Arteta consoling his players after their exit in the UEFA Champions League.
Image credit: ESPN UK
Arsenal’s dreams of reaching their first UEFA Champions League final since 2006 were dashed in Paris on Wednesday night, as Mikel Arteta’s side fell 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their semi-final clash.
The result confirmed a 3-1 aggregate victory for the French champions, who now march on to face Inter Milan in the final.
First-Half Setback
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg at the Emirates, Arsenal came out with urgency, dominating possession and pinning PSG back in the early stages.
However, it was the home side that struck first against the run of play.
Fabian Ruiz picked up a loose ball outside the area and fired a deflected shot past David Raya, doubling PSG’s aggregate lead and giving Arsenal a mountain to climb.
Clinical PSG Extend Lead
Things went from bad to worse shortly after the restart.
A defensive mix-up from Arsenal allowed Achraf Hakimi to pounce, coolly slotting home to make it 2-0 on the night and 3-0 over the two legs.
Despite Arsenal’s energetic pressing and high tempo, their inability to stay compact at the back proved costly.
A Glimmer of Hope
Bukayo Saka provided a lifeline for the Gunners midway through the second half, finishing a smart move to reduce the deficit.
The goal reignited belief within the Arsenal ranks, and they surged forward in waves.
A golden opportunity for PSG to seal the tie came when they were awarded a penalty, but David Raya produced a stunning save to deny Vitinha from the spot.
The save offered a momentary lifeline and kept Arsenal within reach, though their comeback ultimately fell short.
Donnarumma the Wall
Despite mounting pressure in the final stages, Arsenal could not find another way past PSG’s defense.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was immense, making several crucial saves—including a stunning reflex stop to deny Declan Rice late on.
His heroics earned him Man of the Match honors.
Final Whistle and Reflections
At full-time, PSG celebrated a hard-fought 3-1 aggregate win, while Arsenal were left to rue missed chances and defensive errors.
❌ FA Cup
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 7, 2025
❌ Carabao Cup
❌ Premier League
❌ Champions League
Arsenal will finish the season without winning a major trophy for the 5th year in a row 💔 pic.twitter.com/FrPkNGmDiV
Although the exit is painful, reaching the semi-finals marks a major milestone for Mikel Arteta’s young side in their European journey.
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