PARIS, France — Arsenal‘s hope for Champions League glory ended in disappointment as they fell 3-1 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the semi-final on May 7.
Despite a gallant effort, the Gunners were unable to overcome the first-leg deficit. PSG’s Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring with a stunning 27th-minute strike, while Achraf Hakimi doubled the lead with a goal in the 72nd minute. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka scored a late consolation in the 76th minute, but it was not enough, leaving the Parisians to celebrate their progression to the final.
Arsenal had come out fighting, pushing hard from the start, and they created numerous opportunities, but they could not find the back of the net early on. The youthful squad, led by manager Mikel Arteta, was lively and created chances, which included a header from Declan Rice that went just wide.
However, destiny had other plans. Just moments after Arsenal’s early surge, PSG took the lead when Fabián Ruiz found the bottom corner with a powerful shot, following a headed clearance from Thomas Partey. This goal added pressure on Arsenal, who needed to score twice to have any chance of progressing.
“We started really well, but it’s the small margins. If we scored one of those chances, the game changes,” said Rice, reflecting on their missed opportunities.
In a heart-stopping moment for the Gunners, PSG was awarded a penalty after VAR reviewed a handball by Myles Lewis-Skelly. However, their luck seemed to turn when Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya saved Vitinha’s poor penalty kick. But shortly after, Hakimi seized control and scored, leaving Arsenal in dire straits.
As the game wore on, Saka finally got Arsenal on the scoreboard with a well-taken goal. However, they quickly succumbed to despair as Saka missed a golden opportunity from just a few yards out that could have cut the deficit further.
<p“Our performance deserved a better outcome,” Arteta expressed post-game. “We created enough chances and controlled the game for long periods. But PSG’s goalkeeper was the difference.”
PSG now advances to face Inter Milan in the Champions League final at the Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31. The event sees a return to the final for PSG, who last participated in 2020.
Amid celebrations in the Parc des Princes, the focus remains on whether PSG can finally capture their long-sought Champions League title. “This is it for us. We’ve worked hard, and we’re ready to go for it now,” Ruiz stated confidently after the match.
On the other hand, Arsenal must regroup as they look to continue their push for a top-five finish in the Premier League and secure qualification for next season’s Champions League. The quest for silverware continues to elude them.
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