Mikel Arteta says there’s only one reason why Arsenal didn’t reach Champions League final last year, ‘it’s clear’

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Arsenal are determined to go all the way in the Champions League this season.

The Gunners are one step away from the semi-finals after beating Sporting CP 1-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. That puts them in a strong position to progress.

The North Londoners reached the same stage last season but were knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain, who went on to win the Champions League.

Now, Mikel Arteta has revealed what he believes was the only reason behind that defeat – Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Agree or disagree, winning the Champions League but NOT the Premier League would not be enough this season

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Mikel Arteta says Gianluigi Donnarumma is the reason Arsenal lost to PSG

Arsenal faced PSG in the semi-finals last season and were confident going into the tie.

Arteta’s men had already beaten the French giants earlier in the campaign. They won 2-0 at the Emirates without really having to break a sweat.

However, PSG won 1-0 in North London in the first leg of the semi-finals and followed it up with a 2-1 victory in Paris to knock Arsenal out.

Arteta believes things would have been very different if not for Donnarumma producing two exceptional performances against the Gunners.

He said in his press conference, as relayed on HaytersTV: “Maintaining clean sheets and not allowing goals to go in, that wins you championships and big trophies.

“You have the best example last year with PSG. If Donnarumma is not there, we are probably in the final of the Champions League. That’s clear!”

Stats show Arsenal deserved more against PSG last season

Looking at the numbers, there is a strong argument that Arsenal were unlucky over the two legs.

In the first game, Arsenal had an xG of 1.69 compared to PSG’s 1.23, yet still lost 1-0. In the second leg, PSG had an xG of 1.85, while Arsenal created chances worth 3.42.

Across both matches, Arsenal’s total xG stood at 5.11 compared to PSG’s 3.08. Despite that, the Gunners lost the tie 3-1 on aggregate.

Donnarumma made eight saves across the two games, including several outstanding stops. He was the reason why PSG won both fixtures.

Those numbers support Arteta’s claim that the goalkeeper made the difference. If it weren’t for him, Arsenal might well have gone on to become European champions last season.