DistantNews
Support us
🇫🇷 France /Sports

PSG is the best team in the world: Arsenal coach Arteta gracious but annoyed by refereeing

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Arsenal's coach expressed pain and disappointment after losing the Champions League final to Paris SG in a penalty shootout.
  • He acknowledged PSG's superiority, calling them the best team in the world, but also criticized refereeing decisions, including a penalty awarded to PSG and the penalty shootout itself.
  • Despite the loss, he praised his team's incredible campaign and stated the need for more ambition and speed to reach the next level.

Arsenal's coach voiced deep disappointment following the Champions League final loss to Paris SG, a match decided by a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. "It's painful. We were so close. We touched the cup," he stated, reflecting on a campaign where his team had been undefeated until the final. He acknowledged PSG's strength, declaring them "the best team in the world," but also expressed frustration with officiating. "When there were decisions to make, they weren't for us, like the penalty on Madueke or the penalty shootout," he said, questioning the validity of a penalty awarded to PSG and the fairness of the shootout. He also commented on the missed penalty by Reiss Nelson, noting that while Bukayo Saka usually takes penalties, other players with different qualities were chosen after extra time, and they lacked the precision shown by PSG's players.

It's painful. We were so close. We touched the cup.

— Arsenal's coachReflecting on the Champions League final loss.

Despite the stinging defeat, the coach remained proud of his team's performance throughout the season. "I told the players and staff. Even if I thanked my staff a million times, it wouldn't be enough," he said. He emphasized the need to process the pain and use it as motivation for future aspirations. "We have to digest and swallow this pain and use it as fuel for another dream." He also thanked the fans for their unwavering support, acknowledging how they carried the team throughout the season.

I congratulate PSG, it's the best team in the world.

— Arsenal's coachAcknowledging PSG's superiority after the match.

Looking ahead, the coach indicated a need for significant changes and increased ambition. "I'm going to take days with my family and then we'll review the process. With very important decisions to make if we want to take the next step. We need more ambition, with more speed and intelligence," he explained. This suggests a strategic reassessment to elevate the team's performance and competitiveness in the future.

When there were decisions to make, they weren't for us, like the penalty on Madueke or the penalty shootout.

— Arsenal's coachExpressing frustration with the refereeing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog