Mikel Arteta opened his post-match press conference with a single word: “pain,” and it was a thoroughly apt summary of the night’s events.
Arsenal supporters filled Budapest airport in their hundreds, red and white shirts everywhere, catching early morning flights back to London after the devastating defeat.
The loss came on penalties, and the cruel irony was that the PSG goalkeeper did not save a single spot kick, yet Arsenal still found themselves on the losing side.
Gabriel Magalhaes was among those stepping up from the spot, a selection that raised questions, though Eberechi Eze also missed despite being arguably the team’s finest striker of the ball this season.
Kai Havertz once again vindicated his selection, producing a display that drew comparisons to his performances against Man City and Burnley throughout the campaign.
PSG’s quality in the middle third caused Arsenal genuine problems, and the author argues the opponent is too frequently discounted in post-match analysis of the Gunners.
Only penalties separated the two sides across 120 minutes and beyond, a fine margin that barely reflected the overall contest between two genuinely elite European sides.
Arteta’s post-match words, however, were viewed as carrying a clear and deliberate message pointing firmly toward the summer transfer window.
“We start to make some very important decisions if we want to reach another level,” Arteta said, setting the tone for what could be a decisive few months ahead for the club.
“And we’re going to have to show that ambition because we are more than capable of doing it, but it’s going to demand to be very, very ambitious, very fast and very smart.”
Anthony Gordon is reportedly gone, while Julian Alvarez, another player Arsenal had interest in, also appears to be heading elsewhere this summer.
The market for players capable of making a genuine difference at clubs like Arsenal is far from overflowing, making swift and precise decision-making absolutely essential.
Despite the heartbreak, there is a belief that another Champions League final will arrive far sooner than the gap between now and 2006 suggests.
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