Arsenal were left frustrated as they were unable to complete a historic comeback against PSG in midweek to secure a place in the Champions League final.
The Gunners had a mountain to climb after PSG won 1-0 in the first leg, putting Mikel Arteta’s side on the back foot.
A positive start from Arsenal wasn’t met with a goal, with the home side capitalising through Fabian Ruiz’s strike before half-time.
While PSG were awarded a controversial penalty to extend their lead, the chance was put down as Vitinha’s effort was saved by David Raya.
Achraf Hakimi’s effort doubled the lead shortly after, though, and proved enough to seal a win, even with Bukayo Saka’s late consolation goal.
It means Arsenal are now out of the Champions League and have plenty of reflection ahead of them.
Mikel Arteta says PSG claimed Arsenal were the better team
While it was a positive display from Arsenal at the Parc des Princes, they ultimately left empty-handed when returning to London.
The frustration may surround how things could have turned out, with plenty of opportunities missing for the Gunners.
While Thierry Henry claimed PSG were the deserved winners of the tie, the view in the French camp may be a little bit different.
That’s according to Mikel Arteta, with the Arsenal boss claiming that PSG staff and players told him that his side were better.
When asked if he thinks Arsenal were the better team, he told the press: “I think so, yeah. Especially for 160 minutes. They told us.”
When further questioned as to whether he meant PSG, he clarified that it was the case.
It reinforces a feeling that, perhaps, Arsenal were unlucky to go out when they had created enough to win the tie.
- READ MORE: Arsene Wenger says player Arsenal are ready to bid £55m for is an absolute ‘monster physically’
How Arsenal’s dressing room reacted to PSG defeat
With such a damaging defeat, there may be an acceptance that Arsenal’s season has come to a crashing halt.
The chances for silverware have gone, and while some Premier League games remain, it will feel like drifting towards the conclusion of a difficult season.
The frustration has been clear within the dressing room, as Mikel Arteta revealed after the PSG defeat: “Today I see how much they want it because they were in tears.”
It shows that there was no lack of effort or willingness from the players to get themselves over the line, nor a lack of belief they could get it done.
What they are lacking, however, will be up to Arteta and Andrea Berta to assess, with some huge decisions to be made over the summer transfer window.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
