Watching Paris Saint-Germain dismantle Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final, many Arsenal fans could not help but wonder, what if?
What if Mikel Arteta’s side had found a way past PSG in the semi-finals? Would Inter really have coped with the threat the Gunners would have posed in a European final?
It is not just frustration speaking. A deeper look at the data from PSG’s 3-1 aggregate win over Arsenal suggests that the French champions were given one of their sternest tests of the tournament by Arteta’s side.
The Performance That Earned Respect, But Not Recognition
Remarkably, PSG were beaten on expected goals (xG) six times across all competitions this season. Three of those instances came against Arsenal. That statistic alone reflects just how competitive the tie was, despite the scoreline.
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s eight saves in the semi-final second leg were pivotal, and many fans believe the difference came down to finishing. Arsenal created chances but lacked the cutting edge to take full advantage. The widespread opinion is that a clinical striker might have tipped the balance in the Gunners’ favour. There was also a debated ‘referee blunder.
And yet, when asked to reflect on the toughest opponents his team faced this season, Luis Enrique overlooked Arsenal entirely. Speaking in a recent interview CBS Sports, “There were a few matches this season that tested us. Liverpool, for example, made things very difficult, especially in transitions. Aston Villa, too, were one of the more organised sides we came up against.”
Arsenal’s Semi-Final Performance Deserved More Credit
While Liverpool forced penalties and Aston Villa threatened a comeback, Arsenal controlled large periods of their semi-final clash. They matched PSG tactically, physically and creatively, falling short only in their ability to convert chances.
Luis Enrique may not publicly acknowledge it, but Arsenal arguably gave PSG their most thorough examination en route to lifting the trophy.
Had the Gunners reached the final, it is not unreasonable to believe that the European crown might have ended up in north London.
Daniel O
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If that’s what he said then I can’t disagree with him. Our attack was as bland as…..
Sure Arsenal never never tested PSG in both legs. It was a walk in the park for PSG. Sometimes absolute numbers are misleading so we need to be careful not to arrive on conclusions based on numbers. The 1st leg should have ended by more than 2 goals esp of PSG’s goal attempts done in the 83rd and 84th minutes. Of all the 4 semi finalists everbody wanted to be paired v PSG but they humiliated their 2 opponents on the way to lifting their maiden title. On both occasions it was a cake walk for PSG. Enrique was too powerful for Arteta and Inzaghi.
And yet according to Arteta, we were the best side in Europe.
If a further 5 or so minutes were added for Villa at home v PSG, they could have stunned PSG and head to SFs but Arsenal could do nothing if half an hour was granted to them. Losing both legs home and away says it all for Arsenal 0 point while both Villa and Liverpool had wins a piece v PSG.
Rubbish. Arsenal have also beaten PSG this season.
PSG should be congratulated for winning the ties against us in the SF and for wining the tournament outright.
They are an excellent side and should be respected. However, this denigration of Arsenal is unwarranted.
I would say they were extremely lucky, they played us weakened playing either a wide player with no physicality or a midfielder up top. Donnaruma pulled off some great saves o er the 2 legs probably around 8-10.
We were missing one of the best CBs in Europe too. In comparison they scored 2 very lucky goals, one a scuffed shot and the other a massive deflection being the 2 forst strikes and most decisive and important goals of the ties. The reality is we were the more dominant, less clinical and unlucky side as well as being on the back of very poor officiating in both ties too.
It’s unfortunate that Enrique couldn’t admit he was lucky to have caught Arsenal weakened in a bad run of form and having referees in both fixtures go in PSGs favour. It’s a shame he hasn’t got more class to be honest being the amount of respect I used to have for him which is now gone.
I think PSG beat us when it mattered, and we were not able to overcome them. Congratulations to them for winning the CL, I hope we catch them again next year so we can return the favor.
Not bothered he did not mention Arsenal, we accomplished nothing in the end, they are the champs not us.
Perhaps we should actually win something if we want other clubs to talk glowingly about us, just a thought.
He probably thought the Stoke City style tactics were a big let down (i did) and didn’t think it was great tactics. Because they weren’t.