during the penalties.
Gyok scored Eze missed rice martinelli scored gabby mags missed
I love them even more. Hell of a season.
Obviously started well but theh went into jeep what we have mode and very poor standard football. Sitting back and hoofing it clear, is not going to win you the CL. It wasn’t as if PSG were that amazing. I think they were very hesitant. They looked absolutely terrified when we scored and were shell shocked for allbthe first half but we were not in killer mode. We were in survival mode and did not keep the ball very well at all. For me PSG didn’t win this, we lost it. The penalty we gave away was unnecessary and the Two we missed were awful. You have to make the keeper make a save. They were poor, especially Eze. I do hooe our philosophy changes next season because, if we want to progress, we have to play better football. League champions is brilliant but we have to improve greatly to defend it and win the CL.
Keep what we have not jeep. Sausage fingers.
Great analysis. Spot on. Especially during the extra time, I guess they were instructed to sit back and take it to penalties, thinking they would win on penalties. I noticed that that was the tactics adopted by Arteta all season, and we ended up drawing or losing the games we should have won comfortably this season. I was shocked he employed the same again today against a team like PSG. My love and support for the boys. We go again
At the moment I am very disappointed. It was so close for us to have succeeded in winning. However, we avoided suffering the same cruel fate as Bayern Munich when they faced PSG. But we have to admit that we met a good team and the ball possession 72% vs 28% speaks for itself. Arsenal played a good 1st half and had control of the game so far, but in the 2nd half and in the extra time we came to stand too much in the defensive position. Next season, Arsenal will have rely on reinforcements for the team in the form of a strong striker and a winger and a creative midfielder. No blame for the players who failed in tonight’s penalty shootout. All the players did their utmost and every player wished the same success. As Arsenal players and fans, we win as a team and lose as a team. We can all be proud of what Arsenal have achieved this season.
Sorry first paragraph should be. Went into deep mode and very poor standard of football.
Reply to above.
Arsenal mu invest in either Morgan Rogers or Tonali or both of them. These are typical creators. Buy Livramento to interchange with Timber. We need a striker. Eze is just average. He is not as smart in creating as Rogers.
Between Tsolis and Godts, Arsenal must get Godts because he is still young and can develop better. But here is why Tsolis will be the obvious choice:
Mika Godts is the ideal signing for Arsenal if the primary goal is a creator capable of dismantling deep defensive blocks.While Christos Tzolis has put up monster numbers for Club Brugge (recording a phenomenal 17 goals and 23 assists in the 2025–26 league campaign), his toolkit relies heavily on transitions, dynamic vertical runs, and open green space. Against low blocks, space disappears, rendering Tzolis’s main strengths far more difficult to activate.Mika Godts offers the exact profile Arsenal needs to unlock compressed defenses for several tactical reasons:1. Superior Gravity and One-on-One IsolatonsBreaking down a low block requires an elite, technical dribbler who can beat a defender from a standstill. Godts possesses the tight manipulation, rapid acceleration, and Hazard-esque gravity that forces defensive blocks to collapse inward. By drawing two or three defenders to the left flank, he creates massive spatial imbalances for Arsenal’s underlapping midfielders or the opposite winger.2. Central Inversion and Creative PassingMikel Arteta’s positional play demands that left-wingers do not just hug the touchline, but actively invert to act as secondary playmakers. Godts naturally drifts inside into the half-spaces. His high-level passing vision (12 league assists for Ajax this season) allows him to combine rapidly via one-twos or slide intricate reverse passes through congested penalty boxes.3. Box Threat Against Set DefensesLow blocks often result in a highly crowded box where traditional shooting angles are blocked. Godts’s close-quarter agility enables him to engineer shooting lanes out of nothing. He managed 17 goals in the Eredivisie this season, proving that his technical dribbling is paired with highly efficient final-third execution.Comparison Table: Low Block SuitabilityTactical MetricMika GodtsChristos TzolisPrimary Dribbling StyleIntricate, short-touch, multi-directionalDirect, speed-oriented, verticalSpace RequiredThrives in compressed, tight spacesNeeds space behind/ahead to acceleratePlaymaking RoleCreative playmaker / Half-space inverterDirect crosser / Direct box finisherLow Block EffectivenessElite (manipulates defensive shapes)Moderate (better in transition/counters)If Arsenal wants a direct replacement for Gabriel Martinelli’s directness or a high-volume goal-scoring inside forward, Tzolis is an incredible asset. However, to solve the specific tactical problem of the low block, Mika Godts is the definitive choice
Really exciting young left wingers you are mentioning her. Mika Godts (20) and Christos Tzolis (24). Especially is Mika Godts is the one to go for 32 apps / 17 goals / 12 assists in The Eresdivisie.
think this season and this game showed arsenal need to move on from odegaard, trossard and martinelli. left side is poor attacking wise, and odegaard just likes to look busy without doing much and weak in the tackle.
decent upgrade on left wing, option upfront and a cm that is mobile and can properly control and calm in the centre and we will be set.
Odegaard was terrible how he is the captain is diabolic if ode was doing his job Mosquera wont have made such mistakes
Saka was completely off in this game..
Hincapie was excellent today, as was Mosq, particularly when we were told that their two wingers would tear us apart.
There needs to be a back up to Skelley or visa versa, as I don’t think Zubimendi has the power and legs to play alongside Rice.
Again I have to ask why Saka isn’t being mentioned, when the criticism is aimed at Trossard, Mart and Manduka?
He was rightly subbed as the sparkle and confidence seems to have gone out of his game.
Ken- Saka was disappointing and has developed a selfish habit lately. Havertz was open on couple of times and would have been thru on goal but Saka chose to cut inside and shoot. He is becoming one dimensional by always cutting inside and everyone under the sun knows his next move
Ken1945,
I hear you regards Saka, and I believe he’s not been the player this season that some are claiming.
