The joy of Arsenal winning the Premier League title was dampened by the defeat in the Champions League final in Budapest.
The Gunners were the best team in the competition until the last game. Even then, they held their own against Paris Saint-Germain and barely conceded any big chances.
The Arsenal players and staff enjoyed themselves in the parade a day after the defeat against PSG, but we’re sure some part of them will still be hurting because of what happened in the final.
Two such players are David Raya and Martin Zubimendi, but Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has their backs.
Now that you’ve all had time to reflect, why did Arsenal lose the Champions League final?
Luis de la Fuente sends message to Martin Zubimendi and David Raya after Arsenal’s Champions League defeat
Raya was absolutely devastated after the loss in the Champions League final.
The Spaniard had been the best goalkeeper in the competition this campaign, and he even saved a penalty in the shootout in Budapest.
Yet, Arsenal could not get over the line, and that will affect any player, irrespective of their role in the final.
De la Fuente, however, is not going to let any of his players from that Arsenal side suffer and has revealed the brilliant message he is going to tell them.
He said, as per DAZN: “During my 15 years as a professional, I would have loved to lose 15 Champions League finals. Think about what I’m saying: to lose the final.
“Do you know what it means to be in a Champions League final and have the possibility of losing it? And then actually lose it on penalties? They should be incredibly proud. I’m proud of them.
“I would be proud to have achieved what they have: being Premier League champions, Champions League finalists, and having an outstanding season all around.
“I think they’ll come back very proud. I haven’t spoken with David or Martin, but I’ll tell them exactly the same thing this afternoon that I’m telling you now.”
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Arsenal players should not need too much consoling
Yes, losing the Champions League final will sting, but the Arsenal players should be able to bounce back fairly quickly.
The Gunners won the Premier League title after 22 long years and pushed the best team in the world right until the very end. They also made it into the quarter-final of the FA Cup and final of the Carabao Cup.
If this was done by any other team, everybody would be raving about them, but because it’s Arsenal, it has led to some ridicule from the usual suspects.
De la Fuente is spot on – this is a season to be proud of and everyone at Arsenal should be delighted with how it has gone.
We expect the players to be even more fired up next season.
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