But regards last night, I feel I must defend him a bit. I watched the analysis on match of the days last night, and in the first half every time they attacked us down the left, there was Arteta calling for Saka to double up on their left winger. And while it worked well for all the first half, it was diluting what Saka can offer at the attacking end.
Again I do hear what you’re saying Ken, but in this instance I think there is a bit of mitigating evidence to defend Saka a bit on this occasion.
Derek, Arteta was too cautious and it goes to the team. We payed for not trying to win the game. Arteta HAS to change his philosophy. Luckily it didn’t cost us the league but it costs us in cups and high pressure games. I expect a different Arsenal next season. We can not be the same again.
I am absolutely devastated. Flying to London for the parade in 3 hours and I’m gutted. Trying to take the pain away, Odegaard shouldn’t play in this team. The worst player on the pitch.
Can’t fault the effort of the team. Gutted. 20 years ago I cried my eyes out, just wasn’t meant to be. Can’t blame Gabi for the pen, the guy has carried us all season on his back. Ezes penalty though. Absolutely shocking.
The truth is we need new wingers on both flanks, a new 10 and a striker. I am annoyed because we reverted to being negative after opening the score. That’s my biggest problem with MA. We were too negative and waited 2 much to make changes. Mosquera on a yellow should’ve been subbed earlier.
We need more tech in attack, is what it is. Feeling so strange…
With you, we need better attacking options. We’ve done remarkably well considering what to me is a fairly average attacking line up.
My thought too. MA should have subbed Mosq on the hour mark, knowing he’s hanging on a thread. We all knew PSG will be playing through him as the weak link
It was all well even though we were undone by penalties. This has been a successful season by all standards despite a few hiccups. The way I know Arteta, he is going to work on fixing the squad for champions league next season. Last season when we fell short in EPL, Arteta brought in fresh blood. Now it is obvious that we are still short of quality especially in cup competitions. I expect us to get quality wingers and one quality attacking midfielder because that is whether we are still lacking. Once we fix that, we shall be good to go. This was a bump along the way but our journey continues unabated. Let us start preparing for next season because we shall have new managers for nearly all our rivals: Man City, Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs. So we should expect ever tighter competition in the league and all the cups.
We also had no control of midfield nor creation for the entire game.
Where to even begin.
Defensively we were fantastic but offensively we were rubbish. Safanov made zero saves in this game including the penalty shootout.
You cannot escape every game by scoring one like we did in Semifinal and quarterfinal (not scoring more than one goal per game).
The way the defenders were making those last ditch tackles was making me think we were gonna win it.
Best moment to attack was when Dembele got subbed. Still had over 20 minutes left.
Mind you, I’m commenting about the overall game. We could have just as easily won in penalty shootout. My comment is about the game in general.
Haas,
Before the final I had read there keeper could be a weak link. Well I’m with you, we never tested him to find out did we.
And they won the penalty shootout without him having to make a save. Very telling.
Well he didn’t move when Havertz scored
Now is not the time to criticise any players or Management for what has been a highly successful season for our Club.Winning the Premier League has always been the priority for our fans and whilst winning the Champions League would have been the icing on the cake, i am more than delighted on what we have achieved this season.Any feelings of inferiority have been dispelled by our performances in the top European Competition and we can look forward to next season with confidence and real optimism.There are certain areas which need strengthening for next season and imo our fairly predictable tactical set up ,particularly in midfield, needs to be tweaked it we are to match the likes of PSG in terms of possession and control.More of that later , but for now ,despite losing the lottery of penalty kicks, i am very proud of the efforts of our players this season.
Obviously mistakes were made in substitutions. Merino’s a smart player in such smash and grab occasions. Immediately after yellow Mosquera should have been replaced. Martinelli is a better fit than Trossard when opting to play counter attacking. If Zubimendi hit the 5th rather than Maghales?
How come UEFA appoint same ref to ref same team in all quarter, semi and final matches? Pressure the ref.
Madueke’s all day long clear and obvious pen.
Ambachew,
Rose tinted glasses off please, was never a penalty.
Tried every colour even a military binoculars but it still is a pen. Sibert knows the outcome if he goes to var review. Gutted he even didn’t opt to
I’m proud of the defenders and certain aspects of midfield like Rice and Zubi..
I think the criticism aimed at Arsenals style of play is a result of MA not being able to have confidence in our attacking players and failing back on the far more reliable defence – score a goal and fall back and defend. That is what cost us.
Arsenal are boring to watch as much as I love them – we are in desperate need of a revamp this summer and I hope to see the likes of Martinelli and Trossard move on and some fresh young players led by Max Dowman and Saka take us forward 🙂.
Leon,
A lot of what you say is true. And I and some others have been saying this for a while. But apparently, that’s just being negative. What just like the team.
As good a season as it’s been, cannot hide the fact that we are a hard watch.
No that is what won us the PL and got us to the CL final for the first time in 20 years. We, like all teams, will always want to improve yes, but we have to recognize the success of this season using that style of play, boring or not.
I agree BB,
I think Arteta had to find a way to get us over the line, and now that he has, the players have got the belief going forward.
I do hope that this style of play will now change going forward though.
Kia, I am hoping that attacking play can improve as well without leaving us significantly more open at the back. I believe it is more of a matter of having sufficient time and advanced instruction on the training pitch than a need for massive personnel changes. How last summer’s arrivals can perform going forward as part of a cohesive unit is anyone’s guess at this point. To reach the same heights, imo MA will have almost as big a job ahead of him as he did coming into this season.
Bruised Banana,
I do recognize the success of the team, but it’s still true to say their not a good watch.
with regard to taking pens there surely are unspeakable and unwritten rules to selecting the players